What to Do After a DUI Arrest in Baltimore
The shock of a DUI arrest may leave you worried about what may happen to you if you get charged and convicted.
However, prompt action can help you seek a resolution to your case that avoids the worst consequences.
You can protect your interests after a DUI arrest in Baltimore by exercising your right to remain silent, filing a request for a hearing to challenge an administrative suspension of your license, and, most importantly, consulting with an attorney about the options in your case.
Immediate Steps to Take After a DUI Arrest in Baltimore
You can put yourself in a more favorable position to deal with DUI charges by taking prompt action to avoid legal consequences.
Here are some steps after a DUI arrest that can help you protect your rights and seek a positive resolution to your case:
- Contact our DUI defense lawyers as soon as possible to have a counselor and advocate by your side.
- Request a hearing with the Motor Vehicle Administration within 10 days of your arrest if you refused or failed a chemical test.
- Review paperwork to confirm your court date.
- Refrain from discussing your case with anyone other than your lawyer.
Will You Lose Your Driver’s License After a DUI Arrest?
If you’ve recently been arrested on suspicion of DUI, you may be wondering, “Do you lose your driver’s license for a DUI?” First, you may lose your driver’s license through an administrative suspension.
Maryland law requires suspensions for drivers who refuse a chemical test after a DUI arrest or who fail a chemical test by having drugs in their system or a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or more.
You might also face an additional revocation of your driver’s license if you’re convicted of DUI.
What to Expect During Your Baltimore DUI Court Process
Criminal charges for DUI start the legal process. First, you will make an initial appearance in court to enter a plea to your charge.
The court will determine the conditions of your bail. You will receive a scheduled trial date if you plead not guilty. Before trial, you and your attorney can obtain the prosecution’s evidence file.
Prosecutors may also offer probation before judgment as an alternative to a trial and conviction.
How to Prepare for Your DUI Court Case
It’s important to be fully prepared before you appear in court on your DUI charge. To get ready for a hearing or trial in your DUI case, you should:
- Confirm the date, time, and location of your trial.
- Gather any records or documents you plan to use to support your defense.
- Talk to your DUI lawyer about what will happen in court and what you may need to do. Your lawyer can also advise you on whether you should testify in your defense and help you prepare.
Common Mistakes People Make After a DUI Arrest
Some of the common mistakes that DUI offenders make after getting arrested for a DUI offense include:
- Talking to the police: People who think they can “talk their way” out of a DUI charge may instead end up saying things to officers that the prosecution can later use as evidence.
- Immediately pleading guilty: Drivers may plead guilty, assuming they have no way to fight their charge. However, a driver may have certain defense strategies available to them, depending on the facts and circumstances of their case.
- Not consulting an attorney: An experienced DUI lawyer can review the facts and evidence in a case to identify potential defenses a driver may have against an administrative driver’s license suspension or a DUI charge.
Why You Should Consider Hiring a Baltimore DUI Lawyer
A DUI arrest can put you at risk of serious consequences, including suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, driving record points, fines, and jail time.
As a result, you should consider hiring a DUI attorney to protect your rights and help you fight for the best possible result under the circumstances of your case. A lawyer can investigate your arrest for evidence that may help build a defense.
A lawyer can also advise you on your options for resolving your charges and help you make informed decisions after your arrest and during a DUI prosecution.
At Greenberg Law Offices, we have years of experience representing clients in Baltimore facing criminal charges.
As this testimonial from a former client says:
I’d like to give a special thanks to the Greenberg Law Firm for representing my son’s case which resulted in a “Not Guilty”. This law firm is second to none with superior professional, experience, and expertise counsel which result in exceptional results. Three “The Hard Way” team Larry, Matt, and Ethan. Our family is very satisfied with your services provided thanks again continue the great work.
Disclaimer: past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Arrests in Baltimore
Examples of questions that we hear from clients facing prosecution for DUI in Baltimore MD include:
Can you expunge a record of a DUI arrest?
Maryland DUI laws do not permit expungement of records in cases that result in a DUI conviction.
However, if your case does not result in conviction, you may have the option to expunge the record of your DUI arrest. When you get a DUI charge dismissed or obtain an acquittal at trial, you can request expungement after three years (or immediately if you sign a general release and waiver of claims you might have against the state).
If you resolve a DUI charge via probation before judgment (PBJ), you can request expungement of your arrest record after 15 years if you have not committed any new offenses in that time.
What happens if I refused a breathalyzer test or a blood draw after my arrest?
Under Maryland’s implied consent law, every driver must submit to a chemical test of their breath or blood if requested by the police after a DUI arrest.
Although the police cannot physically force you to take a test, refusing testing can lead to administrative sanctions under the implied consent law, including a driver’s license suspension. A first refusal will impose a 270-day suspension, while a second or subsequent refusal can lead to a two-year suspension.
Should I talk to the police or answer the officers’ questions?
You should refrain from speaking with the police after a DUI arrest. Although you might feel compelled to “clear things up” to avoid prosecution, the state can use anything you say to the police as evidence against you.
You should consult an experienced DUI defense attorney before speaking to the police or answering their questions.
Contact Our Baltimore DUI Attorneys Today
Have you been arrested on suspicion of DUI in Baltimore?
If so, contact Greenberg Law Offices today for a free case evaluation with a knowledgeable Baltimore DUI lawyer to discuss your charges and learn how we can help you fight for the best possible resolution to a DUI prosecution.
Our law firm has years of experience helping those facing DUI and DWI charges avoid serious penalties.