Experienced DWI Lawyer in Maryland
It is important to learn the possible consequences that you are about to encounter due to a DWI charge, even before you consider hiring a DWI lawyer Harford, MD citizens respect. A variety of factors impact the process of determining the punishment for DWI cases. This includes the person’s previous conviction history as well as their blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the accident.
What is a DWI?
A DUI or DWI stands for “driving under the influence” or “driving while intoxicated.” Unfortunately, it is all too common for people to overindulge in alcohol without realizing how much they have consumed, and then get behind the wheel. If you are pulled over by an officer who suspects you have been drinking, you may be asked to participate in one or more of the following:
- Field Sobriety Test
- Blood Testing
- Breathalyzer
Following this, the officer will make a determination regarding your sobriety. Based on these tests, if they obtain enough evidence to prove you were drinking and driving, you could be charged with a DUI or DWI and even arrested. The nationwide standard to be charged with a DUI is a BAC of .08% or higher. It is important for drivers to educate themselves regarding the appropriate amount of alcohol they can safely consume prior to getting behind the wheel. If you suspect that you have had too much to drink, it’s important to engage in alternative modes of transportation.
It is important to remember that you may not always be jailed for this crime as the punishment for driving while intoxicated varies a great degree – from fines to probation to jail time. Other penalties for a DWI charge could be suspension and temporary revocation of your driving license. Loss of license happens in many cases and some drivers may lose their license just because they refused to take a breathalyzer test.
The worst mistake many convicted drivers make is a delay in hiring a DWI lawyer in Harford, MD. The more you delay, the more you may be increasing the chances of getting convicted with severe penalties. If you wait too long to hire a DWI lawyer and too much time passes, you can lose evidence and lose contact with the witnesses who could have defended you in court.
Hiring a dedicated and highly experienced DWI lawyer Harford, MD citizens are proud of having can be important. If you hire someone who occasionally practices DWI cases, they may not invest enough time, talent, and strategy toward your case as they may not have a good amount of experience. Some people rely on suggestions from friends and families only, whereas a legal professional can provide guidance from their own legal experience. Our lawyers bring a great amount of compassion and care to each and every case, and treat each case with a specific diligence and commitment.
Subsequent DUI or DWI Charges
Facing the consequences of a DUI charge can not only be time consuming, but it can also come with its fair share of stressors. For those with a previous DUI conviction on their record, subsequent charges can be far more severe in a second conviction. Facing significant consequences from a DUI can feel incredibly overwhelming, especially because courts are far less forgiving of a second or third offense. A DUI lawyer will be useful in guiding you through a DUI charge, especially if this is not your first DUI charge. The consequences can be wide-reaching, making it all the more important for you to reach out to an attorney in Harford MD with experience in representing DUI cases.
A DWI is considered a serious charge due to its potentially deadly consequences. The increasing number of DWI charges in the United States is important to note as well. At least 1.28 million people were charged with a DWI case in the year of 2012 in the United States – i.e. one person in every 165 licensed drivers was charged and arrested in the US for driving while intoxicated. If you have found yourself in a similar situation, it may be in your best interest to contact a Harford DWI lawyer as soon as possible.
Multiple Offenses
It’s never favorable to receive multiple DUI convictions. The severity can range depending on the state you live in, the climate of the courtroom, and the judge who will oversee the case. While a DUI conviction can have a significant impact on your life, a subsequent DUI conviction can be even more damaging. The consequences of a DWI or DUI conviction can vary depending on whether it is your first, second, or third offense:
- First Offense: Although it’s possible that you may face jail time, it’s far less likely in first offense DUIs. However, if your DUI resulted in an accident in which you injured another person, you could be facing more severe charges. It’s likely that you will be facing fines, attorney’s fees, loss of license, and increased insurance rates.
- Second Offense: Subsequent DUIs can result in far more severe penalties. You are still likely to experience jail time, license suspension, and fines. In addition to this, you could be sentenced to more jail time, be required to engage in alcohol awareness classes, and even required to seek medical treatment. You may be put on probation as well. In some situations a device could be installed in your car, known as an ignition interlock device. An IIG requires that you measure your BAC prior to driving your vehicle.
- Third Offense: Facing a third offense can be scary. This is largely due to the fact that the severity of a third offense can have incredible ramifications if convicted. This is especially true if your third offense is obtained within a certain time period following your second offense. You could be sentences to several years in jail. Your license could be suspended for a lengthier period of time, you could lose your vehicle and the fines you are required to pay could be higher.
If you’ve been charged with a drunk driving offense, you may be interested in hiring a DUI lawyer Harford MD drivers trust to strategize difficult cases. They should have a good gauge on the consequences you could be facing based on their knowledge of local legislation and local courts.
Contact the Greenberg Law Offices
When hiring a DWI lawyer, Harford, MD residents should look for, it is important you find an attorney you can trust and that can advocate for you during this challenging time. A DWI can be a serious charge, which is why you want to ensure you are in good hands and that you have an advocate on your side that is fighting for your rights. If you are looking for an experienced DWI lawyer Harford, MD can offer, contact us for your free consultation today.
Consequences of DWI Accidents in Maryland
A good DWI lawyer in Harford, MD understands that, for a person who has gotten behind the wheel after drinking, they put not only themselves, but others at risk. The consequences of a DWI can be significant and will impact not only the driver but also the victim should an accident occur. Understanding both the consequences for the driver and accident victims can be helpful when facing the aftermath of a drunk driving accident.
Driving While Intoxicated/Impaired (DWI)
When a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is above .08, they may be charged with a DWI. Driving while intoxicated is a criminal offense. In most cases it is a misdemeanor, even with a talented DWI lawyer serving Harford, MD, however, if the person driving also caused a car accident as result, the charge may raise in severity. The consequences of driving while impaired can be disastrous. Not only may a driver have to live with the guilt and shame of injuring another person if they caused an accident, there can be other additional consequences such as:
- Facing criminal proceedings
- Loss or suspension of their driver’s license
- A permanent mark on their record
- Expenses in the form of fines and legal fees
- Jail Time
- Additional legal entanglements should an accident victim seek compensation for damages
- Be required to have an Ignition Interlock Device installed in their vehicle for a period of time.
A DWI lawyer for Harford, MD can tell you that the best way to avoid a DWI is to plan accordingly when consuming alcohol. Driving after consuming alcohol will likely always put a driver and others on the road at risk for the occurrence of an accident.
Consequences for Victims
Accident victims stand to lose the most from an accident that resulted from someone who was driving while intoxicated. For an accident victim, it can be incredibly frustrating and anger inducing for a victim to face consequences that could have been 100% preventable if alcohol had not been involved.
Property Loss
An accident can result in property loss or expenses from repairing a vehicle. In some cases, a victim may even find that their car is completely irreparable (totaled) as a result of the accident. Loss of use is another type of loss you may have should you be unable to use your vehicle during the repair period or because it has been totaled.
Injury
Injuries from a car accident can range in terms of severity. Some of the most common types of injuries that Harford, MD DWI lawyers see accident victims suffer from include:
- Whiplash
- Brain Injuries
- Knee Injuries
- Lacerations
- Fractures
- Musculoskeletal Injuries
Financial Loss
The financial impact experienced by a victim of a car accident can be great. There are a number of reasons why. If a victim’s vehicle is inoperable, they may face expenses should they need to have their vehicle repaired or replaced entirely. Injuries from an accident may result in the need for medical treatment which is likely to produce medical bills. Should an injury result in a person needing to take the time away from work to recover, they may also suffer from lost wages.
The consequences to a victim can feel incredibly unfair. Should you find that you are facing damages as a result of an accident caused by a drunk driver, consult with a DWI lawyer working in Harford, MD immediately, they may be able to help you take action.
It may be wise for victims of a car accident caused by an intoxicated driver to contact a car accident attorney. Chances are you have faced not only financial loss, but also physical injuries that could require expensive medical treatments. A DWI lawyer serving Harford, MD may help victims obtain compensation for the losses they have suffered as a result.
Client Review
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