Most people who are arrested and charged with a DUI worry about the impact it’s going to have on their life. After all, they are facing serious penalties and will have a criminal record if they are convicted. If it’s their second or subsequent DUI within a five year period, they are looking at even more severe penalties. However, hiring a DUI Attorney in Salisbury MD could help them have the charges dismissed.
Potential Penalties for a DUI
For a first offense, the person faces up to a year in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, and a license suspension of a minimum of six months if they are convicted. Being convicted of a second offense means the person can face up to two years in jail, up to $2,000 in fines, a one-year license suspension, and the requirement of an IID (Interlock Ignition Device) in their vehicle once they are able to drive again. Further DUI convictions result in even more harsh penalties and a person can be convicted of a second or subsequent DUI if the previous ones happened within a five year period.
Possible Defenses for a DUI
A person will need to hire a DUI Attorney in Salisbury MD to see what possible defenses will apply to their case. There are typically two different defenses, insufficient evidence and inaccurate chemical testing. Insufficient evidence typically comes into play when the officer did not have probable cause to stop a person and inaccurate chemical testing comes into play when the results from the BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) test is successfully contested. A lawyer could also recommend attempting to plea bargain down to a wet reckless charge, which is still a guilty plea but doesn’t come with as severe of penalties if a person takes this plea.
Anyone who has been arrested and charged with a DUI, even if it’s their first offense, will want to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to find out what defenses might apply in their case and to learn more about the penalties they are facing. A lawyer can look into the evidence to determine if any of the above defenses are a possibility. For more information, visit website.
