The Possible Consequences of a Conviction for DUI or DWI
In Maryland, as in other states, when you have been arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence (DUI) or while impaired (DWI), you will be subjected to both an administrative proceeding and a criminal prosecution. The administrative proceeding will be conducted by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), whereas the criminal prosecution will take place in the state court system.
The purpose of the administrative hearing is to determine the status of your driving privileges. You must request a hearing with the MVA within thirty days of your arrest or your license will automatically be suspended. Furthermore, if you don’t want your license suspended before the administrative hearing, you must ask for the review within 10 days of the traffic stop. In some situations, in lieu of suspension, you may ask the court to allow you to participate in the state’s ignition interlock program. The judge will have the discretion to grant or deny that request.
The objective of the criminal prosecution is to establish guilt or innocence and determine criminal sanctions. The penalties for conviction may include fines of $500 to $5,000, as well as jail/prison terms ranging from two months to five years.
AV-Rated Maryland DUI/DWI Defense Lawyer
Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has more than three decades of experience successfully protecting the rights of DWI/DUI defendants across the Baltimore metro area and the state of Maryland. He has been awarded an AV-rating (the highest rating possible) under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System by fellow members of the Maryland bar every year since 1988. He has also been listed among the top 100 lawyers in Maryland listed by SuperLawyers as well as a Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine. He has holds Martindale- Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, awarded to less than 4% of all attorneys listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s directory.
Over the past 30+ years, attorney Smith has successfully handled the defense of a wide range of criminal charges, including allegations of DUI and DWI. He will aggressively protect your constitutional rights and fully investigate your case to determine whether police and prosecutors follow proper procedures when gathering evidence. He’ll carefully interview all potential witnesses, so that he can prepare and present the most compelling arguments in your defense at trial.
Attorney Smith has been listed among the top 100 attorneys in Maryland by the National Trial Lawyers Association, a “by invitation only” professional organization. He holds a 10.0 (Superb) rating as a trial attorney from AVVO, as well as AVVO’s Client’s Choice Award, with an average client review of 5 stars.
Results-Oriented Maryland DWI/DUI Defense Attorney
Contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 for an appointment. We represent criminal defendants in Carroll County, Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
In many states, the terms “DUI” and “DWI” are used interchangeably to refer to virtually any charge involving 
