Access Maryland DWI Information

In Maryland, the charges for DWI bear serious consequences. DWI or Driving While Intoxicated is the highest of all alcohol infractions. When the police officer holds you and take your chemical test, if the result touches or crosses 0.08% BAC or Blood Alcohol Content, then you will be charged for Maryland DWI. Severity of the offense can be marked by the fact that immediately twelve points are added to your license along with the revocation of driver license on the spot.

DWI is a very common yet hazardous traffic violation. Penalty is based upon the frequency of offenses made and the driving records. The penalties include monetary fine, imprisonment, counseling and attending traffic schools. On attending and completing the course with success, the perpetrators are allowed to have their DWI offense record wiped off the database.

Maryland DWI Record Search

If you want to look for your DWI record, visit http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/inquiry-index.jsp. Here, you will get the basic information on the case which includes name, city and state of the offense committed, birth date, case number, charges imposed, trial date and the case disposition. The website mentioned holds the data of all the cases originated in the Circuit Court and District Court System everyday and are available the next day.

Viewing the driving records will also enable you to check your own DWI offenses. This can be done online by logging in to https://secure.marylandmva.com/eMVAServices/ . the specified request form can also be obtained online and you will have to submit the completed form along with the requisite fee amount at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration located at 6601 Ritchie Highway NE, Room 145, Glen Burnie, MD 21062.

The State of Maryland also permits insurance companies and other business organizations to secure the driving records of another person by subscribing to the Maryland motor vehicles services online. You can gain additional information by e-mailing the department at drivingrecords@mdot.state.md.us. Employers who wish to obtain the DWI records of more than one employee can do so by submitting the multiple record forms.

Maryland DWI Laws and Penalties

Imprisonment period is one year for the first time offenders and two years for the second time offenders. This can come along with probation too, for both the cases. The fines that you need to pay for DWI are $1000 if it is your first offense and $2000 if it is your second offense in five to ten years. There can be even severe penalties if the drunken driving causes any crash resulting into damage to the property or physical harm to somebody. In that case the fine amount rises to $4000 and imprisonment term to four years. This amount does not include the court and administrative fees. Above all, there is a huge cost of attorney fee. DWI cases require specialized attorneys. Thus one such offense means an expenditure of $10,000.

Before the criminal proceedings start, you need to appear for MVA hearings which take place before criminal actions. In the presence of your lawyer, the judge will determine whether to revoke complete driving privileges, given temporary driving permit or full rights to drive should rest with you. However, this decision is applicable till your criminal hearing takes place. Once the arraignment procedure starts, you will be asked whether you will plea guilty or not guilty. Usually, the defendants plea guilty and are given PBJ or Probation Before Judgment. If you plea not-guilty, you will be given different dates of initial hearings, pre-trial motions and then the date for a trial. The first time DWI offender can opt for plea bargain to lower down the charge to DUI which is considered lesser level of alcohol infraction.

In August 2005, a law has been passed which enables the police to arrest a driver with 0.08% or above BAC even if no other evidences can be obtained for driving imparity. According to the laws of Maryland DWI, the bottom line for BAC is 0.08% and Zero Tolerance law is 0.02%. Zero Tolerance means the laws which are meant for the young drivers who are not yet legally allowed to consume alcohol. According to this set of laws, if a driver under 21 is hold for DWI and BAC is above 0.00% to 0.02%, then he or she is arrested. There is another clause called enhanced penalty. This is for the drivers who have been held for driving with higher BAC level up to 0.20%. These offenders are given harsher penalties. Their sentences are of increased time to be spent in jail, higher amounts to be paid as fine and the license sanction regulations are stricter for them.

The Maryland DWI does not allow to carry a minor in car with intoxication or when under influence. If a driver is held with DWI charges and minor is found in the car, penalties become stricter. The penalties for DWI include mandatory attending alcohol education program as well as other programs related to treatment or assessment. There can be mandatory attendance in the DUI Prevention Programs and assessment programs if alcohol dependency is found in you. As per the Maryland laws, alcohol education program of twelve hours must be attended to regain the revoked license. And in case of alcohol dependency, a mandatory intensive therapy of twenty six hours will be undertaken for you.

When your license is suspended, you are eligible to apply for a restricted license which allows you to drive from home to work and back. Installation of interlock system can also help you regain your driving rights. In certain cases, you may get a reinstatement. If you get one, you can reapply for the license. For an alcohol-related incident, you will be asked for interlock installation or else, you will need a hearing. As mentioned before, Maryland is very strict about DWI and DUI laws. Being so close to DC, the stringent laws make more sense. So even when you get your license back, the state puts alcohol restriction on it. This is state’s own way of monitoring your driving records and your take on drunk driving. It will take at least three years to make you eligible to apply Administrative Adjudication Division of MVA to get this tag removed from your license.

It is easier to get your license reinstated if it is revoked compared to remove the alcohol restriction from your license. As a first time offender of Maryland DWI, you are eligible for re-application for the license within six months to one year. Once you get it make sure you don’t commit the same mistake again because multiple or habitual offenders are least likely to get the license reinstated again.