Anne Arundel CountyCalvert CountyCharles CountyDUIPrince George's CountySt Mary's CountyFacing DUI Charges in Southern Maryland Counties

Being arrested for DUI in Southern Maryland can turn your life upside down.

In Maryland a DUI (blood alcohol ≥ 0.08%) or DWI (impaired, BAC .07–.079) is a misdemeanor crime with serious penalties.

Even a first offense can mean jail time, steep fines, license suspension and other penalties.

Insurance premiums typically double – the average Maryland driver’s rate jumps from $1,746 to $3,186 after a DUI.

Because the stakes are so high, having an experienced criminal defense lawyer like Jonathan L. Haskell can make a big difference in protecting your rights and driving privileges.

Maryland DUI/DWI Laws and Criminal Penalties

Maryland law defines two levels of impaired driving. Driving While Impaired (DWI) covers a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .07–.079, while Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a BAC of .08 or higher.

Drivers under age 21 face zero tolerance: any detectable alcohol is illegal. It’s also unlawful to drive impaired by drugs or controlled substances.

If convicted of a DUI or DWI, you face criminal penalties under Maryland law.

The state maximums for first and repeat offenses are:

• First DWI (BAC .07–.079): Up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
• First DUI (BAC ≥ .08): Up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine (though many first offenders receive much less).
• Second DUI (within 5 years): Mandatory minimum of 5 days in jail, up to 2 years in prison, and a $2,000 fine.
• Third DUI: Up to 3 years in prison and a $3,000 fine.
• Subsequent DWI: Up to 1 year in jail and $500 fine.

Importantly, all DUI/DWI penalties increase if a minor (under 16) was in the vehicle.

For example, driving impaired with a child aboard carries mandatory longer jail terms (5 days to 10 years) and higher fines.

Convicted drivers also face probation, community service, and required alcohol education or ignition interlock orders at the judge’s discretion.

Maryland’s law allows judges to tailor sentences, but the maximum fines and jail times above set the outer limits.

Maryland Administrative (MVA) Penalties

Separately from criminal charges, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) imposes automatic license sanctions when you fail or refuse a breath/blood test. When stopped for suspected DUI, the officer confiscates your driver’s license on the spot and issues a 45-day temporary permit. On day 46 after the arrest, an MVA suspension takes effect unless you have successfully contested it.

The length of the MVA suspension depends on the test result and your history:

• BAC .08–.14 (first offense): 180-day license suspension.

• BAC ≥ .15 (first offense): 180-day suspension (rising to 1 year if a fatality was involved).

• Test refusal (first offense): 270-day suspension.

• Second or subsequent offense: 270-day or 2-year suspension depending on BAC/refusal.

• Commercial license (CDL) drivers: First DUI/DWI = 1-year CDL disqualification (two DUIs = lifetime CDL ban) – effectively a job disqualification.

You have only 30 days to request an administrative hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings, and must do so within 10 days of the stop if you want to keep driving until the hearing.

Failing to timely request the hearing means your license is automatically suspended on day 46 after arrest. Because of these strict deadlines, your attorney will make sure a hearing is requested immediately.

At the hearing, the MVA must prove the stop and test procedures were lawful; an attorney can challenge errors in how the officer conducted the test or administered your rights.

In some cases, drivers opt into Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program to drive during suspension, but avoiding suspension altogether is best achieved by early legal intervention.

Collateral Consequences of a DUI

Beyond penalties in court and at the MVA, a DUI conviction brings lasting collateral effects:

• Insurance Hikes: Insurers view DUIs as high risk. In Maryland the average auto premium jumps by about $1,440 after one DUI. Post-conviction rates can more than double for years. Shopping around or taking defensive driving courses can help, but expect steep hikes.
• Driver’s License Points: Maryland adds 12 points to your record for a DUI conviction (DWI = 8 points). Since 12 points triggers an automatic suspension, a DUI alone will revoke your license under Maryland’s point system.
• Employment and Background Checks: Many employers run background checks. A DUI often shows up and can raise concerns, especially if your job involves driving or security clearance. Maryland attorneys note that most civilian jobs aren’t automatically lost over a misdemeanor DUI, but positions requiring a clean record or a driver’s license (e.g. trucking, school bus drivers, government security) may end in termination. For commercial drivers, losing your CDL for a year (or more) usually means losing that job. Even if you keep your current job, future employers may screen out candidates with a DUI on record.
• Educational and Professional Licenses: Some professional licensing boards or student housing programs frown on criminal records. A DUI could complicate applications for teacher licensure, loans, or immigration benefits, for example.

Fortunately, Maryland allows Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) for many first-offense DUIs. With a PBJ, the court withholds entering a conviction if you complete probation. Effectively you can truthfully state you have no DUI conviction on your record, and insurance companies typically will not raise rates if a PBJ is granted. An experienced DUI lawyer will work to get a PBJ or other alternative disposition when possible, which greatly reduces collateral harm.

County-Specific DUI Procedures and Enforcement

All four counties – St. Mary’s, Prince George’s, Charles, and Calvert – follow the same Maryland DUI laws (they comprise the 7th Judicial Circuit). However, practical differences can arise in local courts and enforcement:

• St. Mary’s County: DUI cases here begin in the 4th District Court (Charlotte Hall/Leonardtown area) and appeal to the 7th Circuit in Calvert County. St. Mary’s has intensified DUI enforcement in recent years: arrests rose 12% from 2021–2022. The Sheriff’s Office and State Police conduct sobriety checkpoints and high-visibility patrols regularly. Local judges often see DUI cases and some may offer diversion programs for first offenders. Attorney Haskell’s familiarity with St. Mary’s prosecutors and judges helps him negotiate the best outcome.
• Charles County: District Court in La Plata and the 7th Circuit preside over Charles DUI cases. Charles County’s Sheriff explicitly runs year-round impaired driving patrols and checkpoints through federal safety grants. Charles also participates in Maryland’s “Zero Deaths” highway safety programs. Charles courts have probation programs but take repeat offenses seriously. An attorney experienced in Charles County knows which judges handle DUI cases and how to argue for pretrial diversion or PBJ.
• Prince George’s County: As Maryland’s most populous jurisdiction, PG County Police have dedicated Special Operations DUI teams. DUI cases are filed in the 5th District Court (Upper Marlboro) and appealed to the 7th Circuit. PG’s courts process large DUI dockets, and judges are accustomed to these cases. Enforcement tends to be strict near nightlife areas (Downtown PG and College Park). Attorney Haskell, who practices in Prince George’s, knows local procedures like MVA hearing locations and typical prosecutor demands, which aids in building a strong defense.
• Calvert County: Calvert’s District Court (Prince Frederick) and its Circuit Court handle DUI cases. Like St. Mary’s, Calvert has funded expanded late-night patrols and DUI task forces. Calvert judges sometimes operate a DUI Alcohol Education Program for first offenders. The county’s proximity to busy bridges means checkpoints are common on weekends. A local lawyer will understand Calvert’s DUI programs and how to negotiate with its State’s Attorney’s Office.

In all four counties, the initial traffic stop and evidence gathering must meet Maryland’s legal standards. Local sheriff and police procedures (such as video recording or use of passive alcohol sensors) can vary, so a lawyer familiar with county practices can spot flaws.

Across Southern Maryland, the same MVA hearing rules apply (request within 10 days to postpone suspension). An attorney will file that hearing and represent you so you don’t accidentally lose your license on autopilot.

The Importance of Experienced DUI Defense

A DUI case involves two parallel processes – the criminal court case and the administrative MVA case – each with strict deadlines and technical rules. A skilled defense attorney like Jonathan L. Haskell will:

• Challenge Police Procedures: Lawyers routinely review whether the officer had legal reason for the stop, if sobriety tests were administered correctly, and whether chemical test machines were calibrated. Even common field tests have limitations. Challenging these points can lead to evidence being thrown out.
• Protect Your License: Many drivers miss the 10-day window to request an MVA hearing, causing automatic suspension. Attorney Haskell will file that hearing request immediately so you can keep driving until the case concludes. He’ll also argue vigorously at the hearing to avoid or minimize the suspension period.
• Negotiate and Mitigate: Local knowledge is crucial. Attorney Haskell understands each county’s courts and can negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, alternative programs, or probation before judgment (PBJ) when eligible. For example, first-offense DUI clients often aim for PBJ to avoid a conviction or a “Supervised Probation” that limits jail.
• Handle Plea or Trial: If the case goes to trial, a defense lawyer will present evidence for your innocence or mitigate the impact. If a plea is in your best interest, Haskell will still ensure any agreement (such as probation, substance abuse treatment, or interlock) is fair and clear.

Given the permanent consequences of a DUI conviction – loss of driving privileges, higher insurance, criminal record – you need an attorney who knows the law and knows the local system.

Jonathan L. Haskell, Esq., has years of experience defending DUI and traffic cases throughout Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties. His firm’s aggressive approach means every angle will be examined: Was the breath test machine functioning properly? Did the officer violate your rights? Could we argue for alternative sentencing like DUI Court or probation? Clients benefit from his track record of getting charges reduced or dismissed when possible, and keeping cases off their record whenever the law allows.

Facing a DUI charge in Southern Maryland is daunting, but you don’t have to go it alone. With the right lawyer, you stand a better chance of protecting your license and minimizing penalties.

Contact experienced DUI attorney Jonathan L. Haskell today to review your case and explore your options – time is of the essence to preserve your driving privileges and defend your future.