Penalties For a Third Offense DUI in Baltimore

For a third-offense DUI, the maximum penalty someone can face is three years and $3,000 (in comparison with one year and $1,000 for a first offense or two years and $2,000 for a second offense). The penalties continue to increase with each prior conviction or prior probation before judgment, which makes it even more important that a Baltimore third offense DUI lawyer is contacted as soon as possible. Those charged may also face a suspension of their driving license and be required to install an ignition interlock device in certain cases.

Driver’s License After a 3rd Offense

As with the other penalties, your license restrictions also depend on the time between offenses and whether you currently have any restrictions on your license from a DUI or anything else. The score of the breath test also matters, as does a number of other variables that come into play.

In certain cases you may be eligible for a restricted license or an ignition interlock system as well in order to drive certain places such as school or work.

Challenging a License Suspension

There’s no difference in the way that you challenge a license suspension on your third DUI, except of course that the stakes are greatly increased. You may very well have ignition interlock imposed on you indefinitely should you want to drive. With that said, the process for challenging the suspension is the same.

Aggravating Factors

One thing that makes a big difference in third offense DUI cases is the amount of time between the DUI charges. If the individual charged had their first two charges 20 years ago, it’s been so long that it may not factor heavily into sentencing. Avoiding further DUIs for more than 10 years makes you eligible for probation before judgement, as it shows a sign of change and maturity over time. On the other hand if your third offense happens right after your first two, then the court will likely take that into account and your penalties will be harsher than what you have already faced.

Other Penalties Enhancers

There are penalty enhancers for a third-offense DUI, increasing the maximum penalty from one year in jail to three years and the maximum fine of $1,000 to $3,000. The possibility of other factors such as an accident, substantive erratic driving or a case of eluding law enforcement can certainly result in additional charges being brought against you.

An aggravating factor might be if there were other people, especially minors, in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Also, the total breath or blood score that comes in can be an aggravating factor if the number is very high.