As our nation’s laws have evolved over the decades, so have laws on drinking and driving. Soon after motorized vehicles gained popularity, the nation’s first DUI laws were enacted in the 1910s. While early DUI laws made drunk driving illegal in certain states, they did not explain how much was too much to drink or how to measure impairment by alcohol.
Over the following decades, road safety became a greater concern, and more states started implementing laws against drunk driving. If you were arrested and charged with DUI under Maryland’s current laws, you should know your full legal rights and options. Here, we’ll discuss more about how DUI laws came to exist in the first place.
The Beginning of Drunk Driving Laws
Efforts to curb drunk driving started almost as soon as cars became widely available. New York and California led the way in the 1910s. However, it was not until the 1930s that methods for measuring blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) were developed. However, BAC testing was not widely used, and roadside breathalyzer tests were still decades away from everyday use. In states that made drunk driving illegal, it was up to a police officer’s judgment whether a person was too intoxicated to drive or not.
Most states were slow to follow New York’s lead. Change came in bits and pieces, with rising public pressure in the 1970s and 1980s to make driving while intoxicated a crime. The tragic death of a teenager caused by a drunk driver led to the formation of MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Driving. This organization’s grassroots efforts and nationwide political pressure led to changes in drunk driving laws.
Modern Drunk Driving Laws
It was not until 1988 that drunk driving became illegal in all 50 states. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act made age 21 the minimum age to drink alcohol, and established .08% BAC as the legal minimum to prove intoxication behind the wheel. Maryland joined all other states in following these guidelines in 1988.
Since the 1990s, states have implemented additional rules and regulations against drunk driving, creating different levels of penalties for different levels of intoxication. Drunk driving and causing an accident or injury to others can lead to felony charges in many cases.
Maryland’s Drunk Driving Laws
Maryland’s impaired driving laws include enhanced penalties for repeat offenders and serious consequences in addition to jail time. A first-time DUI offender can face up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, and revocation of their driver’s license for up to 6 months. If your BAC is above .08% in Maryland, you can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI). If your BAC is .07% or less, you can be charged with Driving While Impaired (DWI).
You don’t have to be impaired by alcohol to be charged with DUI or DWI, either. Impairment by drugs or controlled substances (even legal prescriptions) can lead to charges for driving under the influence. Maryland’s laws on impaired driving have come a long way since the unregulated era before the 1980s.
What To Do if You Are Arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Maryland
If you are charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Charles County, Maryland, you should seek legal representation as soon as you can. A skilled Charles County DUI lawyer can guide you through the process and make sure your legal rights are protected every step of the way.
An experienced Maryland DUI defense attorney can help you understand available defenses in your case, develop a strong defense strategy, and make sure your Constitutional rights are protected during your case. If your case is not resolved through dismissal or a favorable plea agreement, your DUI lawyer will be ready to represent you at trial whenever necessary.
Contact a Charles County, Maryland DUI Defense Lawyer Today
Drunk driving was not always illegal in Maryland. In fact, most states did not adopt strict laws against drinking and driving until the 1980s. Over time, DUI laws became widespread and can carry harsh consequences in Maryland. If you were arrested for DUI or DWI in Charles County, Maryland, an experienced DUI lawyer can help.
Contact the Criminal Defense Attorneys at Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys in Maryland for Help Today
For more information, contact Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys to schedule a confidential consultation with a criminal defense attorney. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, and Waldorf.
We proudly serve Prince George’s County, Frederick County, Montgomery County, Charles County and the surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys Lanham
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste 201 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 262-7005
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys Frederick
25 E Patrick St #200 Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 381-1993
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Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys Rockville
11140 Rockville Pike 550-J Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 364-3195
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Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys Waldorf
8 Post Office Rd, Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 857-4771