The last thing you expect will happen while you are on vacation or conducting business out-of-state is being arrested for a DUI in Maryland. A DUI arrest in your own state may be confusing as it is, but now, you have been arrested in a completely different state and you have no idea how it will affect your life.
Will the authorities take your license away? Does your home state punish you for what happens in another state? What if you’re convicted for DUI in another state? If you need legal assistance, contact our experienced team at Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys today at (301) 262-7005 for a free consultation. Let us help you take the first step toward resolving your legal matter.
What To Do After A DUI Conviction?
Being convicted of DUI can carry a wide range of penalties, including imprisonment, suspension of your driver’s license in Maryland and your home state, installation of an ignition interlock device, required completion of an alcohol/drug treatment program, fines, and/or probation.
These penalties may be imposed on anyone convicted of a DUI, regardless of whether the person lives in Maryland or not. Being an out-of-state driver does not give a person any type of immunity when it comes to breaking Maryland traffic laws, and, in fact, carries additional punishments relating to your home state.
If you reside in and have a driver’s license that was issued in another state, and you have been charged with DUI in Maryland, you would be well-advised to consult with an experienced defense attorney who fully understands state laws and procedures.
Driver License Agreement
Most states are part of the interstate Driver License Agreement (DLA), which is a compact between the driver licensing agencies of various states. The rules of the DLA include those from two prior compacts, which Maryland is a member, called the Driver License Compact (DLC) and the Nonresident Violator Compact (NRVC).
The DLA’s goal is to require each state to honor other state driver’s licenses and report out-of-state traffic violation convictions to the home state. According to the DLA, an out-of-state department must report various violations to the home state.
These include, but are not limited to:
- Vehicular assault, vehicular manslaughter, or homicide involving a motor vehicle or other similar conviction or administrative action;
- A felony involving a motor vehicle; and
- A conviction for operating a motor vehicle at or above a certain blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC), or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or a combination of drugs and alcohol, or refusing a required chemical test.
If Maryland is not your home state, and you are convicted of DUI, Maryland officials are required to report it to your home state/ the state which issued your driver’s license. This results in penalties, not only in the state of the offense, but in your home state as well.
Out-Of-State DUI Penalties
If an out-of-state driver is charged with DUI of alcohol or drugs in Maryland, there will be a hearing where evidence will be presented to determine the person’s guilt or innocence. If the charge is successfully dismissed, then the person will likely not face any action by their home state.
If, however, the person is convicted of DUI, not only will he or she face punishment in Maryland, but also in their home state. Typically, an out-of-state DUI offender would lose their driving privilege in their home state until he or she fulfills the required court-ordered punishment in Maryland.
Avoiding an Out-Of-State DUI Conviction
An out-of-state driver DUI conviction in Maryland can create unnecessary personal and professional hardships. Unless you act immediately, you could be forced to suffer the consequences of a DUI conviction in Maryland and at home.
Contact Our Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys Now
If you are facing out-of-state DUI charges in Maryland, it is imperative that you contact Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys to schedule a confidential consultation with our criminal defense attorneys today at (301) 262-7005.
Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, and Waldorf Maryland. We have the skills and resources to effectively defend your rights against unjust or unnecessary charges in Maryland and to assist you in finding a top rated attorney to assist you in your home state.