The anti-drunk driving campaigns across the country generally focus on a very specific message: don’t drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. What they fail to address is the complexity of DUI and DWI laws. This complexity is evidenced by the fact that crossing a state line changes all the laws, from what test can be administered and when to how high a BAC is allowable to the specific penalties for a conviction. Even within a single state the laws can be confusing, as there is always going to be more than one law that applies to a given arrest.

In Maryland it is possible to be arrested for attempting to drive a vehicle while impaired by alcohol. This is known as DWI. There are actually four main categories of illegal driving in Maryland: DUI, DUI Per Se, DWI, and DWI Drug Impairment. In addition to these, additional penalties will be faced by those driving with a minor in the car, those causing a life threatening injury or those causing a homicide. There is a zero tolerance law for any driver under 21 years of age with a BAC of .02 or higher. And anyone arrested for DUI who is found driving within twelve hours of their charges will face additional penalties.

Unraveling all of these laws requires an expert Prince Georges Maryland DUI attorney . Drivers have rights with regards to which chemical tests they must submit to and who is allowed to administer the test. Law enforcement is required to inform suspects of specific laws in the course of questioning or arrest. Any failure on the part of law enforcement or testing personnel can result in evidence being thrown out of court or the arrest itself being dismissed by a judge. It takes an experienced legal mind to understand all the nuances of DUI law in a given locality.