DWI or DUI Court Referral Programs in Maryland

If you have been pulled over and arrested for a drinking and driving offense in Maryland there are a few things that you can do to help stay out of jail and hopefully, avoid a life-changing DUI conviction. Depending on the type of charges you have, you may be required to complete a DWI or DUI Court Referral Program in Maryland. Driving drunk and being charged with DWI or DUI is a misdemeanor crime in Maryland. If a person is found guilty of a DWI or DUI, they will face a fine and jail time. First-time DUI offenders in Maryland will be required to attend a 12-hour Alcohol Education Program. The cost of the online course is only $189.00 (First Class Mail included) and is completely online and can be completed on your schedule. The 12-Hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP) is an instructional program intended to provide rehabilitation for people who have been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI). You may have been assigned to the AEP if you were referred by a District Court judge or Administrative Law Judge in the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) or if you applied for a new driver’s license after your original license was revoked due to an alcohol-related incident. If you are required to attend an AEP, the MVA will send you a referral letter. The letter will provide instructions for arranging a preliminary alcohol assessment and attending an alcohol education program. The results of the alcohol assessment will determine if you are considered an alcohol abuser or alcohol dependent. If you are identified as either an alcohol abuser or alcohol dependent you will be required to complete the longer, 26-week Alcohol Treatment Program, which also incorporates the 12-hour AEP curriculum.

A DUI or DWI conviction in Maryland is not something to be taken lightly. It can have serious life-altering consequences far-reaching into many areas of your life. We have helped thousands of people over the years avoid significant jail time, fines, and license revocation periods. Getting help for underlying alcohol addiction will help the courts determine if you are taking full responsibility for driving under the influence and breaking the law. Call us today and let us help you with your drinking and driving arrest and help you find an alcohol recovery program. Addiction No More ® can not give legal advice however if you are looking for rehabilitation for addiction we can help you find treatment in your area or anywhere in the country. Give us a call today and we can help. 

1-800-513-5423

What to do if you have been arrested for drinking and driving

Drinking and driving in Maryland can be a serious offense and the consequences can have life-changing outcomes. If you have been pulled over, make sure that you know your rights and remain courteous at all times. Being compliant and courteous can affect the outcome of the court’s layout as punishment.

Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence (DUI) Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI). These are the common terms used to describe operating a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Maryland, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the state’s laws regarding driving while drunk.

DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in Maryland are very familiar with the court-mandated treatment requirements that the courts have imposed for their court-ordered alcohol rehab centers. Some court-ordered DUI deferment programs will include alcohol evaluations and at the very least, alcohol and drug classes for first-time offenders. This can cost anywhere from $1000-2500 dollars with the fines, not including lawyer fees and bail.

If this is your second offense, getting involved in a treatment program for alcohol abuse will not only help your ongoing DWI-DUI case but benefit you as well. You should always enter into an alcohol treatment program knowing that there is a need for a change before something worse happens. Driving and Drinking can cost you your life or even worse someone else life.

Treatment programs in Maryland for criminal justice clients will work with the court system to handle all the requirements for treatment to be considered time served. Once all the financial consequences are paid by the defendant and community service is completed, the Maryland district court may terminate the probation period. Driving under the influence can damage many people’s lives other than yourself. Getting treatment for your alcohol dependency can help you understand that the risks of drinking and driving heavily outweigh the rewards. Sometimes, all it takes is to talk to someone who has had the burden of having someone die due to their alcohol consumption and driving under the influence. Our counselors are ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1-800-513-5423

DUI First-Offender and Diversion Programs

For a first offense DWI or DUI, you face up to a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail. Twelve points will be assessed on your driving record and your driver’s license may be revoked for up to six months. For a second offense, you are fined $2,000 and up to two years in jail (with a mandatory minimum of five days).

The laws are different in each state for DWI offenses that allow for deferment programs instead of jail time. Some states, depending on the circumstances, will mandate treatment and community service. Some of these mandates can be handled while in treatment for alcohol abuse. Maryland has a deferment program for first-time DWI offenders as long as there are no injuries, accidents, or drugs involved. If you have been arrested for your second DWI/DUI in Maryland, it is highly recommended that you give us a call to find out your options for a deferment program instead of jail time. This will help with the possible consequences that the courts may impose on you. Drinking and driving can have serious outcomes including vehicular homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and other very serious charges. When a minor is involved, there are more serious outcomes that the courts in Maryland can impose on the offender. If there has been an accident or death due to drinking and driving there will be significant jail time imposed as well as the knowledge that your indulgence cost someone their life.

Consequences of driving drunk in Maryland

Maryland has specific drinking and driving laws and penalties for people who have been convicted of a DUI/DWI. There are minimum and maximum fines and penalties that are at the discretion of the judge and prosecuting attorney depending on many different factors and circumstances surrounding the case.

First Offense: 1st Conviction of drinking and driving could include incarceration for up to one year, fines up to $1000, and driving privileges suspended or revoked for a period of 45 days up to 90 days.

Second Offense: 2nd drinking and driving conviction within the 5 years of the last infraction will result in fines and payments of $2000, Driver’s license suspension for a period of no less than 90 days up to 180 days. A person who commits a second DWI in Maryland may be required to have an interlock device installed on their primary vehicle. Courts have the option to incarcerate 2nd time drinking and driving offenders for up to 2 years in a state-run prison.

Third Offense: 3 or more drinking and driving offenses in Maryland within 5 years of a previous conviction will result in a prison term of up to 3 years in the state penitentiary. Fines of up to $3,000, license suspension, and an interlock device are required for a period of up to 3 years. You may be mandated to complete an Alcohol treatment program.

Find Deferred Prosecution Rehabs Near Me

We can help you locate treatment for addiction in your area or anywhere in the country. To locate AA meetings, group meetings, 12-step programs, inpatient treatment, or outpatient services in your town give us a call. There are many options for drug rehab services in many cities in Maryland.

Baltimore, Maryland Alcohol Rehabs
Columbia, MD Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Elliot City, Maryland Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation
Frederick, MD. Substance Abuse and Alcohol Abuse Treatment
Germantown Maryland 30/90-Day Treatment Centers
Glen Burnie MD Inpatient Alcoholism Rehab Programs
Silver Spring, Maryland Drug and Alcohol Abuse Programs
Waldorf, MD. Detox Centers and Alcohol Addiction Resources

Treatment for alcoholism in place of jail time in Maryland is a very common outcome for those seeking help to end their addictions. If you have an open DWI case in Maryland, call us and we can help you locate a deferment program in your county that works with DUI and DWI offenders. We can help you find the best rehab center for alcohol misuse today. Addiction No More ® is an Addiction Treatment Center locator service. For immediate service, please call one of our counselors 24/7.

Source
Adult DUI/DWI Treatment Court Programs
Maryland Impaired Driving Laws
12-Hour Alcohol Education (AEP) Program Requirements

Erik Epp – Content Author