St. Patrick's Day is one of the most heavily enforced weekends of the year in Ocean City. Between the parade, lots of start-of-the-season bar specials, and early spring visitors, law enforcement agencies increase patrols throughout Worcester County.

If you are arrested for DUI around St. Patrick's Day, you could face serious consequences. Here's what you need to know about Maryland DUI laws, penalties, and how to protect yourself. 

First and foremost, you need legal representation. Steve is an experienced DUI attorney in Ocean City, handling hundreds of DUI cases every year. 

Next, it is important to understand the type of charges you might face. Maryland has two types of alcohol-related driving offenses. A Driving Under the Influence charge (or DUI, for short) is the more serious charge and carries harsher penalties. An individual charged with a DUI has a BAC of 0.08% or higher. A Driving While Impaired (DWI) is charged when your BAC is lower than 0.08%, but this is still serious and carries potential penalties. 

The traffic stop usually consists of a field sobriety test, breath tests, arrest and booking, and a court date in Worcester County. This is all normal procedure for a DUI charge, but it is still important to act quickly. Sometimes, the defense strategy may be tailored around the nature of the stop, so it is important to contact representation immediately to explore your options.

Penalties for a first-time DUI in Maryland could include fines, jail time, points on your driving record, and increase insurance premiums.Repeat offenses carry significantly harsher penalties. Even if you are not sentenced to jail, a conviction creates a permanent criminal record unless expungement eligibility applies.

It is also critical to be aware of the immediate administrative consequences through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), including a potential license suspension. You usually have about 30 days to request an MVA hearing to challenge the suspension. 

If you are not a Maryland resident, things usually become a bit more complicated. However, there is hope. Do not let one holiday weekend define your future. 

Although a DUI arrest can feel overwhelming, especially if it's your first time navigating the criminal justice system, there are plenty of defense strategies available to you. Early legal intervention could potentially protect your driving privileges, negotiate reduced charges, and minimize long-term consequences.

If you are arrested for DUI on or around St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Ocean City or anywhere in Worcester County, time matters. You may have deadlines to protect your license and important strategic decisions to make early in the case.

Speaking with Steve Rakow, an OCMD local and DUI/DWI defense attorney with over 29 years of experience, could change the trajectory of your case. Call 410-600-3075 to discuss your options.