There is a difference between dui and dwi if you are arrested for drunk driving in the State of Maryland. If you take a breath test and your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08, you’ll be arrested for a Maryland DUI (Driving Under the Influence). If your BAC is .07, you will be arrested for a DWI (Driving While Impaired).

The consequences of your first DUI include up to one year in jail, and up to $1,000 in fines. But if you were transporting a minor at the time of your arrest, the jail sentence can extend for a period of up to two years, and you can face up to $2,000 in fines. In either event, you can have your driver’s license suspended for a minimum of six months.

If this is your second DUI in Maryland, you can be sentenced for up to two years in jail, and be fined up to $2,000. However, if you had a minor in your vehicle, the jail sentence can increase to up to three years, and the fines can increase to up to $3,000. If the second offense occurs within five years of your first offense, your license can be suspended for one year; however, it’s possible you could participate in an ignition interlock program after 45 days of your suspension.

A third and any future Maryland DUI can bring a jail sentence of up to three years, and fines of up to $3,000. But if you were transporting a minor in your vehicle, the jail sentence can increase to up to four years, and the fines can increase to up to $4,000. Either instance will suspend your license for a minimum of 18 months.

The punishments are different for dui vs. dwi; a dwi penalty is less severe. Your first dwi can bring up to two months in jail, and a fine of up to $500. But if a minor was in your vehicle, the jail sentence can increase to up to six months, and the fines can increase to $1,000. Either event brings a possible six-month suspension of your license.

A second dwi can bring up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $500, and your license can be suspended for a minimum of one year. If you were transporting a minor, however, the fine can increase to up to $2,000.

Other Maryland laws include a zero tolerance for drunk drivers under the age of 21. If you are under 21 and have a BAC of .02 or above, your license could be suspended or revoked. In addition, Maryland has an implied consent law. This means that, if you drive in the State, you agree to submit to a blood, breath, or urine chemical test if a law enforcement officer believes you are impaired by alcohol or drugs. If you refuse to take any of these tests, your driver’s license could be suspended for a period of 120 days for your first refusal; a second refusal automatically suspends your license for a period of one year.