Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyers
Baltimore DUI Lawyers Manage Motor Vehicle Administration Hearings (MVA Hearings)
Were you stopped on suspicion of DUI, a violation of the Maryland Transportation Article §16-205.1, and the officer requested you to take a field sobriety test or a preliminary Breathalyzer test? Did you refuse the test, or did the Breathalyzer indicate a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or greater and the officer confiscated your Maryland driver license and issued you a temporary one? If so, setting aside for now the criminal charges pending against you, that paper license is going to expire in 45 days. That gives you a limited time to defend your driving privileges.
LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton, P.A. represents drivers in Motor Vehicle Administration hearings before the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings. Our Baltimore DUI defense lawyers fight to minimize the damage done by your arrest. We know how much you rely on your driving privileges for work, school and other daily activities. We put together the most persuasive case possible to avoid your suspension or modify the terms so you can get on with your life.
Request Your MVA Hearing Promptly
The MVA hearing is separate from your criminal trial, where you face fines and even jail time. The MVA hearing is all about saving your driver license. You must request a hearing within 10 days of the incident to be assured of a hearing before the temporary license expires. If that time lapses, you face the following penalties:
- Submitted to test with BAC between .08 percent and 0.14 percent — 45-day suspension for first offense; 90-day suspension for second or subsequent offense
- Submitted to test with BAC of 0.15 percent or greater — 90-day suspension for first offense; 180-day suspension for second or subsequent offense
- Refused test — 120-day suspension for first offense; one-year suspension for second or subsequent offense
- Commercial driver — One-year CDL disqualification for first offense; lifetime CDL disqualification for second or subsequent offense
- Commercial driver transporting hazardous materials — Three-year CDL disqualification for first offense; lifetime CDL disqualification for second or subsequent offense
What to Expect at Your MVA Hearing
At your MVA hearing, your attorney will challenge the officer’s assertion that you drove drunk or refused the Breathalyzer test. There may be reason to challenge the stop, question the result of the Breathalyzer or demonstrate that the officer did not properly advise you of your rights under §16-205.1. If we cannot refute the evidence, we may be able to mitigate your suspension by arguing that loss of your license would cause you and your family undue hardship, and the court may allow you to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle instead.
Baltimore DUI Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Fight for Your Driver License
Don’t go alone to your MVA hearing. Baltimore DUI defense lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton, P.A. fight aggressively to help drivers keep their licenses. Contact us online or call 800-547-4LAW (4529) to schedule a free consultation.