Charles County, MD DUI Conviction: How Will I Get to Work if My Driver’s License is Suspended?
In some DUI cases, it is possible to obtain a “hardship license” if your regular driver’s license has been suspended because of a DUI conviction. Avoiding the suspension of your driver’s license is one reason that you should hire experienced Charles County, Maryland, criminal defense attorneys to defend your DUI charges. At a minimum, your criminal defense lawyer can try and get the Court’s agreement to allow restricted driving privileges that would protect your ability to get to work and get back home, go to school, and run other necessary errands. Call us here at the Law Office of Robert Castro at (301) 705-5137 if you have questions about a DUI charge. We are available around the clock, 24/7. We are seasoned and skilled Maryland criminal defense lawyers with offices in Waldorf, Maryland.
Many who have lost their driving privileges because of a DUI worry about how they are going to get back and forth from work. Public transportation is sometimes an option, along with getting lifts from friends and family. Another option that is available in some cases is seeking a “hardship license.” To be eligible, you cannot have had your driver’s license suspended in the previous five years.
To apply, you file an application (and pay a filing fee — about $150) at your county Office of Administrative Hearings. Certain types of documentation will be needed, such as proof of vehicle ownership, proof of employment, something from your employer about your need for driving privileges, proof that there is no other reasonable method of getting to work and getting back home, etc. Generally, you will also have to commit to attending a substance abuse treatment program. The exact rules for your hardship license will be determined at an administrative hearing. But, in most cases, you will be allowed to drive to work, school, medical appointments, and to substance abuse treatment sessions. You will generally NOT be allowed to drive for shopping trips, vacations, visits to friends and family, etc. Whatever is allowed must be strictly followed.
Note that you are not entitled to a hardship license. Depending on the severity of your DUI charges, a hardship license will be difficult to obtain. Generally, hardship licenses are only issued to those with first-time DUI convictions. Typically, a hardship license will be valid until the person is eligible to have his or her regular driver’s license reinstated.
Note that a hardship license is different from a Maryland temporary driver’s license. A temporary license is generally given to a driver by a police officer after the officer takes the person’s regular driver’s license. For example, if a person refuses to take a breathalyzer test after being pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence, the police officer will immediately take that person’s driver’s license. The Officer will then issue a temporary license.
Contact Waldorf, Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer Robert Castro Today
This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert Castro. For more information or questions, contact our office to speak to an experienced Maryland criminal defense lawyer at (301) 705-5137. We are Waldorf, MD, Criminal Defense lawyers. Our address is 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD, 20601.
