For the second year in a row, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has proposed making it a felony to receive a third conviction (or a second offense if a fatal or serious accident occurs) for DUI with up to a ten year prison sentence. The Governor's Office stated:
In the coming legislative session, the Hogan administration will again introduce the Repeat Drunk Driving Offenders Act, which creates a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years for anyone convicted of a drunk or drugged driving offense on three or more prior occasions, as well as anyone convicted of causing a death or a life-threatening injury on their second and/or subsequent offenses.
“Our administration is committed to doing everything we can to prevent future impaired driving crashes and fatalities,” said Governor Hogan. “We must do everything in our power to save lives and to prevent future tragedies, and by working together, we can make a difference and we can save lives.”
With changes in the legislative committees of the Maryland General Assembly who hear these kinds of bills, the likelihood of passage of tougher penalties for alcohol related driving offenses has increased.
With increasing penalties for subsequent convictions, it is more important than ever that you have experienced counsel representing you even on your first offense.
You can read more about this legislation here.
