CDL DWI Attorneys In Towson, MD
If you own a commercial driver’s license, then you likely rely on this license for work. Getting charged with a CDL DWI in Towson, MD can have serious implications for your career and the future of your career. Now, you may think that a DWI may not have the same level of impact as a DUI, but this is not necessarily the case. Let’s take a look at how a DWI can affect your commercial driver’s license and your job.
What Is a DWI?
When you drive under the influence of alcohol or any other substance, you run the risk of losing your driver’s license. When you hold a commercial driver’s license, the standards and stakes are much higher. It is strictly against the law for any person to operate a commercial vehicle while intoxicated. If your breathalyzer test comes back with .04 or higher, then you will likely be charged. The legal limit for non-commercial licenses is .08, to give you a sense of how much more strict the CDL regulations are. Now, you can be charged with a DWI if you’re under the legal limit, but you still exhibit signs of being intoxicated.
What Happens When You are Charged with a DWI?
Obviously, you will lose your CDL following a DUI/DWI conviction, but what you might not know is that you can actually lose your CDL before you’re convicted. When you are charged, the arresting officer will take your license and provide you with a temporary, paper license. This paper license, though it can be used to operate a normal vehicle, cannot act in place of a CDL. When you attend your MVA hearing, you may be able to obtain access to a restricted license or to join the Ignition Interlock Program. Though this may be good news for your non-commercial driving activities, neither will help you with your CDL.
What About Probation Before Judgment?
For the average driver, a Probation Before Judgement, commonly referred to as a PBJ might make for an attractive option when dealing with DUI/DWI charges. However, for CDL holders, this is not the case. The MVA will still consider a PBJ grounds to disqualify your CDL for a mandatory minimum of 1 year. The only real option for CDL holders is to avoid conviction altogether.
What Do You Do Now?
Don’t lose hope. If you’ve been charged with CDL DWI in Towson, Maryland then you have options. Contact Albers & Associates to learn more about the next steps that you need to take to protect your career and your CDL.
The FMCSA and You
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates a variety of aspects surrounding the operation of commercial vehicles. One of the regulations that they maintain is a strict prohibition of drug & alcohol use while operating a motor vehicle. Though there are regulations in place for all drivers in terms of driving under the influence, CDL holders are put through extra observation and may face additional penalties.
For example, the maximum BAC for all drivers is .08%, but for CDL holders, it is .04%. Commercial drivers license holders are also subject to drug testing for Marijuana, Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamines, and Phencyclidine, also known as PCP, at certain intervals.
The drug tests are administered pre-employment and, in certain cases, following accidents. However, drug and alcohol tests can occur at random, under reasonable suspicion, and for drivers who previously failed and are looking to return to the field.
If you fail or refuse to take the tests, will result in an immediate loss of commercial motor vehicle driving privileges as they are considered “safety-sensitive functions.” To return to work, you will need to successfully complete the return-to-duty processes with a substance abuse professional approved by the Department of Transportation. a CDL DUI Attorney in Towson, Maryland can help you.
Looking for a Towson, Maryland CDL DUI Attorney?
If you drive commercial vehicles for a living, getting charged with a DUI of any kind can ruin your livelihood and pose exceptional challenges for your future. Along with losing your source of income, it is highly unlikely future employers will want to hire you.
To ensure that your future stays bright, work with Albers & Associates on your CDL DUI charges in Towson, Maryland. Attorney Albers has been recognized for his achievements in DUI defense and maintains a membership with the National College for DUI Defense. His experience as a DUI prosecutor for the City of Baltimore has prepared him for a career on the other side of the bench.
If you’ve been charged with a DUI, Albers & Associates can help you get your life back on track. Contact us today for a free consultation where we ca sit down and discuss the details of your case.