When A DUI Isn’t Just A DUI: Understanding The Criminal, Civil & Administrative Fallout In Maryland
Getting arrested for DUI can be a shock. At that moment, everything feels chaotic. Flashing lights. Field sobriety tests. Handcuffs. And it’s easy to think the worst is over once the arrest has been made. But in Maryland, a DUI sets off more than just a criminal case. What many people don’t realize is that it triggers three separate tracks: criminal charges, the loss of your driver’s license through the MVA, and even the risk of a civil lawsuit if someone was hurt.
All of these pieces can move quickly, and they don’t always wait for each other. That’s why it’s so important to understand how these systems overlap, and what’s at stake in each one. Knowing what to expect and having someone in your corner who knows how to navigate it can make a huge difference in how your case plays out and how your life moves forward.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what really happens after a DUI charge and why getting the right legal help early on can change the entire outcome.
The criminal case
The criminal case is what most people think of immediately after an arrest. In Maryland, a first-offense DUI can bring:
- Fines and court costs
- Possible jail time
- Probation
- Mandatory alcohol education or treatment
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
Aggravating factors — such as a high BAC, having a minor in the vehicle, causing a crash, or having prior offenses — can increase the penalties significantly.
Many defendants assume a DUI is “just a traffic matter,” but it is a criminal offense that remains on your record and can affect employment, security clearances, and licensing. A strong defense focuses not only on the facts of the case, but also on protecting long-term opportunities.
The administrative case
Separate from the criminal process, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) takes its own action after a DUI arrest. Even if your criminal charges are dismissed, your license can still be suspended unless you take immediate steps to challenge it.
You typically have just 10 days to request an MVA hearing. At that hearing, an administrative judge will decide whether your license should be suspended based on:
- Refusal to take a breath test
- A BAC of .08 or higher
- Prior DUI-related incidents
- Eligibility for ignition interlock
This is one of the most urgent parts of a DUI case — many people lose their driving privileges simply because they didn’t act quickly enough.
Civil and insurance consequences
When a DUI involves an accident, the legal trouble doesn’t stop with the arrest. Even if no one was seriously hurt, the consequences can spill over into civil matters — and that’s where things can get unexpectedly expensive.
You could be facing:
- A major jump in your insurance premiums
- Denied coverage or even having your policy canceled
- Lawsuits for injuries or property damage
- Responsibility for repair costs or medical bills
- Restitution ordered by the court
What surprises most people is that even a single DUI — with no injuries — can cause insurance companies to label you as “high-risk.” That label sticks, and it often means higher rates for years to come or losing coverage altogether.
These financial consequences aren’t usually part of the conversation during the arrest or court process, but they can quietly become the most damaging part of the whole situation — especially if you’re not prepared for them.
Talk to a Bel Air, MD, DUI Attorney Today
Schlaich & Thompson, Chartered, represents the interests of Bel Air residents who have been charged with DUI. Call our Bel Air criminal defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.
