Q: How can I renew my MD license with a sealed DC DWI case from 2012 affecting it?

A: I recommend that your hire an attorney to unseal the case and get true test copies of the disposition if possible. A DC attorney may be able to get this faster than you. You can also repost your question to DC attorneys by listing the location as DC.

A: Both you and your lawyer should have received a copy of that disposition back in 2012, so your first plan of action should be to scour your records, and reach out to that attorney to see if he still has your old file. Nobody on here can answer for the DC government’s failure to respond to you. Have you tried going there in person? Sometimes that’s the only way. I’m not sure what it is that the MVA sees on your driving record that alerts it to an issue. You do not describe that, which would help a lot. Was there an order of suspension issued in connection with that DUI in DC that has never been lifted? Maryland MVA does not transfer points for out of state traffic violations, but does honor existing license suspensions. Perhaps DC is showing a suspension of your DC privilege?

The other scenario where the Maryland MVA can take action is on an actual conviction for an out of state DUI if the exact section of the out-of-state Code you were convicted of also would be a conviction under Maryland law if it happened here. In that scenario, although you don’t have points assessed in Maryland, the MVA can still suspend or revoke a Maryland driver based on a conviction of certain violations out of state, including DUI. However, many plea deals in DC either result in a plea to Operating While Impaired (“OWI”) or some deferred prosecution deal where you don’t get any conviction. Maryland does not have an OWI equivalent offense because a 0.05-0.06 BAC result is all that is required under DC law, and Maryland DWI offenses only start at 0.07. Thus, a conviction under the DC code section for OWI would not result in any action by the MD MVA, although you may need to contest the proposed action in Maryland and argue that defense.

License related issues under DC law are handled by the DC Department of Motor Vehicles. I would start by downloading your complete DC driving record online (you have one, even if not licensed there, if you’ve had tickets in DC). It should state any holds or suspension on your license. If you completed a diversion program and had a license suspension deferred or in place pending filing proof of completion of the DUI program, or in some cases, had your DC privilege suspended for 6 months or a year based on your BAC level, DC requires you to physically reinstate your privilege by filing a fee or filing other paperwork at the end of the suspension period. Maybe you never did that, and that’s all you need to do. In that case, do what is needed to reinstate yourself in DC, then get a certified copy of your DC record showing you are free and clear in DC, and take that to the MD MVA (although the MVA should have access to the same system that DC DMV enters and removes license suspensions).

A: Since your DWI case in DC is sealed, obtaining a copy of the disposition can be tricky, but it is possible. Start by contacting the court clerk’s office where your case was handled and explain that the DMV requires proof of disposition for license renewal. If email isn’t working, try calling during business hours or sending a certified letter requesting the document.

You may also ask if the court allows a third-party request, such as an attorney or notary, to obtain the disposition on your behalf. Keep a detailed record of all your attempts to contact the court, as this can show the DMV that you are making good faith efforts. Some courts have specific procedures for sealed cases, and persistence is often required to get a response.

If time is critical, explain your employment situation to the DMV and ask if they can provide a temporary or conditional license while you obtain the necessary documentation. This ensures you can continue working while resolving the issue. Acting quickly and maintaining thorough documentation of your efforts increases the likelihood of a smooth resolution. Would you like me to outline a step-by-step approach to request the disposition from a sealed case efficiently?