Maryland DUI Lawyer

Being arrested for DUI in Maryland is one example of how the consequences of a simple mistake can linger for years or even haunt you for a lifetime. However, with quality DUI defense from a highly skilled Maryland DUI lawyer, you can minimize the impact of a DUI conviction or even have the charge dismissed completely.

If you are arrested and charged with a Maryland DUI, the first stone in building your defense should be to contact a Maryland DUI attorney with the experience and resources to proficiently handle your case. Your DUI defense lawyer will examine your case from all angles to find the best option for presenting your case in court. Whether disputing blood alcohol test analysis, challenging illegal police procedures, negotiating a reduced charge, or suggesting sentencing options such as probation and treatment, an experienced Maryland DUI lawyer will diligently represent your case to provide the best possible outcome.

If you are arrested for DUI in Maryland, it is imperative that you act quickly to protect your rights and privileges.  If you refused a breathalyzer or blew above a .08, your driving privileges will be automatically suspended on the forty-sixth day after your arrest. You only have ten (10) days to request a hearing with the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to attempt to alter that suspension. Failure to request a hearing within this limited time frame may result in the loss of your driving privileges for a significant amount of time. A Maryland DUI attorney can assist in submitting the request to the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings and can represent you at your hearing.

DUI in Maryland is punished harshly, even as a first offense. A First DUI Offense in Maryland can lead to:

• Up to one year in jail
• Fine of up to $1,000
• Suspension of your driver's license
• Possible imposition of 12 points on your driving record

Your DUI defense begins with your own actions. If you are pulled over and police suspect you may have been drinking, you will likely be asked to perform field sobriety tests or complete a roadside breath test. Most people do not understand that these tests are voluntary. You do not have to submit to field sobriety testing, but your refusal to take a test will most likely result in your arrest. While this seems like a harsh option to choose, remember that the field sobriety tests are designed to give the police and the State evidence that you are in fact impaired. If you refuse to participate in the tests, you reduce the amount of evidence they have to use against you at trial.

Fortunately, a skilled Maryland DUI attorney may be able to get your charges dismissed, or in the alternative, negotiate Probation before Judgment (PBJ) for DWI. Probation Before Judgement strikes the finding of guilt and will prevent the points from being assessed to the defendant's driver's license. This will not only protect your driving privileges, but also your insurance rates.

However, in the event this is not your first DUI offense, but rather a Second or Third DUI offense, it becomes even more important to contact a skilled and experienced DUI attorney as each additional offense increases both the penalties as well as the likelihood of a conviction.

With an office conveniently located near the Howard County District court, attorney Colleen Kirby is accessible for her clients around the Baltimore Washington area. For a free evaluation of your Maryland DUI case, contact Maryland DUI attorney Colleen Kirby at (410) 441-5005.

If you or a loved one have been charges with a DUI in Virginia, please visit our Virginia DUI page. You may also wish to visit our Fairfax Accident Lawyer page.