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Maryland DUI Lawyer

If you have been charged with drinking and driving, it may be in your best interests to contact an experienced Maryland DUI lawyer to begin planning your defense. A skilled defense attorney who has experience litigating in the local court system can help individuals to understand their legal options and take steps to mitigate the possible damage associated with DUI charges and convictions.

Starting from the moment of your DUI traffic stop, you will be confronted with a number of important decisions, all with the potential to impact your rights and your defense. These are decisions that require keen legal insight and they should not be taken lightly or alone. DUI offenses are prosecuted aggressively in Maryland, and a conviction for even a first-time offense can result in jail time and have a continuing impact on the life of the accused. However, with the aid of our dedicated DUI lawyers, you can be confident that you have someone who is working with your best interests at heart.

Contact our Maryland law offices today. Your legal consultation is free and requires no commitment.

Maryland Drunk Driving Lawyer Profiles

David Benowitz, a founding partner, has built an exemplary reputation handling DUI cases in the state of Maryland. He has a perfect 10/10 rating on AVVO, has been named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association and is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. In addition to his work as an attorney, Mr. Benowitz is a Professorial Lecturer in Law at the George Washington University Law School as well as a faculty member of the Harvard Law School Trial Advocacy Workshop. He defends every client with the same level of fervor, and he is not afraid to take a case to trial to fight for a positive result on your behalf.

Kush Arora has dedicated his life to fighting on behalf of his clients in DUI and criminal cases in the state of Maryland, where he has decades of experience. He will thoroughly investigate all options in his pursuit of a positive result, and he will make sure that you are as comfortable as you can be throughout a typically difficult process.

Qualifications

In addition to extensive trial experience, in both bench and jury trials, some of the qualifications of our Maryland DUI attorneys include:

  • Membership in the National College for DUI Defense
  • Prosecuting background
  • Trainer for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Standardized Field Sobriety Tests
  • Former Administrative Law Judge presiding over DUI related license suspensions
  • Training in the calibration and maintenance of breathalyzer equipment

Our team could examine a case from all angles and craft defense strategies designed to protect the accused’s best interests. That includes going back to the beginning by examining the circumstances of the DUI stop, whether you were pulled over by a police officer or traveling through a DUI checkpoint, and working our way forward to examine every aspect of the case. Even seemingly small factors such as the reading of the Miranda Rights can be constitutional issues that make or break a DUI Case.

We are extremely passionate about getting a positive result in every case we handle, and we will work tirelessly until the final resolution of your case. Our knowledge and experience give us a solid foundation for defense, but it is our desire to help individuals that is truly our most valuable characteristic. Our attorneys understand that it’s more often than not a simple error or lapse in judgment that leads to a DUI arrest, and they also understand the emotional turmoil such an arrest and charge can bring. They will work aggressively on your behalf while remaining sensitive to your needs and feelings in what can be an extremely stressful and upsetting period. This includes helping with both the criminal and MVA proceedings.

Our firm has attorneys ready to serve you throughout the State of Maryland. With our numerous office locations, we provide convenient access to an experienced DUI lawyer near you.

Maryland Drunk Driving Offenses

Maryland Transportation Code Section 21-902 prohibits:

  • Driving while under the influence of alcohol
  • Driving while under the influence of alcohol per se. Code Section 11-174.1 defines being “under the influence of alcohol per se” to mean having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or greater
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol while transporting a minor
  • Driving while impaired by alcohol
  • Driving while impaired by alcohol while transporting a minor
  • Driving or attempting to drive a vehicle when under the influence of drugs, or any combination of drugs and/or alcohol, that prevents safe driving
  • Driving while impaired by drugs and/or alcohol

Each of these similar offenses is listed separately in Code Section 21-902 because the offenses have different penalties. Driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI) means your blood alcohol concentration is .08 or higher. Driving while impaired by alcohol (DWI), on the other hand, is a less serious offense you are charged with if alcohol affects your driving ability, but you are not over-the-limit. Having a minor in the car with you makes penalties worse for both DUI and DWI.

Penalties for DUI

Driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while impaired (DWI) are criminal charges that are punishable by fines, jail, probation, suspension of driving privileges, and other penalties that restrict your freedom and impact your finances and daily life. A conviction for DUI in Maryland brings a criminal record that can have a negative effect on your ability to find or keep employment and can also bring a fair amount of social stigma and embarrassment. Learn more about DUI penalties, like ignition interlock devices and how a DUI charge or conviction could affect your insurance, security clearance or immigration status.

A DUI conviction has both legal and administrative consequences. In fact, the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) suspends your driver’s license almost immediately upon a DUI arrest in Maryland, even before you are brought before a judge or found guilty of a crime. If you do not request a hearing with the MVA within ten days of your arrest, your license suspension will remain in effect until your trial. Our legal team can also represent you with MVA matters to help you meet all of the important deadlines to protect your rights and your driving privileges all while working to ease the impact such a charge can bring.

Even a single DUI conviction may result in life-altering penalties. The maximum penalties for a first time driving under the influence conviction is up to one year in prison, $1,000 in fines, and 12 points on your driving record. With a second DUI the jail time and the fine double to 2 years and $2,000 respectively. These penalties continue to escalate as convictions pile up for a third DUI offense and beyond. Not only does a single DUI conviction carry fairly significant penalties, it sets you up for increased penalties down the line. Those under the age of 21 are also likely to face additional penalties for consuming alcohol while under the legal age.

DUI cases involving serious bodily injury or death may become felony cases in the Circuit Court, where it is even more important to have an experienced trial attorney with knowledge of the science behind DUI evidence.

If you have been pulled over and you believe that you might eventually be charged, or if you have already been formally charged and you are concerned about the effects these penalties can have on your life, our Maryland-based DUI attorneys will do everything they can to help you and will have the advantage of local knowledge and relationships on their side when facing off against judges and prosecutors.

If you are a CDL holder who drives for a living, then it is even more important to contact an attorney quickly to help you deal with the impending license suspension from the MVA.

Driving While Impaired (DWI)

Though DWI carries less severe penalties upon conviction than its more common counterpart of driving under the influence or DUI, it is still a charge that should not be taken lightly. DWI charges are often used in cases involving marijuana or other drug impairment as well.

A first time driving while impaired charge will carry a maximum penalty of two months in prison and $500 in fines. You could also be assessed eight points against your driving record and you could face suspension of your driving privileges.

As is the case with DUI charges, a second DWI conviction brings a much more severe prison term of one year, and another $500 fine. A dedicated Maryland DWI attorney could explain the best plan of action for a particular case.

How a Maryland DUI Attorney Can Help

Facing any kind of criminal charge is a stressful experience, but an experienced Maryland DUI lawyer can help an individual by providing guidance and reassurance throughout the process. For someone facing a DUI charge for the first time, they might not know exactly what to expect going into it. They will not know what will happen to their car once they are arrested and how they will get their car back.

An attorney will be there to provide answers to questions you may have about the process and provide you with information on what you can do to mitigate your situation, like participate in an alcohol education course. They want to help you. They can find professional witnesses to testify at your trial. They can also help you take immediate damage control steps to minimize the negative impact of a DUI charge.

Our Locations

Montgomery County

Montgomery County is home to some of the busiest roads in all of Maryland, a section of the Capital Beltway, which is typically filled with commuter traffic and also the southernmost part of I-270. During rush hour, the entrance to I-270 and the 270 Spur are typically extremely crowded. As a result, the presence of drunk drivers becomes even more dangerous. Citizens of towns like Rockville, Silver Spring, Bethesda, and Gaithersburg travel these busy streets every day, and if an extended commute is part of your everyday schedule, you can not afford to have your driving privileges compromised. Most DUI cases in Montgomery County are heard at the county’s district court along Jefferson Boulevard in Rockville.

Howard County

Because of its location right between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Howard, particularly the stretch of I-95 that runs through the Eastern part of the county, sees a lot of regular travel on a daily basis. Despite being an independent city and not technically part of the county, many of the residents of Columbia travel through the county streets to get to and from work. Populated areas like Ellicott City and Glenwood also contribute to the amount of traffic on those streets every day. This is also a major commuter area, and losing the ability to drive with a DUI arrest could be a major issue. Our attorneys are ready to represent clients at the major county courthouses on Court Avenue in Ellicott City, where most DUI trials will be held.

Prince George’s County

Prince George’s County sees a lot of driving under the influence arrests every year, in part because it is home to the University of Maryland, and also the home of the Washington Redskins. These are both areas where DUI stops occur quite frequently. If you are a student who is arrested for a DUI, you risk losing your educational opportunities as well as the standard legal consequences. Prince George’s County is also home to many of the larger suburbs of Washington, D.C. like Bowie, Greenbelt, and Laurel.

That makes it crucial for you to contact an attorney who has experience representing clients in a similar situation, and who will be able to fight for a positive result in your case. Cases will typically be heard at the district courthouses either on Rhode Island Avenue in Hyattsville or on Main Street in Upper Marlboro.

Baltimore

Baltimore is both a county and an independent city in Maryland. The county is home to a large portion of the highly crowded Baltimore Beltway, while the city itself sees a lot of traffic every day because of the number of people who live and work there. There are also Ravens and Orioles games, which bring thousands of new people to the city whenever there is a game. Hence, driving under the influence and driving while impaired are two charges the county and city both take extremely seriously. Our attorneys will treat your case with equal measure and will make sure you are being represented by the passion and ability that you deserve.

Reach Out to Our Team Today

Being charged with DUI in Maryland can be overwhelming, stressful, and intimidating, whether you are charged with a first offense or subsequent offenses. Attorneys are committed to providing strong DUI defenses and helping alleviate some of the associated stress by offering sound legal advice, guiding you through the complicated criminal justice process, and mounting an aggressive defense. For a free case evaluation by a knowledgeable lawyer in the Baltimore area, call us today.

Penalties

Driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while impaired (DWI) are criminal charges that are punishable by fines, jail, probation, suspension of driving privileges, and other penalties that restrict your freedom and impact your finances and daily life. A conviction for DUI in Maryland brings a criminal record that can have a negative effect on your ability to find or keep employment and can also bring a fair amount of social stigma and embarrassment. Learn more about DUI penalties, like ignition interlock devices and how a DUI charge or conviction could affect your insurance, security clearance or immigration status.

A DUI conviction has both legal and administrative consequences. In fact, the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) suspends your driver’s license almost immediately upon a DUI arrest in Maryland, even before you are brought before a judge or found guilty of a crime. If you do not request a hearing with the MVA within ten days of your arrest, your license suspension will remain in effect until your trial. Our legal team can also represent you with MVA matters to help you meet all of the important deadlines to protect your rights and your driving privileges all while working to east the impact such a charge can bring.

Even a single DUI conviction may result in life-altering penalties. The maximum penalties for a first time driving under the influence conviction is up to one year in prison, $1,000 in fines, and 12 points on your driving record. With a second DUI the jail time and the fine double to 2 years and $2,000 respectively. These penalties continue to escalate as convictions pile up for a third DUI offense and beyond. Not only does a single DUI conviction carry fairly significant penalties, it sets you up for increased penalties down the line. Those under the age of 21 are also likely to face additional penalties for consuming alcohol while under the legal age.

DUI cases involving serious bodily injury or death may become felony cases in the Circuit Court, where it is even more important to have an experienced trial attorney with knowledge of the science behind DUI evidence.

If you have been pulled over and you believe that you might eventually be charged, or if you have already been formally charged and you are concerned about the effects these penalties can have on your life, our Maryland-based DUI attorneys will do everything they can to help you and will have the advantage of local knowledge and relationships on their side when facing off against judges and prosecutors.

If you are a CDL holder who drives for a living, then it is even more important to contact an attorney quickly to help you deal with the impending license suspension from the MVA.

Driving While Impaired (DWI)

Though DWI carries less severe penalties upon conviction than its more common counterpart of driving under the influence or DUI, it is still a charge that should not be taken lightly. DWI charges are often used in cases involving marijuana or other drug impairment.

A first time driving while impaired charge will carry a maximum penalty of two months in prison and $500 in fines. You could also be assessed eight points against your driving record and you could face suspension of your driving privileges.

As is the case with DUI charges, a second DWI conviction brings a much more severe prison term of one year, and another $500 fine. A dedicated Maryland DWI attorney will know the best plan of action to take to fight these charges and potential penalties.

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How a Maryland DUI Lawyer Can Help

Facing any kind of criminal charge is a stressful experience, but an experienced Maryland DUI lawyer can help an individual by providing guidance and reassurance throughout the process. For someone facing a DUI charge for the first time, they might not know exactly what to expect going into it. They will not know what will happen to their car once they are arrested and how they will get their car back.
An attorney will be there to provide answers to questions you may have about the process and provide you with information on what you can do to mitigate your situation, like participate in an alcohol education course. They want to help you. They can find professional witnesses to testify at your trial. They can also help you take immediate damage control steps to minimize the negative impact of a DUI charge.

Locations
Client Reviews

By: G. Client

Title: I Highly Recommend Kush

I was arrested for a DUI in Montgomery County, and I wanted to find an excellent defense attorney. I reached out to four attorneys, but Kush not only had the best ratings, but he seemed very confident during the consult. After I hired him I had a lot of questions and he was very responsive. He would return my calls immediately, and gave me a lot of updates via email and text. He was really easy to work with in terms of communication. My case went to Jury Trial and Kush was very articulate when he spoke to the Jurors. After a whole day at trial, my case was dismissed. Kush Arora was able to help me in a time of need. Not too many people beat a DUI , but they do with Kush. I would highly recommend Kush to anyone who needs an attorney when they are in a tough situation

Rating: ★★★★★ 5 / 5 stars
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