Have you been arrested for a DUI in Howard County, Maryland? The consequences of a conviction can follow you for years—impacting your job, finances, and personal life. Fortunately, you still have time to defend yourself with help from an experienced DUI defense attorney.
Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys has 125 years of combined experience, and our team includes the only board-certified DUI defense attorney in Maryland. If you hire our Howard County DUI lawyers, we’ll work hard to minimize or eliminate the impact these charges have on your future.
Contact our law office today or give us a call at (301) 262-7005, we offer a free initial consultation, so you can receive advice about your situation at no cost.
How Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help If You Were Arrested for DUI in Howard County, MD
Prosecutors often assume you’re guilty once you’ve been charged with driving under the influence. But the law requires them to prove it with strong evidence. That’s where a knowledgeable attorney can make a big difference.
Our Howard County criminal defense lawyers know how the local courts, judges, and procedures operate and will use our familiarity with Maryland law to benefit your case.
Here are some of the ways our law firm can help:
- Thoroughly investigating your arrest and the evidence against you
- Filing motions as appropriate to strengthen your case
- Gathering any available exculpatory evidence
- Working to have your charges reduced or dismissed
- Ensuring you always understand your legal rights and options
- Representing you at all court hearings and at trial, if necessary
We realize how serious DUI charges can be, and we’ll do everything possible to create a strong defense on your behalf. Contact our Howard County DUI lawyers today for a free case review.
A Brief Overview of DUI Law in Maryland
Driving under the influence (DUI) in Maryland generally means operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. If your BAC is between 0.07% and 0.08%, you might be charged with “driving while impaired (DWI),” which can also lead to penalties, though typically less severe than a full DUI.
DUI offense laws also cover drugs (prescription or illegal) that reduce your ability to operate a vehicle. The prosecution must prove you had enough of those substances in your system to affect your driving. Because of this, test results and officer observations often play a critical role in DUI cases.
Possible Penalties for a DUI Conviction in Howard County, MD
The penalties for DUI in Maryland depend on factors like your BAC level, prior offenses, and whether anyone was hurt.
Still, a first-time DUI conviction can lead to:
- Up to one year of jail time
- A $1,000 fine
- 6-month driver’s license suspension
- 12 points on your driving record
- Alcohol abuse assessment and program
Subsequent offenses carry steeper sanctions, including longer jail terms, higher fines, required installation of an ignition interlock device, and longer license suspensions. If someone is injured or killed, or if minors were in the vehicle, the court can impose enhanced penalties as well.
The penalties for a first-offense DWI conviction include:
- Up to two months of jail time
- A $500 fine
- 6-month driver’s license suspension
- 8 points on your driving record
Learn about your legal rights and options by contacting us for a free consultation. We’ll fight to eliminate or reduce the penalties you face as much as we can.
What Defenses Can I Raise in Response to DUI Charges?
“Beyond a reasonable doubt” is the highest standard of proof in the law. The prosecution must meet this standard to convict you as a criminal defendant.
Your attorney can explore many defenses, such as:
- Lack of probable cause for the traffic stop
- Improper administration of breathalyzer or field sobriety tests
- Faulty or uncalibrated test equipment
- Medical conditions that could skew test results
- Violation of constitutional rights (like illegal searches)
We’ll review every detail of your arrest. Sometimes, revealing a single mistake by officers or lab technicians is enough to weaken the state’s entire case.
Contact Our Howard County DUI Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
If you’re facing DUI charges in Howard County, Maryland, time is of the essence. Getting an experienced defense lawyer on your side can boost your chances of avoiding severe penalties. Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys has 125 years of combined experience and features the only board-certified DUI defense attorney in Maryland on our team.
Call us today or fill out our online form to arrange a free consultation with a Howard County DUI attorney. Let us discuss your case and start building the strongest defense possible. A DUI arrest doesn’t have to dictate your future; with the right legal counsel, you can fight for a better outcome.