DUI/DWI Lawyer in Towson, Maryland
Defending DUI/DWI Charges in Baltimore County, Maryland
Have you been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) by alcohol or drugs in Towson or elsewhere in Baltimore County, Maryland? You’re facing serious criminal charges that can result in jail time, heavy fines, driver’s license suspension, and other devastating consequences. When your freedom and future are at risk, you need an experienced Towson DUI/DWI attorney fighting tenaciously to protect your rights.
At Shepard Law, we have over a decade of success defending clients against the full range of drunk and drugged driving charges in Baltimore County, Maryland, including:
- DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol)
- DWI (driving while impaired by alcohol)
- DUI per se (DUI with BAC of .08 or more)
- Driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance (CDS)
- Driving while impaired by a combination of drugs and alcohol
- DUI/DWI with minor passenger
- Repeat offender DUI/DWI
No matter how challenging your drunk driving case may seem, you can count on our award-winning defense lawyer to aggressively pursue the best possible outcome. We understand the stress and uncertainty you’re experiencing, which is why we’ll be there for you at every step, providing the skilled legal representation and personal attention you deserve.
Understanding Maryland's Complex Drunk Driving Laws
Maryland’s DUI and DWI laws are among the most technical and complicated in the nation. The state actually has several distinct drunk driving offenses:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): The most serious drunk driving charge. Requires proof that alcohol “substantially impaired” your normal coordination. Penalties include up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine, and 12 points.
- DUI Per Se: Can be charged if chemical testing shows your blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.08 or higher, regardless of impairment. Carries same potential penalties as DUI.
- Driving While Impaired (DWI): A lesser offense than DUI. Requires proof that alcohol impaired your normal coordination “to some extent.” Penalties include up to 2 months jail, $500 fines, and 8 points.
- DWI While Transporting Minor: DWI offense with a passenger under 18 years old. Enhanced penalties include up to 6 months jail and $1,000 fines.
Similar offenses exist for driving while impaired by drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol. The specific charge you face will depend on factors like the amount of drugs/alcohol in your system and the degree of alleged impairment. As penalties can vary significantly, having an experienced attorney evaluate your case is critical.
The High Stakes of a Maryland DUI/DWI Conviction
The consequences of a drunk driving conviction in Baltimore County, Maryland extend far beyond potential jail time and fines. A DUI or DWI on your record can impact nearly every aspect of your life, including:
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation
- Points on your driving record
- Mandatory ignition interlock device installation
- Expensive alcohol education or treatment program
- Skyrocketing car insurance premiums
- Ineligibility for certain jobs requiring a clean driving record
- Damage to your personal and professional reputation
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- A permanent criminal record
For repeat offenders or those facing felony DUI/DWI charges due to aggravating circumstances like extremely high BAC or a drunk driving accident with injuries, the stakes are even higher. Lengthy mandatory prison sentences may apply. In short, a conviction can derail your life for years to come. That’s why your choice of drunk driving defense attorney is so important.
Proven Defenses in Maryland Drunk Driving Cases
Police and prosecutors have significant resources at their disposal in DUI/DWI cases. However, they must follow strict legal procedures in making traffic stops, conducting roadside investigations, administering field sobriety and chemical tests, and executing DUI/DWI arrests. When law enforcement cuts corners or violates your constitutional rights, a skilled defense attorney can leverage those mistakes to your advantage.
At Shepard Law, we have an extensive track record of success using proven defense strategies such as:
- Challenging the basis for the traffic stop as unlawful or discriminatory
- Disputing whether police had probable cause to arrest you for DUI/DWI
- Suppressing evidence obtained from illegal searches of your person or vehicle
- Attacking the accuracy and reliability of field sobriety test results
- Arguing that medical conditions or injuries affected roadside test performance
- Uncovering improper breathalyzer calibration or maintenance
- Revealing failures in adhering to strict blood testing protocols and chain of custody
- Impeaching the credibility of arresting officers or other state witnesses
- Negotiating favorable plea deals to lesser charges to minimize penalties
- Fighting for not-guilty verdicts at trial when necessary
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Contact a DUI/DWI Defense Lawyer in Towson, Maryland
Being accused of a DUI/DWI offense should be taken seriously because of the potential consequences involved. A Baltimore County, Maryland DUI/DWI defense attorney can be of great assistance to you even if you did not do anything wrong or have a defense to the allegations against you. An attorney can objectively evaluate the evidence against you, explore possible legal and factual defenses, gather evidence, and make sure that the State plays by the rules in court. Additionally, even if you are guilty of the offense, an experienced DUI/DWI defense attorney can help minimize the possible consequences of a conviction. Contact Shepard Law today to schedule a confidential, free consultation with an experienced Baltimore County, Maryland DUI/DWI defense attorney at our Towson, Maryland office if you have been accused of a DUI/DWI offense.
Avvo Rated 10.0 for DUI/DWI Defense
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Super Lawyers "Rising Star" 2024 Honoree
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Avvo Rated 10.0 for Criminal Defense
Avvo is one of the leading attorney directory listing services on the web. Avvo has ratings, reviews, and disciplinary records for lawyers in nearly every state. Avvo rates attorneys using a model that considers information that the attorney has included on their profile in addition to the information that Avvo collects from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. To read more about the Avvo rating system, click here.
