Waldorf, MD DUI Defense Attorneys

Lawyers for Drunk Driving Charges in Waldorf, Maryland

The dangers of drunk driving are well-known, and most people make sure to avoid getting behind the wheel after they have been drinking. However, there are many situations where people may be pulled over by police and arrested for DUI, including in cases that involve substances other than alcohol. After a DUI arrest, a person may be concerned about the penalties they may face and what steps they can take to defend themselves. An experienced attorney can provide the guidance and representation needed to resolve DUI charges successfully.

At Farmer & Klopfer, our lawyers defend people in Waldorf and other surrounding areas against DUI and DWI charges. We have decades of experience representing clients in criminal cases, and we know the best steps to take to address drunk driving accusations and help our clients minimize the penalties that may affect their lives.

DUI vs. DWI in Maryland

People in Maryland who are arrested on suspicion of drunk driving may be charged with either DUI or DWI. Understanding the differences between these offenses can help a person determine how to proceed during their defense.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Driving under the influence is the more serious of the two offenses. A person may be charged with DUI if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was over the legal limit of 0.08 percent while they were operating a vehicle.

Driving While Impaired (DWI)

Driving while impaired is a lesser offense that may apply when a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely had been affected by the use of alcohol or other substances, but they were not over the legal BAC limit. While DWI carries lighter penalties than DUI, it is still a criminal offense that can have serious consequences that may affect a person's life.

Penalties for DUI

The consequences of a conviction for an offense involving intoxicated driving may depend on whether it was a first-time offense or whether a case involved aggravating factors.

First-Time DUI

A person who is convicted of DUI for the first time may face a maximum penalty of one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

Second DUI Offense

A second DUI conviction will require a person to serve a mandatory minimum sentence of five days in jail, and their total jail sentence may last as long as two years. They may also be required to pay a fine of up to $2,000, and their license may be revoked for up to one year.

Administrative License Consequences

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration may take steps to suspend the driver's license of a person who has been arrested for DUI. A driver who is tested after a DUI arrest and is found to have a BAC that was over the legal limit may have their license suspended for six months. If a person refuses to take a breath or blood test after being arrested for DUI, their license will be suspended for nine months for a first offense or two years for a second offense.

A person can request an administrative hearing to contest the suspension of their driver's license. This hearing will usually need to be requested within 10 days after a traffic stop and arrest occurred. Our attorneys can provide representation during administrative hearings to defend against license suspensions.

Additional Consequences

Criminal penalties and license suspension are only part of the ways a person may be affected by DUI charges. A conviction will lead to a permanent criminal record, which may affect a person's employment prospects, their ability to obtain or keep a professional license, security clearances, housing applications, and much more. Insurance premiums may increase, and commercial drivers may face the disqualification of their commercial driver's license (CDL).

Defense Strategies in DUI Cases

Our attorneys can look at what happened before and after a DUI arrest to determine the defenses that may be used. We work closely with clients to build legal strategies that will help them avoid convictions and achieve the best possible outcomes in DUI cases. Our strategies may include:

Challenging the Validity of the Traffic Stop

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects people in interactions with police officers. An officer must have a reasonable suspicion of a crime before they can detain a person, including when they initiate a traffic stop. If an officer did not observe a traffic violation or other behavior that indicated that a person had committed a criminal offense, or if they did not have a valid reason to believe that a driver was intoxicated, a traffic stop may have been unlawful.

Our lawyers will review police reports and other evidence to determine whether an officer's stated reasons for a traffic stop matched the facts involved in a case. If we can show that an officer had no reason to stop a driver, we may be able to suppress the evidence the officer gathered, which could lead to the dismissal of DUI charges.

Challenging Field Sobriety Tests

Officers will often use field sobriety tests during traffic stops to determine whether a driver may be intoxicated. These tests are not always reliable. Conditions on the side of the road may have affected tests, or an officer may have interpreted a person's behavior incorrectly. Our attorneys can look at the procedures that were followed and argue that issues such as medical conditions, weather, uneven road surfaces, or other factors affected these tests.

Challenging Breath Test Results

A breathalyzer may be used to test the level of alcohol in a person's system after they are arrested for DUI. However, breath test machines must be properly calibrated, and their results may be unreliable if they have not been maintained correctly. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or acid reflux, can affect the results of these tests. Our lawyers can review records related to testing devices, the qualifications of officers who administered tests, and other factors to determine whether test results can be challenged.

Challenging Blood Test Procedures

When blood testing is used to measure a person's BAC, our attorneys can examine the procedures that were used when blood samples were collected and tested. We can determine whether there are gaps in the chain of custody or other issues that could have led to the contamination of a sample. By challenging the reliability of blood tests, we may prevent this evidence from being used against a person during a DUI case.

Contact Our Waldorf DUI Defense Lawyers

DUI charges can be serious, but with the help of the lawyers at Farmer & Klopfer, you can take steps to defend against a conviction. We will work to ensure that you will be able to resolve your case while avoiding serious penalties and minimizing the ways your life may be affected. Contact our Waldorf, MD DUI attorneys at 301-843-3890 today to set up your free consultation.