Baltimore DUI Defense Lawyer
Maryland's driving while under the influence (DUI) and driving while impaired (DWI) laws are harsh. A conviction will result in the suspension of your driver's license and many thousands of dollars in fines and added insurance costs. While the cost of fighting a DUI or DWI conviction may be high, the cost of pleading guilty may be higher.
At the Law Offices of Charles L. Waechter, Attorney at Law, I have more than 25 years of experience defending people accused of drunk driving in Maryland. I offer a free initial consultation at any of my four office locations in Baltimore, Annapolis, Ocean City or Bel Air to discuss your case.
Maryland DUI and DWI Consequences
In Maryland, you can be convicted of DUI if you operated a motor vehicle with a .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). You can be convicted of DWI if you have a .07 BAC, or if you appeared to be intoxicated at the time of your arrest.
A DUI conviction carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. A DWI conviction carries a maximum penalty of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Both the jail time and the fines will double on your second conviction.
You also face suspension of your driver's license by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The length of your suspension will depend on your BAC and whether you refused a Breathalyzer test. If your BAC was .15 or higher, the only way you will be able to drive for the next year will be with an ignition interlock device installed on your car.
Defenses in DUI and DWI Cases
As your lawyer, I will examine the circumstances of your initial vehicle stop to ensure the police officer had cause to pull you over. Any discrepancy in the initial stop or during the field sobriety test may result in having the DUI or DWI charge reduced or dropped altogether.
I will also investigate the Breathalyzer testing procedure to make sure the test was administered properly. If the Breathalyzer device had not been calibrated for accuracy or if you were not under observation for the required period of time, those test results may be suppressed.
As your lawyer, I care about your legal defense as well as your personal recovery. If the state has a strong case against you, I can help you mitigate the penalties by enrolling you in an alcohol treatment program.
Free Consultation With an Experienced DUI and DWI Attorney
If you face drunk driving charges in Maryland, contact me, criminal defense attorney Charles L. Waechter, for help.
