Criminal Defense Against Drunk Driving Charges
Maryland DUI Lawyers
An arrest for driving under the influence is a serious charge that requires experienced representation and swift action to protect your rights. Based in Greenbelt, Maryland, the Law Offices of Richard P. Arnold has successfully defended hundreds of DUI/DWI cases. We aggressively challenge the arrest and evidence obtained, to achieve the most favorable outcome for your circumstances.
Richard P. Arnold has practiced law for 35 years, including over 14 years as an assistant state's attorney. This experience gives him the ability to anticipate the prosecution's likely arguments and then skillfully challenge those arguments. The Law Offices of Richard P. Arnold represents clients statewide on all criminal charges, with offices in Greenbelt, Rockville, Annapolis and Upper Marlboro.
Protecting Your Rights in a Variety of DUI-Related Cases
- First Offense DUI (driving under the influence): If you are convicted of DUI with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more, penalties include up to 1 year in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, and 12 points on your license. Punishments are enhanced for subsequent DUI offenses.
- First Offense DWI (driving while impaired): It is also possible to face a charge involving a lower amount of alcohol in your system, usually .07 BAC. Conviction for DWI could result in up to 60 days in jail, up to a $500 fine, and 8 points on your license.
- First Offense Driving While Impaired by Drugs: This charge entails driving while your abilities are impaired by legal or illegal drugs and can result in a maximum of 1 year in jail and up $1,000 in fines.
- First Offense DWI with Minor in Vehicle: You could be sentenced to a maximum of 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
- First Offense Underage DUI (a BAC of only .02%; Maryland has a zero-tolerance law for minors caught driving under the influence): penalties include $500 fine and 45-day license suspension.
- First Offense DUI with a Commercial Driver's License (CDL): License suspension for up to 1 year; losing your CDL can affect your ability to make a living, so it is vitally important to aggressively fight against these charges.
- Refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test can result in an automatic 120-day suspension of your license, and can be admitted in court as prima facie evidence of your guilt.
Another consequence of a DUI/DWI conviction is that your insurance company could either cancel your policy or raise your rates substantially. You may be forced to obtain high-risk insurance at a much higher rate. Assuming you are convicted of any drunk driving-related charge, you need an attorney who will fight to get you the best possible sentence. There are options; probation, community service or substance abuse treatment could be alternatives to jail time and hefty fines. These alternative sentencing options could allow you to protect your driving privileges and prevent points from being added to your license.
Protect Your Driving Privileges
It is critical to contact an attorney immediately after you are charged with driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated. We will immediately file a request for a hearing before the Motor Vehicle Administration's Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Time is of the essence — you only have a short time to request that hearing before the MVA suspends your driver's license for 45 days.
It is possible to challenge drunk driving evidence, such as breathalyzer readings, field sobriety tests and urinalysis or blood test results. The skilled Maryland DUI lawyers at The Law Offices of Richard P. Arnold will present your case to the judge, challenge the prosecution's evidence, and seek to either have the charges dismissed or the sentence reduced.
Repeat offenders face much steeper penalties, so proper handling of a DUI/DWI charge by an experienced and aggressive attorney is even more important in that situation. An ignition interlock system could be required; these come with significant costs and inconvenience for you.
Contact our Greenbelt DUI/DWI Attorneys Today
We make it a priority to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in Maryland criminal laws. Contact us today to protect your rights; schedule your free initial consultation today.
