Beltsville, Maryland DUI Defense Lawyer

Skilled DUI/DWI Attorneys Representing Clients in Beltsville, MD

A charge of driving under the influence in Maryland is not a slap on the wrist. If you are convicted, you could lose your license, alongside the possibility of jail time and high fines. Working with a DUI defense attorney is critical for avoiding the worst of these penalties, and it will ensure that your rights are spoken for in court.

At Salvado Law Offices, we defend Beltsville clients against charges of DWI, DUI, and felony DUI. We have developed a reputation for involved, aggressive criminal defense, with over 100 5-star reviews given to our firm by satisfied clients. When you work with our attorneys, we will give your case our full attention to determine the best strategy for your defense.

When Can You Be Charged With DUI in Maryland?

Every state has its own threshold at which a driver can be charged with driving under the influence, but Maryland is particularly strict. In Maryland, you can be charged with either DUI or DUI per se, which carry identical penalties but represent different levels of impairment. If you are detained on suspicion of DUI, you will be subject to chemical testing. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) reads at .08% or higher, you can be formally charged with DUI per se, a solid metric for determining impairment. However, you can also receive a standard charge of DUI if you are deemed to be substantially impaired, regardless of any chemical test results.

If you are convicted on a charge of DUI or DUI per se, you could be penalized by a year in jail and a possible fine of $1,000. This only covers the criminal penalties, however. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) can suspend or revoke your license and add points to your driving record, which can increase your insurance premiums.

Mitigating and Aggravating Circumstances

If the results of chemical testing show that your BAC was below the legal limit (therefore not qualifying for DUI per se), you could be charged with driving while impaired (DWI), a lesser crime. While it is still a misdemeanor, sentencing tends to be much more lenient than the average DUI charge.

DUI can be prosecuted as a felony on a third offense or higher, with a possible prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of no more than $5,000. For a fourth conviction, those penalties are doubled. You can also expect felony charges if your driving under the influence resulted in injury or death to another person.

DUI Defense Strategies

DUI charges are serious, but there are proven strategies that may be used to contest them in court. Our skilled DUI defense lawyers may argue that:

• The results of chemical testing were not accurate. Any number of outside factors can throw off a blood or breath test, such as rising alcohol levels in your bloodstream.
• You were not impaired by alcohol. An attorney can supply alternative explanations for your driving besides drunkenness, contradicting an officer's testimony.
• Your rights were violated in the traffic stop. If there was no evidence to suggest that you were impaired behind the wheel, the officer may not have had probable cause to pull you over.

Figuring out the right strategy requires a keen analysis of the circumstances behind your arrest. For that reason, it is highly advisable that you meet with an attorney in private as soon as possible after being arrested.

Meet With a Beltsville DUI Defense Attorney Today

If you face DUI charges in Maryland, your freedom may be at risk. A skilled DUI defense attorney can fight for you in court, providing persuasive representation and working to minimize the potential penalties you may face. To schedule a free consultation with Salvado Law Offices, call our offices at 301-933-1814 or contact us online.