Upper Marlboro, MD DUI Defense Attorney

Skilled DUI/DWI Defense Lawyers Representing Residents of Upper Marlboro

One night of drunk driving can have long-term repercussions for your freedom. If you have been arrested for DUI or DWI in Upper Marlboro, you could be jailed, fined, and stripped of your driving privileges. However, with the help of a skilled DUI defense lawyer, you may be able to avoid a conviction or reduce the charges against you.

At Salvado Law Offices, we provide empathetic representation for people who have been charged with driving under the influence. We have received numerous accolades for our advocacy for our clients, including a placement in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. When you work with our firm, we will take the time to understand your case and develop a defense based on clear legal precedents.

The Difference Between DUI, DWI, and DUI Per Se

Maryland law recognizes several different types of drunk driving offenses. These offenses are as follows:

• DUI: You can be arrested for driving under the influence if a police officer judges that you are significantly impaired based on your driving or the results of a field sobriety test. A first conviction for DUI is punishable by up to a year in jail.
• DUI Per Se: This offense carries the same sentence as a regular DUI, but it is held to a different standard of evidence. Specifically, you can be charged with this offense if your blood alcohol content (BAC) measures above the legal limit of .08 percent in a blood or breath test.
• DWI: Driving while impaired is a lesser drunk driving offense that may be charged in cases where your BAC is below the legal limit, but you are still deemed to be impaired. This offense is punishable by up to two months in jail for a first conviction.

Field Sobriety Tests

Police officers often use field sobriety tests to gauge whether or not a driver is sober. In legal terms, the results of your performance in a field sobriety test may give an officer probable cause to arrest you. You may be asked to perform a horizontal gaze test, a walk-and-turn test, or a one-leg stand test.

You have likely heard of field sobriety tests before. What you may not know is that you can lawfully refuse to take these tests, which can give the prosecution less evidence to work with. Keep in mind that if you refuse a field sobriety test, the officer may decide to arrest you. However, if you are pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving, an arrest is a likely outcome regardless.

DUI Defenses

With an experienced lawyer at your side, you may be able to avoid a conviction for a drunk driving charge. At Salvado Law Offices, we can cite witness testimony to prove that you were not impaired while you were behind the wheel. Alternatively, we may be able to argue that you were not under the influence to begin with, as certain medical conditions might resemble intoxication to an observer.

If you were arrested after a field sobriety test, our lawyers can call the results of the test into question, challenging the officer's subjective observations. We may also be able to challenge the results of blood or breath tests based on issues such as testing equipment that was not calibrated correctly. Formulating the best defense for a DUI violation requires keen insight, and we have the experience to back up our legal knowledge.

Meet With an Upper Marlboro, Maryland DUI Defense Lawyer

A conviction for DUI or DWI can be incredibly damaging to your reputation, and it can affect many other areas of your life. A skilled Upper Marlboro DUI attorney from Salvado Law Offices can help you contest a drunk driving charge, looking for avenues of defense and possible mitigating circumstances. To schedule a free initial consultation with our firm, call our offices at 301-933-1814 or reach out to us online today.