Rockville, MD DUI Defense Lawyer

Skilled DUI and DWI Attorney Defending Clients in Rockville, MD

An arrest for drunk driving can be overwhelming. There are severe penalties for driving under the influence or driving while impaired in Maryland. If you are arrested for DWI or DWI, you need to know what you can do to defend yourself.

A DUI or DWI conviction can affect your ability to find or keep a job, and it can cause your insurance rates to increase. It will also create a public record that others can see. If you are not a U.S. citizen, your immigration status may be affected. You need to make sure you can take the right steps to avoid a conviction or reduce the penalties that will affect your life.

What You Need to Know About DUI/DWI Cases

Everyone has the right to be represented by an attorney. However, not all attorneys are equal. Very few lawyers actually investigate DUI or DWI charges and prepare to take cases to trial. 95% of attorneys simply plead guilty, even when their clients have valid defenses.

At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, we are not like other attorneys. We work as a team and take the time and effort to defend our clients. We fully investigate cases, reviewing videos and other evidence with you to figure out the best arguments for defense. We will look at whether a police officer made a valid stop, recorded their observations, followed the right standards when conducting field sobriety tests, or administered breathalyzer tests in a timely manner. We will look for any errors the police may have made and use those to build a strong defense for you.

We are not interested in just pleading our client guilty, and we will work as a team to develop the strongest defense strategy for you. Our goal is to reduce the charges against you, minimize penalties, reduce fines, and protect you from potential jail time.

As we prepare your case, we will make sure you know what to expect as you enter the courtroom. We will make sure you know how and when to address the judge. We will make sure you understand what questions you will be asked and how you should properly answer them. We will make sure you are dressed correctly, and if you do not have a tie, we will provide it for you. We are here to stand by your side and make sure you can achieve the best possible results in your case.

First-Time DUI Offenses

If you are arrested for DUI or DWI for the first time, you may be intimidated by the police and the legal system. You may not know what steps to take to protect your rights. For first-time DUI offenders, a conviction can lead to fines, driver's license suspension, and possible jail time. Our attorneys work to minimize the impact of these charges and defend against convictions and large fines.

Second or Subsequent DUI Offenses

Repeat DUI offenses will usually carry more serious penalties. In these cases, you could face a longer license suspension, higher fines, and a mandatory jail sentence. Our lawyers understand the ways you may be affected by a conviction. We focus on developing strategies to mitigate these penalties.

Felony DUI Charges

Some DUI cases may involve aggravating factors, such as serious bodily injury, multiple previous DUI convictions, or driving with a suspended license. In these cases, arrests may lead to felony charges. A felony DUI conviction can have serious consequences, including lengthy prison time and large fines. We have experience handling complex DUI cases, and we can prepare strong defenses. Strategies may include reducing felony charges to lesser offenses or fighting for a dismissal or acquittal.

Motorcycle DUI

Maryland's DUI laws apply to motorcyclists as well as drivers of other vehicles. DUI charges involving motorcycles can be challenging, and issues like road conditions, motorcycle handling, and field sobriety tests may come into question. Our attorneys can address the specific issues that may affect motorcycle DUI cases. We will use our experience to protect your rights.

Commercial Vehicle DUI

Commercial drivers face unique challenges when they are charged with DUI. A commercial vehicle DUI can impact your career. The legal blood alcohol limit for commercial drivers is lower than for other drivers, and other factors may also come into play. We understand how a commercial DUI charge can affect your livelihood. We will work to find any flaws in the prosecution's case and defend against a conviction.

Underage DUI

Maryland has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21. Any alcohol in a young person's system can result in a DUI charge. Our lawyers take a compassionate approach to underage DUI cases. We know the issues that can affect young drivers, and we work to protect their futures.

Blood Alcohol Tests and Field Sobriety Tests in DUI Cases

Many different types of evidence may play a role in DUI or DWI cases. DUI/DWI tests that police officers use during a traffic stop or after an arrest may need to be addressed. We know how to review these testing methods and find flaws that may allow evidence to be challenged. We can address:

• Field Sobriety Tests: Officers may ask drivers to perform physical tests at the side of the road. These tests can be subjective, and we may be able to challenge the ways they were interpreted by officers.
• Blood Tests: A blood sample tested in a lab may be seen as the most reliable way to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC). However, the wrong procedures or other laboratory errors may lead to incorrect results. We will look at the chain of custody and any other errors to find out whether blood tests can be challenged.
• Breath Tests: Breathalyzers are often used in DUI cases to measure BAC levels. These tests are not always accurate, and errors or calibration issues can affect readings. Our lawyers can question breathalyzer results when defending against DUI charges.

Contact Our Rockville DUI Defense Attorney

At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, we are here to help you defend against DUI charges. We prepare each case for trial while fighting for the rights of our clients. We will work with you to build a strong defense strategy and resolve your case successfully. Contact us at 301-762-7500 to set up a free consultation. We are available to help you 24/7.