Baltimore DUI Attorney

When it comes to DUI charges in Baltimore, Maryland, an arrest is not a guarantee of a conviction. With legal representation from a Baltimore DUI lawyer, you can fight and minimize the harm of your DUI charge.

Even with evidence from blood alcohol analysis or breathalyzer tests, your attorney can help build a DUI defense that results in a dismissal or reduction of charges. You may feel that your conviction is certain, however an experienced Baltimore DUI attorney has the legal knowledge to successfully defend you. From negotiating reduced sentencing to challenging the legality of your arrest, your lawyer has an arsenal of resources for use in your defense. Call today to discuss your case with a seasoned criminal attorney.

• What to Expect From a DUI Court Date in Baltimore
• DUI Myths
• What To Expect at a DUI Stop
• DUI Prosecution
• License Penalties
• CDL Holders
• Ignition Interlock
• Juvenile DUI Charges

What To Do If You Are Pulled Over For A DUI In Baltimore

Baltimore, like all of Maryland, treats driving under the influence (DUI) seriously. DUI charges, even for a first-time DUI, can lead to serious criminal and administrative penalties. Although DUI law is state-wide, different counties have different practices regarding processing cases, law enforcement, and prosecutorial discretion. Thus, it is very important that you contact a local Baltimore DUI lawyer who will be best-suited to defend your interests and liberty in court. They will have a pulse on the prosecutorial trends in the area when it comes to these very common DUI charges.

If you are pulled over in a traffic stop and suspected of DUI in Baltimore, there are two critical mistakes you can make that jeopardize the outcome of your DUI case:

• Not understanding your rights.
• Failing to contact a Baltimore DUI lawyer as soon as possible.

How a Baltimore DUI Lawyer Can Help

Your right to silence to avoid self-incrimination begins not with the reading of your Miranda rights but at the minute you are pulled over. Provide your identification to police when asked, but do not say anything else without the advice of your Baltimore DUI attorney. You do not have to tell police where you have been; you do not have to tell them whether or not you have had anything to drink—or how much you may have had to drink; you do not have to perform field sobriety tests or take a roadside breath test from a portable device. The constitution guarantees people certain rights and freedoms, and if they have been violated during a DUI traffic stop, you may have a defense against your charge.

If you are arrested, you will be asked to take a blood-alcohol analysis test at the police station or a hospital. This is the official test; you may refuse the test, but if you do so, your license will be automatically suspended, and an attorney cannot help you get it reinstated.

For the best protection and the best start to your defense, politely decline to speak with police until you have had a chance to consult an attorney. Your Baltimore DUI lawyer will help you understand your options and make wise choices throughout the process. They can advise you on what actions you can take that may help you mitigate damage. After you have hired a lawyer for your defense, the process of building a case begins. An experienced and established local attorney will know reliable expert witnesses to call upon for their testimony in court.

Baltimore, Maryland DUI Penalties

If you are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) or driving under the influence of drugs in Baltimore, Maryland, you are subject to legal penalties and personal ramifications that can have a serious impact on your finances, freedoms, and opportunities. For people who are charged while still underage or are still minors, there may also be additional consequences on their driving privileges and status at their school. Consequences of a DUI charge may include:

• Fines
• Jail or Prison Sentences
• Loss of Driver’s License
• Installation of Ignition Interlock
• Probation
• Mandatory Alcohol Counseling
• Increased Insurance Premiums
• Loss of Educational Opportunities
• Loss of Employment Opportunities
• Tarnished Reputation

However, you can avoid paying such a high price for conviction with the help of a Baltimore DUI lawyer. Additionally, depending on if you are facing your first, second, third, or subsequent DUI charge, the potential penalties you are facing could also vary. If you are arrested for DUI in Baltimore, contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and to build a strategy for your defense.

In the event that your case cannot be dismissed, a lawyer will work with you and the state’s attorneys to minimize the impact of a DUI conviction. Reduced charges and probation before judgment (PBJ) are options your attorney can use to facilitate your defense. In addition, a DUI lawyer in Baltimore can help you with the administrative proceedings following a DUI charge.

If another person’s injury or inadvertent death results from a possible DUI, there is the potential that the driver can face a felony charge.

Talk with a Baltimore DUI Attorney

Baltimore DUI cases are generally heard by the Baltimore City District Court. Your Baltimore DUI attorney will defend you before a judge or jury at either the Borgerding District Court Building, located at 5800 Wabash Avenue or the Eastside District Court Building, located at 1400 E. North Avenue. Here is more information on all the courthouses serving the City of Baltimore.

When selecting an attorney to represent you in your DUI case, it is important to find an attorney that has experience in the Baltimore City District Court and understands how to use the nuances of the local court to best defend your case. In addition, find an attorney that provides help with the MVA hearing that accompanies the DUI criminal proceedings.

If you are charged with DUI in Baltimore County, your DUI case will likely be heard at one of two locations of the Baltimore County District Court:

• 120 E. Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MD
• 8914 Kelso Drive, Essex, MD