Bethesda DUI Attorney

To learn about your defense options when facing alcohol-related driving charges, call our law offices today and consult with a Bethesda DUI lawyer. Our legal team is standing by to assist you.

On a daily basis, Bethesda police issue tickets for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. Because of the city’s close proximity to American University, Georgetown, other colleges, and Washington, DC, in general, Bethesda police are constantly on alert for drivers who may be impaired. In fact, Bethesda police often set up DUI checkpoints or traffic stops to check drivers and crack down on possible DUI offenders. For questions about how the law might apply to your case, you can consult with a Bethesda defense lawyer.

DUI Charges in Bethesda

Maryland law sets out five different offenses related to DUI, which include:

  1. Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI)
  2. Driving under the influence of alcohol per se (DUI Per Se)
  3. Driving while impaired by alcohol (DWI).
  4. Driving while impaired by drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol.
  5. Driving while impaired by controlled dangerous substance.

The specific charge you face will depend on the nature and severity or your alleged impairment.

If you submit to a blood alcohol test, you may be convicted of DUI if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is at the following levels or above:

  • .04% for drivers of commercial vehicles
  • .08% for all other drivers

Even if your BAC is under .08%, a police officer may claim to have observed signs of impairment during your traffic stop. Such observations may be combined with a showing of a BAC of at least .05% to convict you of DWI. Therefore, even if your BAC was within the legal limit, you may be facing a conviction and serious consequences for a criminal offense.

Additionally, if you refuse to submit to a BAC test, you may face a potential automatic suspension of your driver’s license for at least 270 days by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). A DUI attorney knows how to challenge this MVA suspension so that you may be able to keep your license throughout your case.

Penalties for DUI and DWI in Bethesda

The specific consequences for DUI and DWI in Maryland vary, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. For example, you may face harsher penalties if you have a minor in your vehicle or if you have prior impaired driving convictions on your record. The penalties for either of these offenses increase significantly if you were transporting a minor in your car at the time of your suspected DWI or DUI.

Even thought the potential penalties for DWI and DUI can be severe, an experienced Bethesda DUI attorney can help limit or even eliminate the consequences you may face. He or she will work to get your charges reduced or to argue that you are not guilty. There are many possible defenses to DUI charges in Maryland, and an experienced lawyer will know how to build an aggressive defense and fight for your rights in court.

Contact an Experienced Bethesda DUI Attorney for Help Today

If you are facing DUI charges in Bethesda, your first step should always be to contact an experienced Bethesda DUI attorney to discuss your case. Our dedicated attorneys will work to make sure you receive the best possible outcome in your case, including reduced charges and penalties or even a complete dismissal of your DUI charges.  Call our team today to set up your free, no-commitment consultation.