Skillful Maryland Lawyers Oppose Drunk Driving Prosecutions

Responsive defense attorneys in Frederick and Hagerstown assist with DUI and DWI litigation

Getting pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving is a stressful experience, particularly if you have never been stopped by the police. This leads many motorists to surrender their fundamental rights and decide against fighting the charges leveled against them, and that can be a harmful mistake. Even if you have tested over the legal intoxication level, the experienced attorneys of Haspel, McLeod & Drawbaugh, P.C. will seek to identify effective defenses. We conduct detailed investigations of the circumstances surrounding DUI stops, arrests and testing for the clients we represent throughout Frederick and Washington counties in pursuit of the best possible outcome in each case.

Accomplished law firm advises on blood alcohol testing and other issues

Drunk driving is a serious offense nationwide, with varying penalties for DUI convictions. In Maryland, with the 2016 passage of Noah’s Law, you face the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device in your car if you’re convicted of DUI. This means that you must pass a breathalyzer test before your vehicle can even start. If you are charged with DUI, our criminal defense attorneys will ensure you fully understand what is involved in your case, including the current rules relating to:

• Test refusal — Under the doctrine of implied consent, motorists on Maryland roads agree to submit to an intoxication test when requested by a police officer. Refusing to submit means that you will automatically have to use an ignition interlock device for nine months. Failure to use this device results in a one-year license suspension. This is not a criminal charge, but a driving infraction, so there is no opportunity to defend yourself.
• Driving under the influence (DUI) — Drivers 21 and older are legally intoxicated if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08 percent or greater. Younger motorists and commercial drivers are subject to stricter standards. A first offense can be punished by up to a year in jail, a suspended license, and a fine. Higher penalties exist for multiple offenders, cases where the BAC is at least .015 or more, and cases involving an accident.
• Driving while impaired (DWI) — Motorists whose BAC is .07 percent are considered to be driving while impaired under state law. Though the penalties for DWI are not as severe as those for DUI, a conviction can still lead to jail time, a fine and a six-month license suspension.

Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys work tirelessly to find legal flaws that affect drunk driving prosecutions, such as tainted test results and police stops that lack reasonable suspicion. We gather the relevant facts and use that information to help persuade prosecutors and jurors to make the right decision in your case.

Contact a tenacious Maryland DUI/DWI defense attorney to schedule an appointment

Haspel, McLeod & Drawbaugh, P.C. defends Maryland clients against drunk driving charges and other criminal allegations. Please call 301-631-0592 or contact us online to schedule an appointment at one of our offices, located in Frederick, Hagerstown and Rockville.