Takoma Park, MD DUI Defense Attorney

Lawyer for Charges of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol in Takoma Park, Maryland

Being pulled over while driving can be a frightening experience, especially if a traffic stop could potentially result in an arrest for drunk driving. In these situations, many people may not know what to say or do, and they may worry about what steps they should take if they are arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI). Because of the serious penalties for DUI convictions, it is important to understand the options for defense that may be available in these situations.

The best step to take after being arrested for DUI is to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. There may be opportunities to challenge the evidence, avoid a conviction, and resolve a case while minimizing the issues that could affect a person's life going forward. At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our lawyer represents people in Takoma Park DUI cases, helping them determine the ideal steps to take to defend against these charges. He takes a personal approach to every case, getting to know our clients, explaining what they can do to protect their rights, and focusing on achieving the best possible outcomes to these matters.

DUI and DWI

In Maryland, there are two general categories of charges involving drunk or intoxicated driving:

Driving Under the Influence

DUI is the more serious of the two offenses. A person can be charged with DUI based on tests showing that they had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher while they were driving. DUI charges may also be based on the use of drugs or other substances that affected a person's ability to be able to drive safely, maintain control of their vehicle, and avoid situations that could put others at risk of injury.

A person who is convicted of DUI for the first time could be sentenced to up to one year in jail, and they may also be required to pay a fine as high as $1,200. For a second conviction, the maximum penalties increase to two years and $2,400.

Driving While Impaired

DWI charges may apply when a person's BAC is below the legal limit of .08%, but their ability to drive safely was allegedly impaired because of the use of alcohol or other substances. DWI is a less-serious offense than DUI, but it can still have serious consequences. A first-offense DWI carries a maximum sentence of 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. If a person is convicted of DWI a second time, they could be sentenced to up to one year in jail.

The Reasons a Person May Face DUI Charges

There are a variety of reasons people may find themselves facing DUI charges, including:

Alcohol Use

Most DUI charges are related to alcohol. An arrest for drunk driving may be based on a police officer's observations during a traffic stop, the results of field sobriety tests, or a portable breath test. Most of the time, breath or blood tests will be performed after an arrest, and if the results show that a person was over the legal limit for BAC, DUI charges will apply.

Drug Use

Under Maryland law, drivers are prohibited from driving while they are impaired by any controlled substance. Impairment may occur due to the use of marijuana or illegal drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, or MDMA. While many drugs do not have a legal limit that is equivalent to a BAC of .08%, charges of drugged driving may be based on a police officer's observations during a traffic stop, examinations by drug recognition experts, and the results of blood tests performed after an arrest.

Prescription Medications

There are a number of medications that may be prescribed by doctors and used legally that could lead to DUI charges. Certain drugs, including sleep aids, muscle relaxants, opioid pain relievers, and anti-anxiety medications, may affect a person's ability to drive safely. If a police officer believes that the use of a medication caused a person to experience impairments, they may arrest a driver, even if they had a valid prescription and were taking the medication as directed.

Combining Multiple Substances

Some DUI cases may involve claims that a combination of multiple types of substances caused a person to become impaired. Some people may be affected by combinations of substances in unexpected ways, and even if they were below the legal limit for alcohol, substances like marijuana, prescription drugs, or over-the-counter medications may have interacted in ways that led to intoxication. As with other types of drug-related DUI cases, these charges will often be based on the observations of police officers or drug recognition experts.

Underage DUI in Maryland

Drivers who are under the age of 21 are required to follow strict standards when it comes to alcohol or drug use. The zero-tolerance policies followed by law enforcement in Maryland may result in DUI charges for underage drivers who use alcohol, even if they are below the legal limit that would apply to adult drivers. In general, a BAC of at least .02% can result in underage DUI charges.

The consequences of an underage DUI charge can be serious. A violation of the zero-tolerance law may result in a license suspension of up to one year for a first offense or two years for a second offense. An underage driver may also face fines of up to $500 for a first offense or $1,000 for a second offense. If the minor's BAC was above the legal limit of .08%, they could face the same penalties that would apply to an adult driver who is charged with DUI.

Contact Our Takoma Park DUI Defense Lawyer

An arrest for DUI, DWI, or underage DUI is a serious matter. It is important to act quickly after an arrest and begin building a defense strategy. At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our lawyer can provide the personal attention needed to help a person address charges of drunk driving or drunk driving and defend against a conviction. Our goal is to help our clients resolve these cases while avoiding long-term penalties and protecting their licenses and their records. Contact our Takoma Park, MD DUI/DWI attorney by calling 301-762-7500 and setting up a free consultation.