Calvert County DUI Lawyer
If you have been charged with DUI in Calvert County, you want a lawyer who has actually tried DUI cases in that courtroom, in front of those judges, against those prosecutors. That is exactly what you get with FrizWoods. Luke Woods spent over a decade as the supervising public defender in Calvert County, handling thousands of criminal and traffic cases in the same courtrooms where your case will be heard. Max Frizalone is a former prosecutor, NCDD-certified DUI defense attorney, and Super Lawyers Rising Star who has secured not guilty verdicts and dismissals in Calvert County DUI cases.
Both Luke and Max have won cases before Calvert County's two sitting District Court Judges, Judge Riddle and Judge Saunders. In a small jurisdiction like Calvert County, that kind of courtroom familiarity is not a luxury. It is an advantage.
Luke and Max's Calvert County DUI Results
Here is what Luke and Max have done for DUI clients in Calvert County:
- DUI & DWI -- Not Guilty. Luke cross-examined the arresting officer on the administration of field sobriety tests, including horizontal gaze nystagmus testing. The Court invalidated the testing and returned a not guilty verdict. (2026)
- DUI & DWI -- Not Guilty. Max challenged the officer's field sobriety administration on cross-examination. The Court returned a not guilty verdict. (2026)
- DUI & DWI -- Dismissed. Luke was able to convince the State that the evidence was insufficient to proceed to trial. (2025)
- DUI & DWI -- Not Guilty. Max's cross-examination revealed that the officer coerced the client into performing field sobriety tests. The Court excluded the tests and returned a not guilty verdict. (2024)
- DUI & DWI -- Dismissed. Luke argued that dash cam footage showed no valid reason for the traffic stop. The State agreed the case was weak and dismissed the charges. (2024)
For results across all charge types and counties, visit our Notable Case Results page.
Why Luke and Max for Calvert County DUI
Luke Woods: Calvert County's Most Experienced DUI Defender
Luke is not just familiar with Calvert County's courts. He practically lived in them. As the supervising attorney at the Calvert County Office of the Public Defender for over a decade, Luke tried hundreds of criminal traffic offenses, including DUI cases, in front of the same judges who sit on the bench today. Before that, he served as a U.S. Army JAG Corps officer and a Department of Justice law clerk.
That background gives Luke something most DUI lawyers lack: a deep understanding of how Calvert County's small court system actually works. He knows which arguments resonate with Judge Riddle and Judge Saunders, how the local ASAs build their DUI cases, and where the procedural gaps tend to appear. His 2024 dismissal, where he used dash cam footage to challenge the legality of the stop, is a textbook example of that local knowledge at work.
Max Frizalone: Former Prosecutor, DUI Specialist
Max brings a prosecutor's perspective to DUI defense. As a former assistant state's attorney in Prince George's County, Max has sat on the other side of the courtroom and knows how the State constructs its case. He has completed SFST (Standardized Field Sobriety Testing) and ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement) training, the same law enforcement courses that officers use to detect impaired drivers. That technical knowledge lets Max challenge field sobriety evidence on grounds that most attorneys do not even recognize.
Max is a member of the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), a credential held by very few Maryland DUI lawyers. He has been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list from 2024 through 2026. His two not guilty verdicts in Calvert County both came from cross-examinations that dismantled the State's field sobriety evidence.
How DUI Enforcement Works in Calvert County
DUI enforcement in Calvert County is primarily handled by the Calvert County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police barrack in Prince Frederick. After a traffic stop, officers will typically request field sobriety tests and, if they believe impairment exists, a breath test on the Intoximeter at the station.
Luke and Max are trained in the same NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing protocols used by these agencies. They routinely challenge how officers administer and score SFSTs, portable breath tests, and Intoximeter results in Calvert County cases. Errors in administration are more common than most people realize, and those errors can be the difference between a conviction and an acquittal.
Calvert County District Court
Calvert County has a single District Court and a single Circuit Court, both located in Prince Frederick. DUI cases are heard at the District Court level. The smaller court environment means judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys interact closely and frequently. Luke's years of daily practice in these courtrooms give FrizWoods clients a local advantage that out-of-area attorneys cannot match.
DUI and DWI Charges Under Maryland Law
There are five distinct DUI/DWI charges under Section 21-902 of the Transportation Article:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol per se -- BAC of .08 or higher
- Driving under the influence of alcohol -- impaired to a substantial degree
- Driving while impaired by alcohol -- impaired to some degree (BAC .07 or lower can still support this charge)
- Driving while impaired by drugs and/or alcohol -- combination of substances
- Driving under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance -- drugged driving
The distinction matters. DUI carries up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. DWI carries up to 60 days and a $500 fine. The Calvert County State's Attorney's Office often asks for incarceration in DUI cases, which makes having a local attorney who understands the jurisdiction's tendencies critical.
Could You Go to Jail?
Jail is possible but not a foregone conclusion, especially for first-time offenders. In our experience handling DUI cases in Calvert County, most first-time defendants can avoid incarceration by hiring an attorney, enrolling in substance abuse programming, and taking the proper steps with the MVA before the court date.
The risk of jail increases with aggravating factors:
- A DUI with an accident -- injuries or property damage raise the stakes
- Prior DUI convictions -- second and third offenses carry enhanced penalties
- A high breath test result -- readings well above .08 draw more scrutiny
- A refusal -- while refusing limits the State's chemical evidence, it triggers automatic license suspension and can signal consciousness of guilt
Luke and Max prepare mitigation packages for every DUI client. That includes gathering documentation of employment, community ties, treatment enrollment, and other factors that demonstrate you are taking the charge seriously before trial.
Your License After a Calvert County DUI
A DUI arrest triggers two separate proceedings: the criminal case in court and an administrative hearing at the MVA. You have only 10 days from the date of your arrest to request an MVA hearing, or you risk automatic suspension. Luke and Max handle both the criminal case and the MVA hearing so nothing falls through the cracks.
If you blew .08 or higher, the MVA will impose a 45-day suspension (first offense) or 90-day suspension (second offense). If you refused the breath test, the suspension jumps to 270 days. In either case, you may need to participate in the ignition interlock program to get restricted driving privileges.
Common DUI Defenses in Calvert County
Luke and Max look at every angle of a Calvert County DUI case. Here are some of the defenses they evaluate during every free consultation:
Challenging the traffic stop. Officers must have a valid reason to pull you over. Luke's 2024 dismissal came from proving, through dash cam footage, that the stop had no legal basis. Common stop justifications include equipment violations (headlights, tail lights, tag lights) and moving violations (speeding, swerving, failure to stop). Each can be challenged.
Attacking field sobriety testing. SFSTs must be administered according to strict NHTSA protocols. Max's SFST and ARIDE training allows him to identify when officers deviate from protocol, which can lead to test results being excluded. His 2024 not guilty verdict came from showing that an officer coerced the client into performing the tests.
Challenging the breath test. The Intoximeter EC/IR II must be properly calibrated and administered. Errors in calibration, observation period, or administration can undermine the accuracy of the result.
Asserting your rights. You have the right to remain silent during a traffic stop. You are not required to tell an officer whether you have been drinking or how much. You have the right to refuse field sobriety tests. If an officer refused to allow you to contact an attorney after arrest, the case may be dismissed.
FAQs
Q: Can I get a PBJ for a DUI in Calvert County?
A: Yes. Probation before judgment (PBJ) is available for DUI and DWI charges. A PBJ means the judge withholds a conviction and places you on probation. It keeps the offense off your criminal record for most purposes, though it still counts as a prior offense if you are charged with DUI again. Luke and Max regularly negotiate PBJ outcomes for DUI clients in Calvert County.
Q: What if I refused the breath test?
A: Refusing a breath test triggers a 270-day license suspension through the MVA. In court, the State must rely on the officer's observations and field sobriety testing to prove impairment, which is significantly harder without chemical evidence. A refusal case is often very defensible. Read more about the consequences of refusing a breathalyzer.
Q: I got a DUI on Route 4. Which court will my case be in?
A: DUI arrests anywhere in Calvert County are heard at the District Court in Prince Frederick. Whether you were stopped on Route 4 in Dunkirk, Prince Frederick, or Lusby, the case goes to the same courthouse. Luke and Max know this court inside and out.
Talk to Luke or Max About Your Calvert County DUI
If you have been charged with DUI or DWI in Calvert County, the 10-day MVA deadline is already running. Call FrizWoods to speak directly with Luke Woods or Max Frizalone. We offer free consultations 24/7.
Contact us today or call (301) 720-1917.
Since January 2022, our firm has defended numerous DUI cases, demonstrating our proven track record and dedication to delivering strong, effective defenses for every client. Our strategic, aggressive defense has resulted in a significant percentage of DUI charges being dismissed by prosecutors, judges, or juries—helping clients avoid the serious impact of a criminal record. Through skilled trial work, targeted motions, and effective mitigation, we’ve helped an overwhelming percentage of our DUI clients avoid a conviction and preserve their records.
Verified internally; last updated: Mar 26, 2026.
Max Frizalone
Built a solid reputation as a DUI specialist by securing acquittals by jury and judge in numerous counties.
- Completed NHTSA DWI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and NHTSA Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement Training (ARIDE)
- Committed member of the National College for DUI Defense
- Track record of not-guilty verdicts and charge reductions in DUI cases.
Luke Woods
Seasoned DUI litigator with hundreds of criminal traffic trials.
- Served in multiple roles within the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (Army JAGS) and as a District Public Defender for Calvert County.
- Has tried hundreds of criminal traffic offenses, including countless DUI cases.
- NHTSA-trained and a committed member of the National College for DUI Defense.
Areas we serve
20610 Barstow, 20615 Broomes Island, 20629 Dowell, 20639 Huntingtown, 20657 Lusby, 20676 Port Republic, 20678 Dares Beach, 20678 Prince Frederick, 20685 St. Leonard, 20688 Solomons, 20689 Sunderland, 20714 North Beach, 20732 Chesapeake Beach, 20736 Owings, 20754 Dunkirk