Prince George's County DUI Lawyer
A DUI or DWI charge in Prince George's County can create a criminal court case and a separate administrative license issue. FrizWoods prepares both tracks from its Upper Marlboro office. A free consultation helps identify the charged subsection, review the paperwork, preserve evidence, and determine which court or MVA deadlines apply.
Call the Upper Marlboro office at (301) 720-1917 or request a free consultation. For statewide legal information, visit our Maryland DUI defense page.
Max Frizalone
Founding Partner | Former Assistant State's Attorney
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
Founding Partner | Former Supervising Public Defender
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.
Max and Luke's PG County DUI Track Record
Results matter more than promises. Here are recent DUI outcomes Max and Luke have secured in Prince George's County:
- DUI & DWI - Not Guilty. Max cross-examined the arresting officer, generating reasonable doubt about the field sobriety testing. The Court returned a not guilty verdict.
- DUI & DWI - Not Guilty. A client who had recently given birth was charged with DUI. Max argued that poor field sobriety performance was attributable to the recent childbirth, and the Court agreed.
- DUI & DWI - Dismissed. Luke identified that the client was stopped by a federal officer whose authority to conduct the stop was questionable. The State conceded and dismissed the case.
- DUI & DWI - Dismissed. The State was unprepared on the trial date. Luke was ready. The case was dismissed.
- DUI & DWI - Dismissed After Hicks Violation. The trial was not set in a timely manner. Luke filed a Hicks violation motion, and the State conceded the case.
These summaries come from the firm's established case-results source. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and every DUI case depends on its own evidence.
Why Max and Luke for Your PG County DUI
Max Frizalone previously served as a Prince George's County Assistant State's Attorney and Maryland public defender. He has completed NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement training. That background supports a structured review of the officer's instructions, demonstrations, scoring, and claimed observations.
Luke Woods has more than 20 years of Maryland criminal-defense experience and previously served as a supervising public defender and Army JAG officer. He has also completed NHTSA field-sobriety training. Max and Luke use distinct prosecution, public-defense, military, and trial backgrounds without attributing one attorney's credentials to the other.
Both Max and Luke are members of the National College for DUI Defense. Read their attorney biographies and the firm's published results.
How PG County Handles DUI Cases
DUI and DWI charges generally begin in the District Court of Maryland for Prince George's County in Upper Marlboro or Hyattsville. A qualifying jury-trial request or another procedure may place the case in the Circuit Court for Prince George's County. The citation and hearing notice control the location and required appearance.
The defense should not assume one piece of evidence decides the case. We compare the reason for the stop, body-camera or dash-camera footage, officer observations, field-sobriety instructions and scoring, statements, timing, and the foundation for any breath or blood result. A refusal allegation can affect both the evidence in court and a separate MVA process, but it does not produce one universal result.
What to do after a Prince George's County DUI arrest
- Save every citation, charging document, hearing notice, and MVA paper.
- Write down the timeline while events are fresh, including the stop, tests, statements, and release.
- Preserve receipts, phone records, photographs, and witness information without editing the originals.
- Read the temporary license and hearing instructions carefully. Deadlines and options depend on the paperwork and facts.
- Arrange a consultation before deciding how to address the criminal case or any MVA issue.
Bring your license, citations, charging papers, test or refusal paperwork, court and MVA notices, prior driving or criminal case information, and any relevant medical records to the consultation.
The Criminal Case and MVA Process Are Separate
The court decides the criminal charge. The Motor Vehicle Administration addresses driving privileges under a separate administrative process that may involve a test result, alleged refusal, hearing request, or ignition-interlock option. A development in one track does not automatically determine the other. We review both together so that a court strategy does not overlook a license deadline or consequence. Our Maryland ignition-interlock guide explains the statewide framework.
The five DUI/DWI charges under Maryland law
Maryland's Section 21-902 of the Transportation Article creates five distinct DUI/DWI offenses:
- 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 between DUI and DWI matters. A first DUI under Section 21-902(a)(1) carries up to one year in jail and a $1,200 fine. A first DWI under Section 21-902(b)(1) carries up to 60 days and a $500 fine. The charged subsection, prior record, alleged facts, test evidence, and procedural posture all affect the analysis.
How We Defend Prince George's County DUI Charges
- The stop. We examine whether the officer had a lawful reason to stop the vehicle and whether evidence that followed can be challenged.
- Field sobriety testing. We compare how the tests were administered and scored with the officer's training.
- Breath and blood evidence. We review calibration and maintenance records, observation periods, testing procedures, and chain of custody.
- The MVA case. We address the separate license proceeding alongside the criminal charge.
Could You Go to Jail for a DUI in PG County?
Jail is legally possible, including on a first offense, but no single outcome follows from the charge alone. The court considers the charged offense, prior record, alleged driving, injuries or property damage, test or refusal evidence, and other case-specific facts.
The risk of jail increases with aggravating factors:
- A DUI with an accident - injuries or property damage can change the charges and potential consequences
- Prior DUI convictions - repeat-offense provisions may apply
- A high test result - the alleged concentration can affect the criminal and administrative analysis
- An alleged refusal - refusal evidence can create separate court and MVA issues
Where mitigation is appropriate, preparation may include treatment records, employment and family information, driving history, and other supported material. That preparation does not replace a challenge to the State's evidence.
Your License After a PG County DUI Arrest
A DUI arrest can trigger a criminal case and separate action involving the MVA. A hearing is not automatic, and the options and deadlines depend on the papers issued, the alleged test result or refusal, and license status. Review the documents promptly rather than relying on a general deadline from a website.
Where Prince George's County DUI cases are heard
Most DUI and DWI cases in Prince George's County start in District Court. Some proceed in Circuit Court after a qualifying jury-trial request or another procedural event. The charging documents and hearing notice control.
PG County Court Locations
Hyattsville District Court
4990 Rhode Island Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781
District Court cases only.
Upper Marlboro court complex
14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
District and Circuit Court facilities are located at this address. Confirm the building, room, date, and time on the notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get a PBJ for a DUI in Prince George's County?
A: Probation before judgment (PBJ) may be available, but eligibility and whether a court grants it depend on the record, charge, and circumstances. A consultation can identify limitations that may apply to your case.
Q: What happens if I refused the breath test?
A: An alleged refusal can affect both the criminal case and MVA options. The administrative consequence depends on the paperwork, license history, and applicable refusal provisions. In court, the State may use observations, statements, recordings, and field sobriety testing even without a numerical breath result. Read more about breath-test refusal issues.
Q: Is a first DUI automatically a conviction or jail sentence?
A: No. A charge is not a conviction, and outcomes depend on the evidence, prior record, and available procedures. Jail remains legally possible, so the case should be evaluated on its own facts.
Q: Will I have to appear in court?
A: Follow the citation and every hearing notice. Whether counsel can address a particular event without you depends on the court, hearing type, and any permission granted in the case. Do not assume you are excused.
Q: How much does a DUI lawyer in PG County cost?
A: Fees vary depending on the complexity of the case, whether it involves a breath test or refusal, accident involvement, and prior offenses. We offer straightforward pricing and will discuss costs during your free consultation. Call us directly or contact us online.
Talk to a FrizWoods Attorney About Your PG County DUI
If you have been charged with DUI or DWI in Prince George's County, bring the paperwork to a consultation promptly so counsel can identify the court date and any license-related deadline shown on the documents.
Contact us today or call (301) 720-1917. Our appointment-based office is at 14513 Main Street, Suite B, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, and consultations are also available by phone or video. View directions. For representation on charges beyond DUI, see our Prince George's County criminal defense page.
Our firm has handled more than 208 DUI matters since January 2022, from first offenses to repeat and aggravated cases. Through aggressive pretrial motions and trial work, 44% of the DUI charges we've handled have been dismissed, nolle prossed, stetted, or resolved by acquittal. 88% of our DUI clients have resolved their cases without a DUI conviction on their record.
Verified internally; last updated: Nov 4, 2026.
Areas we serve
20607 (Accokeek), 20762 (Andrews AFB), 20608 (Aquasco), 20705 (Beltsville), 20710 (Bladensburg), 20715 (Bowie), 20716 (Bowie), 20720 (Bowie), 20613 (Brandywine), 20722 (Brentwood), 20782 (Chillum), 20735 (Clinton), 20740 (College Park), 20742 (College Park), 20743 (Coral Hills), 20737 (East Riverdale), 20747 (Forestville), 20744 (Fort Washington), 20745 (Glassmanor), 20769 (Glenn Dale), 20770 (Greenbelt), 20748 (Hillcrest Heights), 20781 (Hyattsville), 20774 (Kettering), 20721 (Lake Arbor), 20785 (Landover), 20783 (Langley Park), 20707 (Laurel), 20772 (Marlboro Village), 20712 (Mount Rainier), 20784 (New Carrollton), 20623 (Rosaryville), 20706 (Seabrook), 20708 (South Laurel), 20746 (Suitland)
More Prince George's County DUI Resources
- First-offense DUI guidance
- DUI and DWI comparison
- Repeat-offense DUI guidance
- MVA hearing information
- Maryland DUI defense overview