Arrested for DUI in Maryland?
Don't face DUI charges alone. Our NHTSA-trained attorneys have helped over one hundred clients avoid convictions, license suspensions, and jail time.
Results based on internal tracking since 2022; outcomes vary. Not a guarantee.
Verified internally; last updated: Jun 2, 2026.
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Arrested for DUI in Maryland?
Don't face DUI charges alone. Our NHTSA-trained attorneys have helped over one hundred clients avoid convictions, license suspensions, and jail time.
Results based on internal tracking since 2022; outcomes vary. Not a guarantee.
Verified internally; last updated: Jun 2, 2026.
Columbia DUI Lawyer
Arrested for DUI in Columbia, Maryland? You need clear guidance, quick action on your license, and a defense that fits your facts. Our team practices DUI defense daily in Howard County. We dig into the stop, the tests, and the timeline, then build leverage for court and for the MVA. For the full picture of how these charges work across the state, start with our Maryland DUI defense overview, then come back here for the Columbia specifics.
Our firm has handled more than 170 DUI matters since January 2022, from first offenses to repeat and aggravated cases. Through aggressive pretrial motions and trial work, 41% of the DUI charges we've handled have been dismissed, nolle prossed, stetted, or resolved by acquittal. The overwhelming majority of our DUI clients have resolved their cases without a DUI conviction on their record.
Verified internally; last updated: Jun 2, 2026.
Our Columbia office
Meet with your lawyer in Columbia for strategy sessions, document review, and case updates. Our Columbia office is located at 6304 Woodside Court, Suite 110, Columbia, MD 21046.
If you prefer to start online, use our contact form to request a free consultation.
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.
Experience where it counts in Howard County courts
We handle DUI cases in Howard County District Court and in the Circuit Court for Howard County. Felony and certain serious DUI matters often begin in District Court and move to Circuit Court by indictment or transfer, which affects motion practice, timing, and negotiation posture.
Our Howard County content highlights that we know how cases are handled locally in both courts, and we bring that experience to every DUI defense.
What that means for you:
- Calendars and settings differ between District Court and Circuit Court, so we tailor your approach to the forum.
- Early motion practice can resolve issues in District Court or set up leverage if the case proceeds to Circuit Court.
- We coordinate MVA steps with your court strategy to protect your ability to drive.
Learn more about our county-wide coverage on the Howard County hub.
The Howard County bench and your Columbia case
Most Columbia DUI cases start in the District Court of Maryland for Howard County, which sits in District 10. Howard County shares District 10 with Carroll County, so the same group of judges rotates across both counties. More serious charges, and any case where you demand a jury trial, move up to the Circuit Court for Howard County, where we also appear regularly.
The judge assigned to your case shapes far more than the final verdict. Early on, a judge weighs bail and pretrial release conditions that decide whether you wait for court at home or in custody. As the case develops, the judge rules on motions that attack the traffic stop and the breath or blood testing. At the end, the judge handles sentencing and decides whether you qualify for Probation Before Judgment (PBJ), which can keep a conviction off your record. Knowing how the local bench tends to approach each of those moments helps us prepare you for what is coming.
Current District 10 judges include:
- Lisa L. Broten
- Erin M. Danz
- Claude de Vastey Jones
- Cara Yvonne Lewis
- Allison M. Sayers
- Wayne A. Brooks, Administrative Judge
DUI, DWI, and per se in Maryland
- DUI per se involves an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.
- DUI and DWI can be charged based on observed impairment, even without a .08 reading.
- Every part of the case can be challenged, including the stop, field tests, and any breath or blood result.
See our main DUI page and the breakdown of DUI vs. DWI.
Deadlines that affect your license
After an arrest you may have as little as 10 days to act to preserve driving privileges or to enroll in ignition interlock. Bring your paperwork to a free consult so we can map MVA options, any hearing request, and next steps.
What we do first
-
Stop and seizure review
Was there a lawful reason to stop the car or expand the investigation. If not, evidence can be suppressed. Read how we challenge a DUI stop. -
Field sobriety testing and video
Instructions, demonstrations, scoring, and any medical or footwear issues matter. -
Breath or blood test scrutiny
We examine operator steps, timing, machine maintenance, medical conditions, and chain of custody. See our approach to breath results and the Intox EC/IR II. -
Realistic outcomes
Depending on facts and history, paths can include dismissals, not guilty results, reductions, or Probation Before Judgment.
Common police mistakes we uncover
Some cases start with stops that lack a proper legal basis. Others involve drivers who were asleep or seeking shelter, not actually in control of a vehicle. Both issues can be case winning. Read about illegal stops and the shelter rule for sleeping drivers.
Penalties and practical stakes
Exposure ranges from fines and probation to jail, with increases tied to prior record, high BAC, crashes, or children in the car. Collateral issues include insurance, employment, and travel. If drugs are alleged, visit our page on drugged driving.
Reinstating or preserving your driving
License consequences are often decided early. We help with MVA hearings, ignition interlock selection, and proactive steps that also help in court. Many people complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program and follow tailored recommendations before a first court date.
Why FrizWoods for a Columbia DUI
DUI defense is a core practice, not a sideline. We appear in Howard County courts regularly and understand local procedures, from District Court to Circuit Court. You get direct access to your attorney, clear communication, and strategy that fits your goals. See what clients say on our reviews page.
Ready to talk
Schedule a free consultation so we can protect your license and build your defense. Use our contact form or call the Columbia office at (410) 346-9384.
Related local resources: Howard County hub, Columbia Criminal Defense, Ellicott City Criminal Defense, DUI vs. DWI, PBJ in Maryland DUI cases