Arrested for DUI or DWI 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 1, 2026.
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Arrested for DUI or DWI 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 1, 2026.
Maryland DUI Lawyer | Top-Rated Criminal Defense Attorneys
A DUI charge in Maryland can be overwhelming. The potential loss of your license, hefty fines, and the prospect of jail time can change your life overnight. You do not have to face these challenges alone. At FrizWoods, we provide top-tier DUI defense across Maryland. Both DUI and DWI cases require a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney who understands the science behind testing, the rules governing traffic stops, and the strategies that lead to dismissals.
If you were arrested for DUI or DWI in Maryland, the next steps often involve two tracks: your criminal case in court and your driver's license consequences through the MVA. Many drivers have a limited time window to request a MVA hearing. A lawyer can review whether the stop was lawful, whether field sobriety tests were administered correctly, and whether breath or blood testing procedures were followed. The right defense strategy depends on the facts, your record, and the county.
NHTSA-Trained DUI Defense in Maryland
A Maryland DUI or DWI arrest creates two separate cases: the criminal charge in District or Circuit Court, and a license suspension at the MVA. The MVA piece runs on its own 10-day clock — if you don't request a hearing within that window, your license gets suspended whether or not you're ever convicted in court. At FrizWoods, DUI defense is what we do. Both of our partners completed the same NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety training the arresting officer did, which means we know which "clues" the officer was supposed to score and where the scoring usually breaks down.
Start here: DUI vs DWI differences | First-time DUI FAQ | Repeat offender DUI | Maryland DUI penalty chart | MVA hearing
Meet Our NHTSA-Trained Maryland DUI Defense Lawyers
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.
Both Max Frizalone and Luke Woods completed the same NHTSA DWI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety training that police officers receive, and both are members of the National College for DUI Defense, where they take continuing trainings in breath testing, blood testing, and trial advocacy. The practical effect: when an officer's report says you missed six of six clues on the Walk-and-Turn, we can usually identify at least one or two that were scored incorrectly under the officer's own training manual.
If you are under 21, read our Ages 18–20 DUI guide.
Why Choose FrizWoods for Your Maryland DUI Defense
DUI defense is the core of our practice, not a side category. Here's how that shows up in your case:
NHTSA training
We've taken the same field sobriety course officers take. We know which tests were run incorrectly, which clues were inflated, and how that changes the State's case.
Tried to verdict
We try DUI cases when the offer isn't right. The client reviews include dismissals, acquittals, and a 3rd-offense jury trial that came back not guilty.
We work the science
Calibration logs, maintenance records, observation periods, blood-draw protocols, retrograde extrapolation, rising-BAC — these are the levers we pull.
MVA and criminal, same firm
We handle the MVA hearing and the criminal case together. What happens in one changes what's possible in the other.
Four Maryland offices
Upper Marlboro, Columbia, Severna Park, and Chesapeake Beach. We're in central Maryland District and Circuit Courts every week.
24/7 attorney line
Call (877) 343-1031 at any hour. Talk to a lawyer before you make a statement that ends up in the report.
Negotiation when it fits, trial when it doesn't
We negotiate when the offer is right and try the case when it isn't. Prosecutors price their offers based on whether a firm will actually go to verdict.
Local court knowledge
We appear weekly in PG, Howard, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Baltimore, and Montgomery County and know the judges and prosecutors who will be in your case.
How We Build a DUI Defense
Every case has different facts, but the process for finding the weaknesses is consistent:
The traffic stop
Did the officer have reasonable articulable suspicion for the stop? If not, what came after it (breath, blood, statements) can be suppressed.
Field sobriety tests
We grade the tests against the NHTSA manual the officer was trained on. Improperly administered tests don't carry the weight the State assumes.
Breath and blood
Calibration records, maintenance logs, observation period, and chain of custody. We pull all of it for every breath or blood sample.
Video
Body cam and dash cam footage often contradicts what the written report says. We watch all of it.
Constitutional issues
Miranda, illegal searches, and improper questioning can suppress the State's evidence and lead to dismissal.
Negotiation
When negotiation is the right call, common outcomes include PBJ, reduced charges, and dropped DUI counts.
Trial
If the offer isn't right, we try it — bench trials in District Court and jury trials in Circuit Court.
MVA hearing
We handle the MVA hearing to fight automatic suspension and, where possible, avoid mandatory ignition interlock.
The 10-day MVA hearing deadline
You have 10 days from the date of arrest to request an MVA hearing. Miss that window and the suspension goes through automatically, no matter how the criminal case ends up. Call and we'll file the request the same day.
Understanding Maryland DUI Laws
Maryland recognizes two primary alcohol-related driving offenses, and the difference matters for your record, your license, and your sentencing exposure:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): The more serious charge, typically involving a BAC of 0.08% or higher, or impairment that "substantially" affects your driving.
- Driving While Impaired (DWI): A lesser charge, often involving a BAC between 0.07% and 0.08%, or other evidence of impairment by alcohol.
Read our full DUI vs DWI breakdown for sentencing differences and which charge you're actually facing.
Maryland DUI Penalty Chart
| Offense | Max Jail | Max Fine | License Impact | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st DUI | Up to 1 year | Up to $1,000 | 6-month suspension | 12 points |
| 2nd DUI | Up to 2 years | Up to $2,000 | 1-year suspension | 12 points |
| 3rd DUI | Up to 5 years | Up to $5,000 | 18+ months | 12 points |
| 4th DUI | Up to 10 years | Up to $10,000 | Enhanced suspension | 12 points |
A first conviction often triggers mandatory participation in Maryland's Ignition Interlock Program — especially if your BAC was 0.15% or higher, or you refused testing. See our full Maryland DUI penalty chart for the breakdown.
Aggravating Factors That Increase Your Exposure
Minor in the vehicle
A DUI with a passenger under 18 doubles maximum exposure and brings child-endangerment law into play.
BAC 0.15% or higher
A BAC at or above 0.15% triggers mandatory ignition interlock and enhances sentencing.
Test refusal
Refusal triggers automatic license consequences under Maryland's implied consent law. See the implied consent guide.
Accident or injury
An accident materially changes the case and can support additional vehicular charges.
Prior convictions
Each prior DUI within five years increases the mandatory minimums. See the repeat offender guide.
Driver under 21
Maryland enforces a 0.02% BAC limit for drivers under 21. See the ages 18–20 guide.
Types of Maryland DUI Cases We Handle
The defense that works for a first-offense case isn't the same one that works for a refusal case or a 3rd offense. These are the categories we work in regularly:
First-time DUI
Often the best opportunity for PBJ, reduced charges, or dismissal. See the first-time DUI FAQ.
Repeat offender DUI
2nd, 3rd, and subsequent DUIs carry mandatory minimums. See subsequent offender DUI.
DWI
Driving while impaired carries lower penalties than DUI but still goes on your record. See DWI defense.
Underage DUI
Zero-tolerance enforcement at 0.02% BAC for drivers under 21. See ages 18–20 DUI.
Per se DUI (0.08%+)
Charged on the BAC number alone. The defense usually runs through the testing methodology. See DUI per se.
DUI with accident
Higher exposure, potential civil liability, and additional charges where injury is alleged.
CDL DUI
Commercial drivers face stricter BAC thresholds and a license consequence that can end the career.
Out-of-state drivers
Non-residents arrested in Maryland end up dealing with both Maryland MVA consequences and reciprocal action from the home state.
Breath test refusal
Refusal triggers automatic license consequences but it also removes the BAC number from the criminal case, which sometimes helps.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland DUI
What should I do if I'm pulled over for a DUI?
Provide your license and registration. You don't have to answer questions about where you've been or what you've had to drink, and you can decline field sobriety tests. The breath test at the station is different — refusal there triggers a separate license consequence under implied consent. Call a lawyer before the MVA hearing.
Can I refuse a breathalyzer test in Maryland?
Yes, but under Maryland's implied consent law refusal triggers a longer license suspension than a failed test in many cases. Whether refusing actually helps or hurts depends on what the State already has and whether you have priors.
What is PBJ and can it keep a DUI off my record?
Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) is a finding where the court accepts the guilty plea but doesn't enter a conviction, placing you on probation instead. It's discretionary and depends on the judge, the facts, and your record. PBJ is a common favorable outcome in first-offense DUI cases but it isn't automatic.
Can a DUI charge be dismissed in Maryland?
Yes. Common bases for dismissal include unlawful stops, improperly administered field sobriety tests, breath machine calibration or maintenance failures, missing observation periods, Miranda violations, and chain-of-custody problems with blood evidence.
Can I take my alcohol classes online?
Yes, but only if the program is state-certified. Many generic online classes are not accepted by Maryland courts or the MVA. See: Can I Take Online DUI Classes in Maryland?
How long do I have to request an MVA hearing?
10 days from the date of arrest. If you miss it, the suspension goes through automatically regardless of how the criminal case turns out.
Will I have to install an ignition interlock device?
It depends on the BAC, whether you refused testing, and how the criminal case resolves. A BAC at or above 0.15% and test refusals typically trigger mandatory interlock. We've negotiated around mandatory interlock in cases where the facts allow.
How much does a Maryland DUI lawyer cost?
It depends on whether the case is a 1st offense, a repeat offense, or one that will likely go to trial. Consultations are free and we quote a flat fee. The cost is almost always less than the long-term hit from a conviction (insurance, lost wages, license restoration, ignition interlock).
DUI Defense Across Maryland — Find Your County
We defend DUI cases in courts throughout central Maryland. Find your county or city below:
Anne Arundel County
Howard County
Prince George's County
Baltimore Area
Montgomery County
Southern Maryland
Other Maryland Areas
Client Reviews
A few representative reviews from past DUI clients. The full set lives at our reviews page.
Related DUI Defense Resources
Charge-Specific Guides
License & MVA
DUI Process & Defense
Our DUI Defense Office Locations
Upper Marlboro Office
14513 Main Street, Ste B, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (301) 720-1917
Get directions on Google Maps
Columbia Office
6304 Woodside Court, Suite 110, Columbia, MD 21046
Phone: (410) 346-9384
Get directions on Google Maps
Severna Park Office
540 Ritchie Hwy Suite 301, Severna Park, MD 21146
Phone: (410) 883-5667
Get directions on Google Maps
Chesapeake Beach Office
9120 Chesapeake Ave #201, North Beach, MD 20714
Phone: (877) 343-1031
All offices available by appointment. Call our 24/7 attorney line at (877) 343-1031 for immediate help after a DUI arrest.
Talk to a Maryland DUI Lawyer
The State has the police report, the breath test, and the prosecutor. You should have someone who has actually tried these cases. The first call is free and the MVA clock is already running — reach us 24/7 at the number below.
Call 24/7: (877) 343-1031
Just got arrested?
If you were recently charged, the Maryland DUI case help page walks through what to do first.