Howard County DUI Lawyer
A DUI arrest in Howard County starts two separate cases at once: the criminal charge in Ellicott City and a license suspension at the MVA. FrizWoods handles both, and we keep an office in Columbia. Both partners completed the same NHTSA field sobriety training the arresting officer did, so we know which "clues" the officer was supposed to score and where that scoring breaks down. For the statewide picture, see our Maryland DUI lawyer hub.
Call us 24/7 at (877) 343-1031 or use our contact form for a free consultation.
Our firm has handled more than 199 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. 87% of our DUI clients have resolved their cases without a DUI conviction on their record.
Verified internally; last updated: Sep 11, 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.
How DUI Cases Work in Howard County
Most Howard County DUI cases start in the District Court of Maryland for Howard County in Ellicott City and move to the Circuit Court for Howard County if you demand a jury trial or the State adds serious counts. Howard County shares District 10 with Carroll County. The judge sets pretrial release, rules on motions challenging the stop and the testing, and decides sentencing, including whether you receive a Probation Before Judgment that keeps a conviction off your record.
Howard County DUI Charges and Penalties
Maryland charges five DUI and DWI offenses under Section 21-902 of the Transportation Article, from driving under the influence per se (a BAC of 0.08 or higher) down to driving while impaired. A first DUI under Section 21-902(a)(1) carries up to 1 year in jail and a $1,200 fine, a second up to 2 years, and a third up to 5 years. A BAC of 0.15 or higher, or a test refusal, triggers mandatory ignition interlock. See the full Maryland DUI penalty chart and our DUI vs DWI breakdown.
How We Defend Howard County DUI Charges
- The stop. If the officer lacked a lawful reason to pull you over, the breath test, field sobriety results, and statements that followed can be suppressed.
- Field sobriety testing. We grade the tests against the NHTSA manual the officer trained on. Improperly administered tests do not carry the weight the State assumes.
- Breath and blood. We pull calibration records, maintenance logs, the observation period, and chain of custody for every sample.
- The MVA hearing. For an administrative per-se Order of Suspension, you generally have 30 days from the Order to request an MVA hearing, but requesting it within 10 days is important to ensure your driving privilege is not suspended before the hearing. We handle it alongside the criminal case.
Types of Howard County DUI Cases
- First-time DUI, often the best opportunity for PBJ or a reduced charge. See the first-time DUI FAQ.
- Repeat offender DUI, which carries mandatory minimums.
- DWI, a lesser charge that still goes on your record.
- Breath test refusal, which triggers automatic license consequences but removes the BAC number from the criminal case.
Communities We Serve
We defend DUI cases across Howard County, including Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Clarksville, Fulton, Savage, and West Friendship.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to protect my license after a Howard County DUI?
For an administrative per-se Order of Suspension, you generally have 30 days from the Order to request an MVA hearing. Requesting it within 10 days is important to ensure your driving privilege is not suspended before the hearing.
Can I get a PBJ for a DUI in Howard County?
Often, yes, on a first offense. Probation Before Judgment keeps a conviction off your record, but it is discretionary and depends on the judge, the facts, and your record.
Can a Howard County DUI be dismissed?
Yes. Common bases include an unlawful stop, improperly administered field sobriety tests, breath machine calibration failures, and chain-of-custody problems with blood evidence.
Talk to a Howard County DUI Lawyer
The MVA clock is already running. Call (877) 343-1031 or contact us for a free consultation. We also handle the full range of charges on our Howard County criminal lawyer page.