Prince George's County DUI Lawyer
A DUI charge in Prince George's County is serious, but it is not a conviction. The attorneys at FrizWoods, Max Frizalone and Luke Woods, appear in PG County District Court on DUI matters regularly. Between them, they have secured multiple not guilty verdicts, dismissals, and favorable resolutions for clients charged with DUI and DWI in Prince George's County.
Max is a former Prince George's County prosecutor who worked in the State's Attorney's Office. He knows the prosecutors, the courtrooms, and how the office builds its DUI cases. Luke is a veteran trial attorney with more than 20 years of criminal defense experience, including over a decade as a supervising public defender. Together, they bring a level of courtroom familiarity in PG County that most DUI attorneys simply do not have.
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 are just PG County DUI results. For outcomes across all charge types and counties, visit our Notable Case Results page.
Why Max and Luke for Your PG County DUI
Not every DUI lawyer has tried cases on both sides of the courtroom in Prince George's County. Max has. As a former assistant state's attorney in PG County, Max understands how the prosecution approaches DUI cases from the inside. He knows which arguments carry weight, which officers the State relies on, and where the weaknesses tend to be. Max has also completed SFST (Standardized Field Sobriety Testing) and ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement) training, the same courses that officers take to learn how to detect impaired drivers. That training lets him challenge field sobriety evidence on technical grounds that most attorneys miss.
Luke brings a different kind of strength. His 20+ years of trial experience mean he has seen every variation of a DUI case. He has a reputation for meticulous preparation and cross-examination that exposes gaps in the State's evidence. Luke served as the supervising attorney at the Calvert County Public Defender's Office for over a decade, handling thousands of cases. His ability to read a courtroom and adapt under pressure has led to acquittals and dismissals in jurisdictions across the state.
Both Max and Luke are members of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys' Association. Max is also a member of the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), a credential most Maryland DUI lawyers do not hold.
How PG County Handles DUI Cases
DUI cases in Prince George's County are heard in District Court, either in Upper Marlboro or Hyattsville. Max and Luke have appeared in front of all sixteen PG County District Court Judges. Several of those judges were previously prosecutors or State's Attorneys, and many have shared the courtroom with Max and Luke over the years.
After a DUI arrest, you will typically be taken to a local police station for processing. If you provided a breath sample, the result becomes a central piece of the State's case. If you refused, the State will rely on the officer's observations and field sobriety testing to argue impairment. Either way, there are defenses available, and Max and Luke know how to find them.
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. DUI carries up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. DWI carries up to 60 days and a $500 fine. The charge you face, and how aggressively the State pursues it, often depends on the strength of the evidence. That is exactly where having an attorney who knows PG County makes a difference.
Could You Go to Jail for a DUI in PG County?
Jail is possible but not inevitable, especially for first-time offenders. In our experience, most first-time DUI defendants in Prince George's County 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 significantly
- Prior DUI convictions — second and third offenses carry enhanced mandatory penalties
- A high breath test result — readings well above .08 draw more scrutiny from judges
- A refusal — while refusing a breath test limits the State's evidence, it also triggers automatic license suspension and can signal consciousness of guilt to a judge
Max and Luke prepare mitigation packages for every DUI client. That means gathering evidence of employment, community ties, treatment enrollment, and other factors that show the judge you are taking the charge seriously, even before your trial date.
Your License After a PG County DUI Arrest
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 of your driving privileges. Max and Luke handle both sides, the criminal case and the MVA hearing, so nothing falls through the cracks.
PG County Court Locations
Hyattsville District Court
4990 Rhode Island Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781
District Court cases only.
Upper Marlboro Courthouse
14735 Main St, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Both District and Circuit Court cases.
FAQs
Q: Can I get a PBJ for a DUI in Prince George's County?
A: Yes. Probation before judgment (PBJ) is available for DUI and DWI charges in Maryland, including in PG County. 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. Max and Luke regularly negotiate PBJ outcomes for DUI clients.
Q: What happens if I refused the breath test?
A: Refusing a breath test triggers an automatic 270-day license suspension through the MVA. In court, the State will rely on the officer's observations and field sobriety testing to try to prove impairment. A refusal case is very defensible because the State has no chemical evidence of your BAC. Read more about the consequences of refusing a breathalyzer.
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 Max or Luke About Your PG County DUI
If you have been charged with DUI or DWI in Prince George's County, do not wait. The 10-day MVA deadline starts the day of your arrest. Call FrizWoods to speak directly with Max Frizalone or Luke Woods. We offer free consultations 24/7.
Contact us today or visit our Upper Marlboro office at 14513 Main Street, Suite B, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772.
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 9, 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)