Fulton, Maryland DUI Defense Attorney

Trusted DUI Defense Lawyer for Clients in Fulton

After a night of good times and high spirits, many drivers get blindsided when they are pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence. For motorists with clean criminal records, this can be a highly stressful experience. If you have been arrested for DUI or DWI in Maryland, do not let panic overtake you. A Fulton DUI defense lawyer can advise you of your options to fight the charge and pursue the best possible outcome on your behalf.

At The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC., we are ready to work with you from the very start of the legal proceedings in your DUI case. We believe that every good legal defense is built up with exhaustive preparation, so you can rest assured that we will work hard on your behalf.

Different Kinds of Drunk Driving Charges in Maryland

Every state has its own laws about drunk driving. In Maryland, you can be charged with driving under the influence or driving while impaired, which represent two different levels of intoxication.

DUI is charged when your blood alcohol concentration is measured at or above .08 percent. However, if your blood alcohol concentration is measured below that legal limit, you might still be charged with DWI. Though DWI is technically a lesser version of DUI, it can still come with serious penalties on a conviction, including fines, jail time, and the suspension of your driving privileges. At The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC., we frequently find that the scientific evidence in DWI cases is lacking. We can challenge subjective observations from police officers and interrogate botched testing methods in court.

Punishments for DUI Charges in Maryland

A first conviction of DUI in Maryland can have major repercussions, with a maximum sentence of up to a year in jail and/or a fine of $1,200. On a subsequent conviction, both the maximum jail sentence and fine are doubled. The penalties do not end there, however. Your license may be suspended for up to 180 days, or longer if you refused to take a blood or breath test after being detained.

In some cases, DUI may also be prosecuted as a felony. Different aggravating factors may result in felony DUI charges, such as:

• Driving drunk with a minor in the car
• Having two or more prior DUI convictions on your record
• Driving with a BAC of .2 percent or higher, more than twice the legal limit
• Injuring or killing another person while drunk driving

Felony DUI charges should be treated seriously. If you are convicted, you could face years in prison and a permanent criminal record.

Defenses Against DUI/DWI Charges

Our firm will work with you one-on-one to figure out the best strategy to protect you against a charge of driving under the influence or driving while impaired. Oftentimes, this involves taking a thorough look at the procedures that the police used to charge you.

The results of blood or breath tests can be skewed when not properly administered. We may question if the equipment was calibrated prior to your test, or whether or not the evidence was handled carefully. In other cases, we could challenge the arresting officer's observations. If you were pulled over without the reasonable suspicion that a crime was committed, we could challenge the legality of the traffic stop.

These are just a few examples of the defenses we can employ in court. When you work with our firm, we will look at the individual circumstances of your case to craft a sound strategy.

Meet With a Fulton, MD DUI Defense Lawyer

The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC. offers comprehensive legal services for people accused of drunk driving. To schedule your complimentary consultation today, call us at 301-589-9500 or contact us online.