DUI Lawyer Maryland, MD
Facing a DUI charge in Maryland can put your driver’s license, your finances, and your freedom at risk. Maryland law treats driving under the influence as a criminal offense, and a conviction can carry fines, jail time, license points, and long-term consequences for your driving record and insurance. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team concentrate on representing individuals charged with DUI and related traffic offenses throughout the state. Mr. Sris founded the firm in 1997 and has spent his career handling serious criminal and traffic matters. If you are looking for legal guidance after a DUI arrest in Maryland, call (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
What DUI Means in Maryland
Maryland’s DUI statute makes it unlawful to drive or attempt to drive a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more. A related charge, driving while impaired (DWI), applies when a driver’s BAC is at least 0.07% but less than 0.08%, or when alcohol has impaired the driver’s normal coordination to any extent. Both charges carry administrative and criminal penalties, though DUI is the more serious offense. Maryland also enforces an implied consent law: by driving in the state, you have already agreed to submit to a chemical test if an officer has reasonable grounds to believe you are under the influence. Refusing the test can result in a separate administrative license suspension, and a commercial driver faces a lower BAC threshold of 0.04%.
Beyond the criminal case, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) tracks points on your driving record. Many DUI and traffic convictions add points that can lead to license suspension or revocation. In Maryland, accumulating 8 points triggers an administrative hearing; 12 points results in the loss of your driving privilege. A conviction for driving under the influence itself imposes 12 points, while a DWI may add 8 points. However, Maryland courts can grant Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) for certain first-offense DUI or DWI cases. When a judge enters a PBJ, the conviction is withheld, and the driver avoids the associated MVA points—an outcome that can protect your license and insurance rates. The possibility of a PBJ makes experienced representation particularly important from the very start of your case.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle DUI Cases
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel approach every DUI case by first examining the traffic stop, the officer’s observations, and the chemical or breath-test evidence. A DUI charge is not the same as a conviction, and several legal and factual defenses may be available. The team challenges the reliability of field sobriety tests, reviews whether the breath-test device was properly calibrated and maintained, and evaluates whether the officer followed required procedures. In cases involving drug-related impairment, the lawyers scrutinize Drug Recognition experienced attorney protocols and laboratory results. When weaknesses exist, the team works to negotiate a reduced charge, a PBJ disposition, or, when appropriate, takes the case to trial.
Because DUI proceedings often involve both the criminal court and an administrative hearing before the MVA, the team handles both fronts. The MVA can suspend your license for an alcohol-related offense independently of the court’s decision, and you have a limited time to request a hearing. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel advise clients on the interplay between the criminal case and the administrative process so that no deadline is missed. They aim to guide you through each stage while working toward the most favorable resolution available under Maryland law. Every case is unique, and the outcome depends on the specific facts and the applicable law.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor with trial experience. He founded the firm in 1997 and is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris’s prosecutorial background gives him insight into how the state builds its DUI cases, which he applies at every stage of a client’s defense. His legislative involvement includes testifying before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
Working alongside Mr. Sris, his Of Counsel attorneys bring additional strengths to DUI defense. The team includes practitioners with former prosecutorial and law enforcement backgrounds. Their collective perspective helps them challenge field sobriety testing, blood alcohol evidence, and procedural errors. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience. Results may vary. Together, they have documented 4,739+ case results across all practice areas since 1997. They appear in District and Circuit Courts throughout Maryland, including in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Frederick County, and every other county in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points until I lose my license in Maryland?
Maryland suspends your license when you accumulate 8 points and revokes it at 12 points. A DUI conviction adds 12 points to your record, which triggers revocation, while a DWI adds 8 points and triggers a suspension hearing. The Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) tracks all points. However, for some first-time DUI and DWI cases, the court can grant Probation Before Judgment (PBJ), which avoids the point assessment entirely and can help you keep your license. If you are facing a DUI charge, it is important to explore whether PBJ or a reduced charge is available.
What is the difference between DUI and DWI in Maryland?
In Maryland, DUI and DWI are separate offenses based on blood alcohol concentration and the degree of impairment. A DUI requires a BAC of 0.08% or more; it carries 12 points and a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail for a first offense. A DWI applies when the BAC is at least 0.07% but less than 0.08%, or when alcohol has impaired the driver’s normal coordination to any extent; it carries 8 points and a maximum of 60 days in jail. The specific charge affects the penalties and the strategies your lawyer can use.
What should I do if I’m pulled over for suspected DUI in Maryland?
If you are stopped on suspicion of DUI, remain calm and polite, provide your license, registration, and insurance, and decline to answer questions about alcohol consumption. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to perform field sobriety tests; they are voluntary under Maryland law. If the officer directs you to submit to a breath or blood test, refusal can lead to a separate license suspension under the implied consent law. After the stop, contact a DUI lawyer as soon as possible to protect your driving privileges and review the evidence.
Can I refuse a breath test in Maryland?
Yes, you can refuse a breath test, but refusal triggers an automatic administrative license suspension separate from any criminal charge. Under Maryland’s implied consent law, by driving you have already agreed to submit to a chemical test if an officer has reasonable grounds. A first refusal results in a 270-day suspension, and subsequent refusals carry longer penalties. The suspension is imposed by the MVA, and you have the right to request an administrative hearing to challenge it. An attorney can represent you at the MVA hearing and argue that the officer lacked reasonable grounds or that proper procedures were not followed.
What are the penalties for a first‑offense DUI in Maryland?
A first-offense DUI is a criminal misdemeanor that can result in up to one year in jail, fines up to $1,000, 12 points on your driving record, and a license revocation. The judge may also require enrollment in the Maryland Ignition Interlock Program and an alcohol education or treatment program. However, many first-time offenders are eligible for a Probation Before Judgment (PBJ), which avoids a conviction and the points. Sentencing depends on the circumstances of the stop, any prior record, and the quality of the legal representation. A lawyer can evaluate your case and discuss what penalties are likely.
How can a lawyer help with a DUI case?
An experienced DUI lawyer examines the stop, the field sobriety tests, and the breath or blood test to identify legal and factual defenses that can reduce or dismiss the charge. Your lawyer can challenge the legality of the traffic stop, the reliability of the breath test machine, the officer’s observations, and whether proper procedures were followed. They can negotiate with the prosecutor for a reduced charge, a PBJ, or a dismissal for a first offense. An attorney also represents you at the MVA hearing to fight the administrative suspension and protect your driving privileges while the criminal case is pending.
Maryland DUI defense resources: Montgomery County DUI lawyer | Prince George’s County DUI lawyer | Howard County DUI lawyer | Anne Arundel County DUI lawyer | Frederick County DUI lawyer
Primary sources: Maryland DUI statute · Maryland MVA Point System
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.