A DUI or DWI charge in Maryland is not a routine traffic matter. It triggers two separate proceedings — a criminal case and an MVA administrative hearing — and the clock starts the moment you’re charged. At Atkinson Law, we move fast because Maryland law requires it.

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There’s No Such Thing as a Routine DUI. Here’s What’s Actually at Stake.

People call DUI and DWI charges “routine” because they’re common. But common doesn’t mean simple — and it certainly doesn’t mean the consequences are minor. A DUI conviction in Maryland can mean jail time, a suspended license, thousands of dollars in fines and fees, mandatory ignition interlock, skyrocketing insurance rates, and a permanent criminal record that shows up in background checks for jobs, housing, and professional licensing for years to come.

What makes DUI cases uniquely time-sensitive is that a DUI arrest in Maryland immediately triggers two separate proceedings running on parallel tracks. The criminal case in court is one track. The MVA administrative case — which determines whether your license is suspended — is another. You have just 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to contest your license suspension. Miss that window and your license is suspended automatically, regardless of what happens in court.

At Atkinson Law, we have handled hundreds of DUI and DWI cases across Baltimore County, Harford County, and the surrounding Maryland communities. We know where deadlines fall, where the legal vulnerabilities in these cases tend to live, and how to build a defense that addresses both the criminal and administrative sides of your case simultaneously. Two attorneys review every matter we handle — because DUI defense rewards thoroughness, and a single missed detail can change the outcome.

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Our Approach to DUI & DWI Defense

Every DUI case we handle is built around three priorities — the same framework that guides everything we do at Atkinson Law:

DUI and DWI Are Not the Same Charge. Which One You’re Facing Changes Everything.

Maryland makes a legal distinction between DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and DWI (Driving While Impaired) — and the difference between them has real consequences for how your case is charged, how it’s prosecuted, and what penalties you may face.

DWI — Driving While Impaired: The Lesser Charge

A DWI charge applies when a driver shows signs of impairment but has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between 0.07 and 0.079 — below the legal limit for DUI but still sufficient for a charge. DWI is a misdemeanor and carries lighter penalties than DUI: up to 60 days in jail and up to $500 in fines for a first offense, along with 8 points on your license.

Make no mistake — “lighter” is relative. A DWI conviction still goes on your record, still affects your insurance, and still requires a skilled defense to minimize its impact.

DUI — Driving Under the Influence: The More Serious Charge

A DUI applies when a driver’s BAC registers at 0.08 or above — the legal limit in Maryland — or when the state can otherwise demonstrate that the driver was substantially impaired. DUI is also a misdemeanor on a first offense but carries significantly steeper consequences: up to one year in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, and 12 points on your license — which triggers an automatic license suspension.

Aggravated Factors That Increase Your Exposure

Several factors can escalate penalties significantly beyond the standard first-offense range:

•        A BAC of 0.15 or higher — considered an aggravated DUI in Maryland

•        A minor passenger in the vehicle at the time of arrest

•        A prior DUI or DWI conviction within the past five years

•        Involvement in an accident that caused property damage, injury, or death

•        Refusing a breath or blood test — which carries its own MVA penalties independent of the criminal case

Repeat offenses are treated especially seriously in Maryland. A second DUI within five years can result in up to two years in prison and a $2,000 fine. A third offense is a felony. This is not territory where you want to navigate without experienced counsel.

You Have 10 Days. This Is Not a Suggestion.

When you are arrested for DUI or DWI in Maryland, the arresting officer will typically confiscate your driver’s license and issue a paper temporary license. That paper document is valid for 45 days — but only if you request an MVA hearing within 10 days of your arrest.

If you do not request that hearing within 10 days, your license is automatically suspended when the 45-day period expires. No hearing. No second chance. Automatic.

The MVA administrative hearing is entirely separate from your criminal case. It does not matter how your criminal case resolves — if you miss the MVA window, your license is suspended regardless. Many people don’t realize this until it’s too late, because no one from the state is going to remind you.

We handle this for our clients immediately. When you call us, one of the first things we do is ensure your MVA hearing is requested before that 10-day deadline closes. Then we prepare for it — because a well-argued MVA hearing can sometimes result in a restricted license that lets you continue driving to work, school, and medical appointments even while your case is pending.

Where DUI Cases Are Won — and How We Look for Every Advantage

DUI cases are not won on emotion. They’re won on evidence, procedure, and the ability to identify where the state’s case has weaknesses. Here is where we look:

The Traffic Stop — Did Law Enforcement Have Legal Justification?

A police officer cannot pull you over without reasonable suspicion that a traffic violation or crime has occurred. If the stop was pretextual or lacked proper justification, any evidence gathered as a result — including your BAC results — may be suppressible. We examine every stop for constitutional validity.

Field Sobriety Tests — Standardized Doesn’t Mean Foolproof

The standardized field sobriety tests — the walk-and-turn, the one-leg stand, the horizontal gaze nystagmus test — are only reliable when administered correctly and under appropriate conditions. Medical conditions, footwear, uneven pavement, lighting, and officer technique can all affect results. We examine how your tests were conducted and whether the results are as conclusive as the prosecution will claim.

Breath Testing — The Machine Has to Work Correctly

Breathalyzer results are only as reliable as the equipment and the procedures used. We examine whether the device was properly calibrated and maintained, whether the officer was properly certified to administer the test, whether the required observation period before testing was followed, and whether any medical conditions — including GERD or diabetes — could have affected the reading.

Blood Testing — Chain of Custody and Lab Procedures Matter

When a blood draw is used to establish BAC, we examine the chain of custody of the sample, the qualifications of the person who drew it, the protocols followed by the laboratory, and whether the sample was properly stored and tested. Errors at any point in this chain can compromise the reliability of the result.

Witness Accounts and Dashcam or Body Camera Footage

Officer testimony is often the cornerstone of a DUI prosecution — but it is not the only account of what happened. We request all available dashcam and body camera footage, examine officer reports for inconsistencies, and identify any witnesses whose observations may support your defense.

Plea Negotiations and Diversion Options

Not every DUI case goes to trial — and not every case should. Maryland’s Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) disposition allows a first-time offender to avoid a formal conviction on their record if they complete probation successfully. We evaluate PBJ and other negotiated resolutions carefully for every client and recommend them when they genuinely serve your long-term interests.

The Process Feels Overwhelming. Here’s What It Actually Looks Like.

Most of our DUI clients have never been through the criminal justice system before. Here’s a clear-eyed overview of what the process typically involves:

•        Arrest and Booking. You are processed, photographed, and either held or released pending your initial appearance. Your temporary paper license clock starts here.

•        Initial Appearance / Arraignment. You appear before a court commissioner or judge, charges are formally read, and bail is set if applicable. We can appear with you at this stage.

•        MVA Hearing (requested within 10 days of arrest). A separate administrative proceeding before the MVA to contest your license suspension. We handle this from day one.

•        Pretrial Motions and Discovery. We request all evidence from the prosecution — police reports, lab results, video footage, officer certifications — and file motions to suppress any evidence that was improperly obtained.

•        Plea Negotiations or Trial. Depending on the evidence and your goals, we either negotiate with the prosecution for the best available resolution or take your case to trial prepared to fight every element of the state’s case.

•        Sentencing or Disposition. If convicted or if a plea is entered, we advocate for the lightest possible sentence, including PBJ, probation, community service, and treatment programs where applicable.

Hundreds of DUI Cases. Two Attorneys on Yours. Zero Routine.

We’ve Handled Hundreds of DUI and DWI Cases in Maryland

Experience in DUI defense is not interchangeable with general criminal defense experience. Maryland’s DUI laws, the MVA administrative process, the specific courts and judges in Baltimore County and Harford County, and the science behind chemical testing are all specialized knowledge. We have spent years developing it, and we put it to work for every client we represent.

Two Attorneys Means Two People Looking for What the Prosecution Might Miss

DUI prosecutions often look airtight on the surface — a BAC above the limit, an officer’s testimony, a field sobriety test result. But the surface is not where cases are won. Two attorneys reviewing your matter means two people examining the stop, the test, the procedure, and the evidence for the detail that changes the outcome.

We Handle Both the Criminal Case and the MVA Hearing

Many attorneys handle one or the other. We handle both — coordinating your criminal defense and your MVA hearing as a single integrated strategy, because the two proceedings affect each other in ways that matter to your case and your ability to keep driving.

We Tell You the Truth About Your Options

We will never promise you an outcome we can’t deliver. We tell you where your case is strong, where it’s vulnerable, and what your realistic range of outcomes looks like — so you can make informed decisions with clear expectations. That honesty is a core value at Atkinson Law, and it guides every client relationship we have.

Free Initial Consultations for DUI Clients

We offer free initial consultations for all DUI and DWI clients. Call us as soon as possible after your arrest. The sooner we’re involved, the more we can do.

This Could Happen to Anyone. Here’s Who It Most Often Does.

First-Time Offenders Who’ve Never Been in Trouble Before

Most of our DUI clients have no prior criminal record. A single lapse in judgment — one drink too many at a work event, a decision that seemed safe in the moment — doesn’t have to define your record. Maryland’s Probation Before Judgment disposition exists specifically for situations like yours, and we pursue it aggressively for first-time offenders who qualify.

Professionals Whose Licenses and Careers Are at Risk

Nurses, teachers, commercial drivers, pilots, lawyers, contractors, financial professionals — a DUI conviction doesn’t just create a criminal record. It can trigger licensing board proceedings, employment termination clauses, and professional consequences that outlast the criminal case by years. We understand what’s at stake beyond the courtroom and factor it into every decision we make.

Commercial Driver’s License Holders

Maryland’s BAC threshold for CDL holders is 0.04 — half the standard limit. A DUI conviction for a commercial driver can mean permanent disqualification from operating a commercial vehicle, which for many clients means the end of their livelihood. We fight these cases with the urgency that level of consequence demands.

Veterans Facing DUI Charges

We represent veterans whose DUI charges are connected to service-related trauma or PTSD. Maryland’s courts have veterans’ treatment programs and diversion options that a general practitioner may not know to pursue. We do — and we advocate for them.

Learn about our Maryland Veterans DUI Defense services

Don’t Wait. Maryland’s 10-Day Deadline Doesn’t.

If you’ve been charged with DUI or DWI in Maryland, every day you wait is a day closer to losing your chance to contest your license suspension. Call Atkinson Law today — we’ll review your case, request your MVA hearing, and start building your defense immediately.

Two attorneys. One coordinated plan. Hundreds of DUI cases behind us. Yours in front of us.

Protect. Preserve. Rebuild.

Serving clients throughout Baltimore County, Harford County, Towson, Bel Air, White Marsh, Parkville, and the surrounding Maryland communities.

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