Maryland DWI Defense Lawyers

Experienced Drunk Driving Defense Attorneys for Clients Accused of DWI in Maryland

If you have been pulled over and charged with driving while impaired (DWI) in Maryland, you might be understandably stressed. While a charge of DWI is less serious than a charge of driving under the influence (DUI), a conviction can still lead to penalties that could affect your life, your driver's license, and your freedom. A Maryland criminal defense lawyer can provide the representation you need in this situation, advocating for your rights and working to safeguard your future.

At Craig M. Kadish & Associates, LLC, each of our attorneys has multiple decades of experience defending clients against misdemeanor and felony charges. When you work with our firm, we will explore all of your possible defenses against a DWI charge, developing a sound strategy to avoid a conviction or mitigate the potential penalties.

What Is Driving While Impaired?

In Maryland, you can be charged with DUI per se if you are found to be driving with a blood alcohol concentration of at least .08 percent. If your blood alcohol concentration is below .08 percent, you can still be charged with the lesser crime of DWI if you show clear signs of impairment behind the wheel.

The penalties for a DWI conviction are generally less serious than those that would apply for a DUI conviction. For a first offense of DWI, you could be sentenced to up to two months in jail and/or a fine of $500. For a second offense, you could be punished with a one-year prison sentence. At Craig M. Kadish & Associates, LLC, we can defend you in court against a DWI charge regardless of whether you have a prior offense on your record. In some cases, we may be able to have DUI charges reduced to DWI and secure a less-serious outcome for you.

How Do Police Get Evidence for DWI Cases?

Before you are pulled over, a police officer needs reasonable suspicion to perform a traffic stop. In other words, a police officer can legally pull you over if they have reason to suspect that you committed DWI or another offense. You cannot be pulled over because an officer had a "gut feeling" that you were impaired. In many cases, police perform traffic stops based on minor traffic violations, such as a broken taillight, and during the stop, they will look for evidence of impairment that could lead them to arrest you.

After a police officer pulls you over, they may ask you to perform certain field sobriety tests to gauge your impairment. It is important to remember that field sobriety tests are entirely voluntary, and you are not required by law to perform these tests during a traffic stop. Whether you agree to take the test or not, the officer may decide to arrest you. At all times, you should exercise your right to remain silent by refusing to answer questions such as "How much have you been drinking?" You can also exercise your right to be represented by an attorney and contact our firm as soon as possible for legal help.

Under state law, you are required to submit to chemical testing after you have been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. This is known as "implied consent." Refusing to take a breathalyzer test or a blood test will result in the immediate suspension of your driver's license. At Craig M. Kadish & Associates, LLC, we can meet with you to discuss your options for your defense after an arrest. We can help you determine how to avoid a conviction, minimize the penalties that you may face, and get your license back as soon as possible.

Meet With a Maryland DWI Defense Attorney

Have you been arrested for driving while impaired? At Craig M. Kadish & Associates, LLC, our DWI defense lawyers can provide you with the representation you need in these situations. Call our offices at 410-837-0020 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.