Rockville Maryland DUI Lawyer Christopher Hostage

If you have been charged with a DUI/DWI in Maryland or the District of Columbia, contact the Law Offices of Christopher A. Hostage. Mr. Hostage provides experienced representation on behalf of clients charged with a first-time DUI/DWI and clients charged as repeat offenders.

The founder of the firm, attorney Christopher A. Hostage, is an experienced criminal defense attorney who works diligently to seek the best possible results for each client he represents. To schedule a free consultation with attorney Christopher A. Hostage, contact the law office in Rockville, Maryland. Protect Your License and Your Record

If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you face serious charges. A drunk driving conviction can result in a significant driver's license suspension as well as the possibility of jail time and/or probation. Even a conviction for a first-time DUI charge can result in significant penalties and a loss of your driving privileges.

Before pleading guilty to a DUI/DWI charge, contact a criminal defense attorney who can advise you of your rights. The firm has considerable experience in DUI/DWI cases. If retained to handle your case, Mr. Hostage will raise a vigorous defense on your behalf. He will perform a thorough investigation and ask critical questions of the prosecution, including the following:

If the state does not have sufficient evidence to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, Mr. Hostage will not hesitate to take your case to trial. If the state has a strong case and you do not wish to take your case to trial, he has the ability to negotiate on your behalf and pursue a plea agreement that will minimize your exposure to criminal penalties and adverse consequences.

The firm was founded by Christopher A. Hostage, a Maryland lawyer practicing in the areas of criminal defense, family law, civil litigation, wills and estates, business transactions and personal injury. Mr. Hostage has been representing the legal needs of people and businesses throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia since 1993.

Mr. Hostage works closely with his clients to offer unsurpassed legal representation. Throughout his legal career, Mr. Hostage has handled a wide range of litigation in state and federal courts. He is known as a proactive problem solver who seeks economical solutions to complex legal challenges.

Mr. Hostage established his private practice in December of 1999. The firm's field of practice is very broad, from complex litigation to personal injury, wills, trusts, collections, DWI/DUI, and divorce. The firm handles both civil and criminal matters. Mr. Hostage has represented clients in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th federal circuits, as well as various state courts ranging from Florida to Alaska.

Mr Hostage has represented clients in civil and criminal trials before all courts and government agencies. Mr. Hostage has successfully litigated cases involving a wide variety of practice areas, including white collar criminal defense, civil commercial litigation and related administrative proceedings, and labor disputes.

Mr. Hostage is a 1980 graduate of the Wheeling College School of Criminal Justice. He attended graduate school at Rutgers University, and received his law degree from Georgetown University in 1984. He began his legal career with a solo practice in Washington, D.C. concentrating on criminal law, personal injury, family law, and employment law. In 1994, he helped start a small litigation firm, Reed & Hostage, P.C., in Georgetown. Hostage Legal Services, P.C. was incorporated in 1999.

Mr. Hostage is a life long resident of Montgomery County, Maryland. He is married and has four children.

Bar Admissions:
Maryland, 1993
District of Columbia, 1994
U.S. District Court District of Maryland
U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia
U.S. Supreme Court

Education:
Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, District of Columbia, 1984
Juris Doctorate

Professional Associations and Memberships:
American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
Member

DEFINITIONS:
"Per Se" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
As of August 2005, all states have DUI laws that deem "per se intoxicated" any driver with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above .08 percent. This means that drivers with a BAC at or above .08 are intoxicated in the eyes of the law, and no additional proof of driving impairment is necessary.

"Zero Tolerance" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
All states carry "zero tolerance" laws that target drivers under the legal drinking age. These laws penalize persons under 21 for operating a vehicle with any trace of alcohol in their systems (a BAC above 0.0), or with negligible BAC levels such as .01 or .02 percent.

"Enhanced Penalty" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
Many states impose harsher penalties on DUI offenders with a particularly high BAC at the time of the offense, typically .15 to .20 percent. DUI offenders with a BAC at or above their state's enhanced penalty standards will likely face additional jail time, harsher fines, and more severe driver's license sanctions.

"Implied Consent" Laws
"Implied consent" laws require vehicle drivers to submit to some form of chemical test, such as breath, blood, or urine testing, if suspected of DUI. If a driver refuses to submit to such testing, implied consent laws carry penalties such as mandatory suspension of a driver's license, usually for six months to a year.

Note: Persons arrested for DUI will be subject to additional criminal law penalties not addressed here -- including jail time, fines, and community service. Such criminal penalties are typically more discretionary than those identified in this chart, and are therefore more difficult to accurately predict. Generally speaking, first-time DUI offenders can expect to incur a fine, and face the possibility of jail time. Repeat DUI offenders will incur harsher fines, and will almost certainly be sentenced to a number of days in jail. Penalties will be harsher still if the DUI offender was involved in an accident in which someone else was injured or killed.

DEFINITIONS:
Administrative License Suspension/Revocation
The Administrative License Suspension/Revocation penalties indicated here refer to minimum mandatory penalties imposed on drivers whose BAC is above the state limit for intoxication, or drivers who refuse to submit to BAC testing. Administrative suspension or revocation of a driver's license is usually carried out by a state agency (such as a Department of Motor Vehicles), distinct from any criminal court penalties. Most states impose harsher penalties for second or third DUI offenses, typically defined as those that occur within five years of a prior DUI offense.

Note: the penalties identified here do not include variations for DUI offenders operating commercial vehicles, or drivers who have violated "zero tolerance" and "enhanced penalty" DUI laws (see Table 1). Most states recognize different sanctions for these types of DUI offenses.

Mandatory Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment
Alcohol education and treatment/assessment penalties for DUI offenders can include mandatory attendance at DUI prevention programs, and assessment of potential alcohol dependency problems. Such programs are often made "conditions" of a suspended sentence or probation, meaning that a DUI offender can avoid jail time and payment of hefty fines if he or she completes participation in the program. This chart indicates each state's utilization of alcohol education and treatment/assessment programs.

Vehicle Confiscation
Vehicle confiscation penalties allow a motor vehicle department or law enforcement agency to seize a DUI offender's vehicle, either permanently or for a set period of time. Such penalties typically apply only to repeat DUI offenders, and often the return of the vehicle requires payment of fines and significant administrative costs. This chart indicates each state's utilization of vehicle confiscation as a penalty for DUI.

Ignition Interlock
A vehicle ignition interlock breath-testing device measures a vehicle operator's BAC, and will prevent operation of the vehicle if more than a minimal amount of alcohol is detected (i.e. BAC level of .02). DUI offenders will usually be required to pay the costs of installation, rental, and maintenance of an ignition interlock device. This chart indicates each state's utilization of ignition interlock devices as a penalty for DUI.

TYPE OF CASES OUR FIRM HANDLES
I handle many types of cases to bench and jury trials including DUI, Criminal and Traffic.

WE THINK YOU SHOULD HIRE US IF:
You want a lawyer who will personally handle your file and will be available for consultation afternoons, evenings and weekends. I will fairly evaluate your case and determine the most favorable course. I will not hesitate to go to trial on your case; that decision, however, will ultimately be yours.

OUR FIRM IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOU IF:
You are looking for a lawyer who will only tell you what you want to hear. I will work with you to honestly assess the facts of the case.

IF YOU WANT TO TELL OUR LAW FIRM ABOUT YOUR SITUATION YOU SHOULD:
I personally communicate with you whenever possible. If I am in Court when you call, you can leave a message. I personally guarantee you will hear back from me in 24-hours, or less - most often, much less. My office phone is (301) 637-0352.

THE TYPICAL COST TO GET US TO START WORKING ON YOUR CASE IS:
The cost varies depending on the allegation and facts of the case. A fee will be quoted at our initial consultation.

OUR CLIENTS WILL TELL YOU THAT:
My level of experience, knowledge of the law, and personal familiarity with the judges, prosecutors, and system is a great advantage. In addition my personal and regular contact with clients, availability and involvement with every aspect of the case bring the most favorable results.

OUR PHILOSOPHY ON HOW WE APPROACH OUR CASES IS:
Depending on the type of case I like to find out as much as I can about the facts of the case and talk to anyone who can help our defense. At that time we can discuss our options. The stronger our defense appears to the prosecutor, the better our chances are of getting a favorable result.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FIRM YOU SHOULD:
During our free initial consultation I will answer any questions. Please call (301) 637-0352.

Christopher A. Hostage

Rockville Maryland DUI Lawyer Christopher A. Hostage

(301) 637-0352