Upper Marlboro Office 5415 Water St. Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Phone: (301) 736-5432
We have offices in Rockville, Frederick, and Upper Marlboro.
The attorneys of Eugene L. Souder, Esq. proudly handle DUI and DWI cases in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. We approach every case with a thorough consideration of each client’s goals and resources, maximizing the use of our knowledgeable legal assistants and support staff to obtain cost effective legal results for clients. With our Law Office, the cost you will likely incur will always be balanced against the benefit you will receive. The representation strategy utilized by our Law Firm allows us to control legal costs, remain proficient and maximize your benefit. Contact us today at (301) 668- 5111 for more information.
Many Attorneys claim to be DUI or DWI defense lawyers, but they simply handle guilty pleas to drunk driving cases. The Law Firm of Eugene L. Souder, Esq. have defense attorneys exclusively dedicated to fighting Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. DUI and DWI cases.
There is a difference.
DUI - Driving Under The Influence
DWI - Driving While Intoxicated
Although most cases do not have to go all the way to trial, we take every case with the attitude that we will go to trial if necessary to avoid a wrongful DUI or DWI conviction. This means that prosecutors don't expect us to plead guilty - and we don't. If you have been accused of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, we can and will enter a "not guilty" plea on your behalf. Call today at (301) 668- 5111 for a no obligation consultation.
Remember, before you decide to just plead guilty and "get it over with," please give our Law Firm a call to at least discuss your rights and all your options. Points on your license, license suspension, higher insurance rates, jail time, expensive fees, community service, potential long term employment problems and humiliation are all apart of being found guilty of a DUI or DWI Offense. With our help, knowledge, and experience, we will work with you to give you your best chance at a positive outcome. Contact our office today at (301) 668- 5111 for the help you need and deserve.
Maryland DUI Law Highlights: BAC Levels and Implied Consent (Table 1)
State
"Per Se" BAC Level
"Zero Tolerance" BAC Level
Enhanced Penalty BAC Level
"Implied Consent" Law
Maryland
.08
.02
--
Yes
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.
Maryland DUI Law Highlights: Selected Penalties (Table 2)
Mandatory Alcohol Education and Treatment/Assessment
Vehicle Confiscation Possible?
Ignition Interlock Device Possible?
Maryland
60d/ 120d/ --
No
No
Yes
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.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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) 668-5111.
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) 668-5111.
