DUI and DWI Attorney in Somerset, MD

What Sets The Hollimon Firm DUI and DWI Defense Apart?

I treat a DUI or DWI charge as a science case, not just a traffic matter. Breath tests, blood draws, and field sobriety results all rest on procedures that fail when officers cut corners. I find the weaknesses in that evidence to change the outcome of your case.

• Technical Evidence Review: I examine the calibration records and maintenance logs for the breathalyzer used in your arrest to challenge an unreliable reading.
• Stop and Arrest Scrutiny: I review the dash camera footage and the reasonable suspicion behind your traffic stop to expose any constitutional violation.
• Direct Principal Representation: You work with me from your first consultation through the final resolution, never an associate who treats your case as a file number.
• Local Court Knowledge: I appear regularly in the courts of Somerset and understand the procedural rules that shape how drunk driving cases move through the local system.

How Somerset Charges Drunk Driving Offenses?

The District of Columbia prosecutes impaired driving under three separate charges with different proof standards and penalties. Driving Under the Influence, Driving While Intoxicated, and Operating While Impaired each carry their own statute and their own defense path. The charge you face depends on your blood alcohol concentration, the officer's observations, and any chemical test result. I review which statute the prosecution applied to your arrest and whether the evidence actually supports that charge.

DUI Charges Under Maryland Law

Driving Under the Influence under Md. Transportation Code § 21-902 applies when a person drives or attempts to drive while under the influence of alcohol. Maryland law also addresses driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of drugs and alcohol. A first DUI offense involving alcohol carries up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. As a defense attorney for DUI cases and traffic violations, I challenge the officer's impairment observations and the chemical evidence used against you. The state must prove substantial impairment to win.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

Driving While Impaired by Alcohol under Md. Transportation Code § 21-902(b) applies when alcohol affects a person's ability to drive safely. A first DWI conviction carries up to 6 months in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. Prosecutors may bring a DWI charge when they allege that alcohol impaired the driver's ability to operate the vehicle safely. I examine the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, officer observations, and chemical evidence to identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case.

Operating While Impaired (OWI)

Driving While Impaired by Alcohol under Md. Transportation Code § 21-902(b) applies when alcohol impairs a person's normal coordination or ability to drive safely. A first DWI conviction carries up to 6 months in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. Prosecutors may pursue a DWI charge when they allege that alcohol impaired the driver's ability to operate the vehicle safely. I examine the officer's observations, field sobriety testing, and chemical evidence to identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case.

DWI Cases Involving an Accident

A DWI charge tied to a collision raises the stakes because prosecutors add property damage or injury to the case. As a DWI accident attorney, I separate the drunk driving allegation from the question of who actually caused the crash. Accident reconstruction, witness accounts, and road conditions often tell a different story than the police report. I build a defense that addresses both the impairment claim and the liability claim at once.

Careless and Reckless Driving Charges

Careless and reckless driving frequently accompany a DUI arrest as added counts that increase your exposure. As a careless driving attorney, I challenge whether the officer had a factual basis to layer these charges on top of the primary offense. Reckless driving in Somerset can carry separate fines and points against your license. I work to strip out the charges the evidence does not support.

High BAC Mandatory Minimum Sentences

A high blood alcohol concentration triggers mandatory jail time that a judge cannot waive. A BAC of 0.20 adds 10 days, a BAC of 0.25 adds 15 days, and a BAC of 0.30 adds 20 days to a first offense sentence. These enhancements rest entirely on the accuracy of the breath or blood reading. I scrutinize the testing device and the lab procedures to challenge an inflated number.

Test Refusal and License Consequences

Refusing a breath or blood test in Somerset can trigger an administrative license suspension under Maryland's implied consent law, Md. Transportation Code § 16-205.1. The license consequence is separate from any criminal penalties that may result from a DUI or DWI charge. You have the right to challenge the administrative action through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration's hearing process. I act quickly to protect your driving privileges while your criminal case moves forward.

DUI Lawyers Near Me in Somerset

Need a reliable DUI attorney near me? Our local legal team is ready to step in and help you right away in Somerset. Do not face these serious driving charges alone. Contact us today for a private consultation to protect your driver's license and freedom.