Bethesda DUI Defense Lawyers

Aggressive Defense Attorneys in Bethesda, MD

An accusation of driving under the influence (DUI) can have a major impact on your future. If convicted, you could face jail time, fines, and other lasting consequences that may follow you long after the original incident. If you stand accused of this crime, do not wait to seek legal representation. A Bethesda, Maryland DUI defense attorney can explore your options to fight the charge and minimize the long-term consequences.

At Arrested for a DUI, LLC, we know how serious a DUI can be. Whether or not this is your first offense, you need a strong legal strategy to contest allegations of a DUI charge in court. Our attorneys have decades of legal experience, and we will consider all possible strategies in your defense.

How Serious Is a First DUI?

A first DUI in Maryland is a misdemeanor, but it can still affect your job prospects, your driving privileges, and your finances quickly. A driver can be charged with DUI "per se" if a chemical test shows a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher. Maryland also recognizes the lesser charge of DWI, which may apply at lower BAC levels.

If you are convicted of a first-offense DUI, you face up to one year in jail, up to a $1,200 fine, and license consequences and points that can lead to revocation. A first-offense DWI carries up to two months in jail and up to a $500 fine, along with a license suspension and points.

Separate from the criminal case, an arrest can trigger an administrative license suspension through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). In many situations, an officer issues a 45-day temporary paper license, and strict deadlines apply if you want a hearing to challenge the suspension. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be eligible to seek an ignition interlock device through the MVA.

Marijuana DUI in Maryland

Recreational marijuana may be legal in Maryland, but driving while impaired by cannabis or any other drug is still illegal, even when the drug itself is lawfully possessed. Prosecutors typically rely on officer observations, driving behavior, and field sobriety testing, and they may seek blood testing in some cases.

Marijuana DUI cases can be uniquely technical because THC does not behave like alcohol in the body. Maryland has a per se number for alcohol, but impairment from cannabis is not proven by a simple roadside threshold. Timing, dosing, tolerance, and what a test actually measures can become central disputes, especially for drivers who test positive long after any intoxicating effect has faded.

DUI Defense Strategies in Bethesda

A strong defense often begins with the legality of the stop. If an officer lacked reasonable suspicion to pull you over, or if the investigation was improperly expanded, our firm may be able to challenge key evidence. The next questions are practical. What did the officer observe, what does the video actually show, and were field sobriety tests administered in a way that makes them reliable?

In alcohol cases, defenses often focus on breath testing procedures, equipment maintenance, operator error, and whether medical issues or environmental factors affected the result. In marijuana DUI cases, the defense may focus on the subjectivity of "impairment cues," alternative explanations for behavior, and the limits of blood testing to prove impairment at the time of driving.

Defense work should also account for both tracks of the case: the criminal court process and the MVA administrative process, which can move on a much faster timetable and has its own hearing rules and deadlines.

Contact a Bethesda, MD Drunk Driving Defense Attorney

At Arrested for a DUI, LLC, we can review your DUI case and develop a plan of action to defend you in court. Call 301-479-5466 or contact our Bethesda, Maryland DUI defense lawyers today to set up a free consultation.