Chevy Chase DUI Defense Attorneys

Trusted DUI Defense Lawyers for Clients in Chevy Chase, MD

Getting charged with a drunk driving offense can come as a shock, especially if you have maintained a clean criminal record up until the present. A conviction of this offense can follow you for longer than you might think, affecting everything from your driving privileges to your future career opportunities. When your freedoms are at risk, consider working with a Chevy Chase DUI defense lawyer.

At Salvado Law Offices, we have the legal knowledge required to effectively represent clients accused of drunk driving offenses in Chevy Chase. Our attorneys have successfully defended people accused of DUI in the past, with many clients praising our thorough approach and close communication.

Understanding the Definition of DUI in Maryland

In Maryland, a DUI charge can come in more than one form. The most familiar is DUI "per se," which focuses on the specific blood alcohol concentration threshold of 0.08 percent or higher. When the state alleges DUI per se, it is essentially arguing that the test result itself meets the legal definition.

A person can also be charged with DUI based on impairment, even if there is no test result at all, or even if the reported BAC is below 0.08. In those cases, prosecutors rely on officer observations, field sobriety tests, driving behavior, and other circumstances to argue that alcohol affected a driver's abilities. Maryland also recognizes "DWI" (driving while impaired) as a separate, less serious alcohol-related offense, and the law also covers impairment by drugs, or a combination of drugs and alcohol.

What Are the Consequences of a DUI Conviction?

A DUI conviction is a misdemeanor in Maryland, but the penalties can be life-disrupting. For a first-offense DUI, a person faces up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,200. For a second DUI offense, the maximum increases to up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $2,400, and Maryland notes a mandatory minimum of five days in jail for a second offense. For a first-offense DWI, the maximum penalty is up to two months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

In addition to criminal penalties, a conviction can bring driver's license consequences. Maryland indicates that a DUI can add 12 points and may lead to license revocation (including up to six months for a first offense), while a DWI can add eight points and may lead to a suspension (often six months).

Aggravating circumstances can increase the risk in any case. Allegations involving a crash, injuries, a minor in the vehicle, prior convictions, or a refusal-related narrative can change how aggressively the state pursues jail time and how a judge evaluates punishment.

Questioning the Accuracy of BAC Testing in DUI/DWI Cases

BAC evidence can look definitive on paper, but testing is not immune to error or misinterpretation. Breath testing can be affected by machine calibration and maintenance, operator procedure, and the required observation period before the test. Certain medical issues, residual mouth alcohol, and timing also matter. A driver's BAC can rise after the stop, which means the number recorded later may not reflect the BAC at the moment of driving.

Blood testing has room for error as well, particularly in how the sample was collected, labeled, stored, transported, and analyzed. Chain-of-custody gaps, contamination concerns, or documentation problems can undermine reliability. Our attorneys can scrutinize the test records, the police reports, and the video evidence to see whether the state can actually prove impairment or a valid per se result beyond a reasonable doubt.

At Salvado Law Offices, we provide strong defense against DUI charges, working to safeguard your driving privileges and protect your future.