DUI Lawyer Maryland
Frederick J. Brynn has defended DUI cases in Maryland since 1992. Our Maryland DUI lawyer fights to get charges reduced or dismissed, challenges flawed evidence, and protects your ability to drive and work. We offer free consultations because we believe you deserve to know where you stand before committing to anything.
Why Choose Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. for DUI Defense in Maryland?
Decades Defending DUI Cases in Maryland Courts
Frederick J. Brynn earned his law degree from Vermont Law School and has been licensed to practice in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. for over 30 years. His practice focuses on criminal defense and DUI cases specifically, which means he has seen how these cases are prosecuted, how officers make mistakes during stops, and where the weaknesses in the state’s evidence tend to appear.
Frederick Brynn has helped clients get their charges reduced and dismissed throughout his career. He received a Martindale-Hubbell Notable Award, Peer Rated for Strong Ethical Standards in 2025, alongside a Martindale-Hubbell Client Reviewed Award based on feedback from the people he has actually represented.
Two Attorneys With Complementary Strengths
Stephen F. Brennwald has practiced law since 1985 and also handles DUI defense at our firm. He graduated from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and brings 40 years of criminal defense trial experience. He is a member of the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers’ Association, the Superior Court Trial Lawyers’ Association, and the Maryland Association for Justice. His trial background includes dozens of murder cases and federal criminal matters, and that depth of courtroom preparation carries over into every DUI case he handles.
Accessible When It Matters Most
We offer free consultations and our phones are answered 24 hours a day. A DUI arrest typically happens at night or on a weekend, and waiting until Monday morning to speak with someone is not always realistic. The clock on your MVA hearing starts ticking the moment you’re released, and we are accessible when you need us.
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“Mr. Bryman always taken very good care of me very time I was in an accident he has always made me feel that he understands my pain and hurt. Mr. Bryman staff has always made me feel like I was the only client but I know he has more me as clients I will always recommend him to others and I have done that over the years I have been with Mr. Bryman over 27 years and can stand behind him a hundred percent for the work and support and service that he does for me.” — Mary Gates
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Types of DUI Cases We Handle in Maryland
Maryland law draws a sharp line between DUI and DWI, and the penalties for each differ significantly. We defend clients across the full spectrum of impaired driving charges, and each type of case calls for a different defense approach.
- DUI (Driving Under the Influence). This is the more serious charge in Maryland, triggered by a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher or by evidence that alcohol substantially impaired your ability to drive safely. We challenge the traffic stop itself, the officer’s observations, and the testing procedures used to measure your BAC.
- DWI (Driving While Impaired). A DWI charge applies when the state alleges a lower level of alcohol impairment than what’s required for a DUI. It carries lighter penalties but still produces a criminal record and affects your driving privileges, insurance rates, and employment prospects.
- Drug-related DUI. Maryland law prohibits driving while impaired by drugs, whether illegal controlled substances or lawfully prescribed medication. These cases often rely on officer observations and drug recognition evaluations rather than a breathalyzer, which creates different avenues for defense.
- Drug offenses. When officers discover controlled substances during a DUI traffic stop, you could face both impaired driving charges and separate drug possession or distribution charges simultaneously. The stakes multiply quickly in these situations.
- Repeat DUI offenses. Second and third DUI convictions carry escalating penalties including longer jail sentences, higher fines, and extended license revocation periods. Maryland also has a habitual offender provision that applies to drivers with three or more convictions within a five-year period. The consequences compound with each subsequent offense.
- DUI with a minor in the vehicle. Maryland imposes enhanced penalties when a driver is charged with DUI or DWI while transporting a child under 18. These charges carry additional jail time and fines beyond the standard penalties, and prosecutors treat them with extra seriousness.
- Refusal cases. Refusing a breathalyzer test triggers an automatic license suspension under Maryland’s implied consent law. We challenge these administrative actions and work to preserve your driving privileges through the MVA hearing process.
- MVA hearings. A DUI arrest triggers both a criminal case and a separate administrative hearing before the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. We represent clients in both proceedings, because losing at the MVA hearing can cost you your license even if you’re never convicted in criminal court.
Maryland DUI Legal Requirements
Maryland’s DUI laws fall under Transportation Article § 21-902 of the Maryland Code. The statute creates several distinct offenses, each with different elements and penalties. Understanding how these charges work is critical to mounting an effective defense.
DUI vs. DWI. A DUI charge under subsection (a) applies when a driver operates a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or has a BAC of 0.08 or higher. A DWI charge under subsection (b) applies at lower levels of impairment. This is not just a technical distinction. It affects the penalties you face, the administrative consequences for your license, and the defense strategies available to your attorney.
For a first DUI offense, Maryland law allows up to one year in jail and a fine up to $1,200. A second DUI conviction can result in up to two years of imprisonment and a $2,400 fine. A first DWI carries up to two months in jail and a $500 fine, while a second DWI may result in up to one year and $500.
Implied consent. Under the Maryland Transportation Code, when you operate a vehicle on Maryland roads, you consent to chemical testing if an officer has reasonable grounds to believe you are impaired. Refusing a test triggers a separate administrative penalty through the MVA, including a license suspension that begins 46 days after your arrest. This happens regardless of whether you are ultimately convicted of DUI in criminal court, which is why the MVA hearing is so important.
Enhanced penalties with a minor. If you are charged under § 21-902 while transporting someone under 18, the penalties increase significantly. A first offense involving a minor in the vehicle carries up to one year in jail and a $1,200 fine for both DUI and DWI-level charges. Prosecutors rarely agree to reduce these charges.
Drug impairment. Subsection (c) covers impairment by drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol. It is not a defense that you were legally entitled to use the drug, unless you were genuinely unaware it would affect your driving.
Maryland DUI attorney representation is essential because these laws interact with each other in ways that create unexpected consequences. A single arrest can trigger multiple criminal charges, an administrative MVA proceeding, and lasting impacts on your insurance, employment, and professional licenses.
What Penalties and Consequences Follow a Maryland DUI?
The penalties for a DUI conviction in Maryland extend well beyond fines and jail time. The full picture includes administrative, criminal, and practical consequences that affect your daily life for years.
Criminal penalties escalate with each offense. First-time DUI offenders face up to 12 months in jail and $1,200 in fines. Repeat offenders face longer sentences, higher fines, and mandatory minimums. Under the habitual offender provisions, three or more impaired driving convictions within five years carry up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
License consequences are often the most immediately disruptive part of a DUI case. The MVA can suspend or revoke your driving privileges following a DUI arrest, even before a criminal conviction. An administrative per se suspension can take effect 46 days after arrest if your BAC was 0.08 or higher, or if you refused testing. Keeping your license frequently requires requesting an MVA hearing within 30 days.
Ignition interlock. Maryland may require installation of an ignition interlock device as a condition of restricted driving privileges. The device requires a breath sample before the vehicle starts, and failed tests are reported to the MVA.
Insurance impact. A DUI conviction causes auto insurance premiums to increase dramatically. Many carriers cancel policies entirely, and the financial effects last three to five years or longer.
Employment and professional licensing. Healthcare workers, teachers, commercial drivers, and attorneys all face additional scrutiny from licensing boards after a DUI conviction. Some employers conduct regular background checks, and a new conviction can trigger termination.
Permanent record. Maryland does not allow expungement of DUI convictions in most circumstances. This makes fighting the charge at the outset far more important than many people realize. People sometimes accept plea deals without understanding there is no way to undo the record later. A Maryland DUI defense lawyer who explains these consequences upfront helps clients make informed decisions.
Contact Frederick J. Brynn, P.C.
A DUI charge in Maryland is serious, but it is not a conviction. There are defenses available, and the earlier you speak with a DUI lawyer in MD, the stronger your position becomes.
We offer free consultations for every DUI case. Our office provides 24/7 phone answering because DUI arrests happen at all hours and the timeline for your MVA hearing is short. There is no cost and no obligation to meet with us.
Contact us to discuss your DUI charge. We will review the details of your arrest, identify potential defenses, and give you an honest assessment of where your case stands.