Drunk Driving Lawyer Prince George’s County, MD
You were on the Capital Beltway, heading home through Prince George’s County after an evening out. The blue lights flashed behind you. A field sobriety test. A breath test. Now you are holding a citation and a court date, wondering what a drunk driving charge means for your license, your job, and your record. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents drivers throughout Prince George’s County who are facing DUI and DWI charges, from the District Court in Upper Marlboro to the Circuit Court. Reach our location at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
Strategy Options After a Drunk Driving Charge in Prince George’s County
A drunk driving charge in Maryland is not a foregone conclusion. The state must prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, and an experienced defense team examines each piece of the prosecution’s case for weaknesses. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. approaches every drunk driving matter by evaluating the traffic stop itself, the administration of field sobriety tests, and the accuracy of the breath or blood test results. If the officer lacked reasonable suspicion to initiate the stop, or if the standardized field sobriety tests were not conducted according to established protocols, the evidence against you may be vulnerable to challenge.
For many clients in Prince George’s County, the goal is not necessarily a full acquittal at trial — it is avoiding a conviction and the collateral consequences that follow. Maryland offers Probation Before Judgment, commonly called PBJ, which allows the court to defer entry of a conviction for qualifying defendants. A successful PBJ disposition means no points assessed against your license and, critically, no drunk driving conviction on your record. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel, including a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney, understand how prosecutors build DUI cases and how to present mitigating factors that support a PBJ request. Every case is different, and the strategy that fits your circumstances depends on the specific facts, your driving history, and the evidence the state intends to use.
What to Expect in Prince George’s County Court
Drunk driving cases in Prince George’s County begin in the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County, located at 14735 Main Street in Upper Marlboro. The initial appearance is typically a scheduling or trial date, and having counsel present from the earliest stage helps ensure that procedural deadlines are met and that you understand each step of the process. If the case involves a potential penalty of incarceration exceeding the District Court’s jurisdiction, or if either side requests a jury trial, the matter transfers to the Prince George’s County Circuit Court.
Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration also takes administrative action separate from the court proceeding. An arrest for driving under the influence can trigger an MVA suspension hearing, and the deadlines for requesting that hearing run from the date of the citation. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel help clients navigate both the court process and the administrative proceeding with the MVA. The court’s calendar, the complexity of the evidence, and whether the case resolves through negotiation or proceeds to trial all influence the timeline. Each step benefits from a clear understanding of what the prosecution must prove and where the defense opportunities lie.
Penalties for Drunk Driving in Maryland
Under Maryland law, a person driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher can be charged with a DUI per se offense. A separate charge exists under § 21-902 for driving while impaired, or DWI, which does not require a specific BAC threshold. Drunk driving is a criminal offense in Maryland, and a conviction carries consequences that extend well beyond the courtroom. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration assesses points against the driver’s license upon conviction — 12 points for a DUI and 8 points for a DWI. Accumulating 8 points triggers an MVA administrative hearing, and reaching 12 points results in license revocation.
Beyond license consequences, a drunk driving conviction can mean incarceration, fines, mandatory alcohol education programs, and substantially increased insurance premiums. A conviction also creates a criminal record that can affect employment opportunities, professional licensing, and security clearances. For commercial drivers, the consequences are especially severe, including disqualification of the commercial driver’s license even at a lower BAC threshold of 0.04. The statutory framework is complex, and the outcome in any specific case depends on the charge, the evidence, the driver’s record, and how the defense is presented. For a full statutory breakdown, see our comprehensive analysis.
Attorney Credentials
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded the firm in 1997. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience. Results may vary.
The Of Counsel team includes a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney who prosecuted criminal cases in Maryland District and Circuit Courts. That prosecutorial experience — building DUI cases from the state’s side of the courtroom — provides an understanding of how law enforcement gathers evidence, how officers are trained to administer field sobriety and breath testing, and how prosecutors evaluate the strength of a drunk driving charge. The firm’s Prince George’s County clients benefit from that perspective when building a defense strategy. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have documented 4,739+ case results across all practice areas since 1997. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I am pulled over for suspected drunk driving in Prince George’s County?
If you are pulled over, remain calm, provide your license and registration when asked, and exercise your right to decline field sobriety tests, which are voluntary under Maryland law. You are not required to answer questions about where you have been or whether you have been drinking. If an officer asks you to step out of the vehicle, comply calmly. The decision whether to submit to a breath test involves weighing legal consequences — Maryland’s implied consent law means that refusing a chemical test can result in an automatic license suspension separate from any criminal charge. Contact legal counsel as soon as possible after the stop.
Will I lose my license after a DUI arrest in Maryland?
A DUI arrest does not automatically mean a permanent license loss, but administrative action by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration can result in suspension if deadlines are missed or if the case is not challenged. You have a limited time after the arrest to request an MVA hearing to contest the suspension. Separate from the administrative proceeding, a conviction for DUI in court carries 12 points — enough for revocation — while a DWI conviction carries 8 points, triggering a hearing. For a free initial discussion of your situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Is a DUI in Maryland a criminal offense?
Yes, driving under the influence of alcohol in Maryland is a criminal misdemeanor offense, not a civil traffic infraction. A conviction under Maryland law can result in jail time, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record. A DWI charge under § 21-902 is also a criminal offense, though it carries less severe penalties than a DUI. Because both are criminal charges, you have the right to legal counsel and the right to trial. A conviction remains on your record unless expungement is available, and it can affect background checks, employment, and professional licensing.
Can I get a PBJ for a drunk driving charge in Prince George’s County?
Probation Before Judgment is available for certain drunk driving charges in Maryland and can be one of the most important outcomes a defense attorney pursues, because it avoids a conviction and points on your driving record. Under a PBJ disposition, the court places the defendant on probation and, upon successful completion, dismisses the charge without entering a conviction. Not every case qualifies, and the decision rests with the judge. Presenting a strong case for PBJ requires thorough preparation, including evidence of mitigating factors and a well-documented history. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have extensive experience advocating for PBJ dispositions in Prince George’s County.
How does having a former prosecutor on my defense team help with a drunk driving charge?
A former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney understands how DUI cases are built from the prosecution’s perspective — how officers document their observations, how breath test equipment is calibrated and maintained, and what evidence the state relies on at trial. This experience helps identify procedural weaknesses in the state’s case, from the validity of the traffic stop to the administration of standardized field sobriety tests. The Of Counsel team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Includes that prosecutorial experience, which guides case evaluation and strategy from the initial consultation through trial or resolution.
Speak With a Prince George’s County Drunk Driving Lawyer
A drunk driving charge raises immediate questions about your license, your record, and your next court date. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents drivers throughout Prince George’s County, including Upper Marlboro, Bowie, College Park, Laurel, Hyattsville, Greenbelt, Largo, Fort Washington, Lanham, Clinton, Capitol Heights, Oxon Hill, and Suitland. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear regularly in the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County and the Prince George’s County Circuit Court. To discuss your situation, reach our location at (888) 437-7747.
Our Maryland location is at 199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
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Results may vary. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.