DUI/DWI Lawyer Towson – Defending Impaired Driving Charges in Baltimore County
Experienced Defense Against Impaired Driving Charges in Towson, Essex, and Catonsville
If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI or DWI in Baltimore County, Maryland, you are already on two tracks at once. The criminal case will be heard in District Court in Towson, Essex, or Catonsville—or in the Circuit Court in Towson if a jury trial is prayed or the case is appealed. Separately, the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) can suspend the license under Transportation Article § 16-205.1, often before the first court date.
Maryland does not treat “drunk driving” as one charge. Transportation Article § 21-902 splits the offense into driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence per se, driving while impaired by alcohol, driving while impaired by drugs, and driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance. The subsection on the citation controls the jail exposure, the fine, and the points.
At Shepard Law in Towson, principal attorney Stephen P. Shepard provides client-centered and compassionate criminal defense representation to individuals facing DUI and DWI charges throughout Baltimore County. With more than a decade of dedicated service defending clients in Towson, Essex, Catonsville, and surrounding communities, our law firm firm focuses on understanding your unique circumstances and protecting your future with thoughtful, personalized advocacy.
Take the Next Step – Contact Shepard Law Today
The MVA clock starts at the stop. A request for an administrative hearing generally must be made quickly—often within 10 days of the Order of Suspension if the goal is to keep driving on the temporary permit while the hearing is pending. Do not wait for the criminal court date to deal with the license.
Call Shepard Law at (410) 648-4008 or complete our secure online contact form for a free, confidential consultation. We also offer jail visits for a fee when needed. Attorney Stephen P. Shepard is prepared to listen carefully to your story, explain your rights, and provide the client-centered and compassionate representation you deserve.
DUI and DWI Are Not the Same Charge
People use the terms interchangeably. Maryland law does not.
- Driving under the influence / DUI per se — § 21-902(a). DUI is substantial impairment of normal coordination. DUI per se is a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more at the time of testing. First conviction: up to 1 year and $1,200, plus 12 points. Second conviction: up to 2 years and $2,400.
- Driving while impaired by alcohol — § 21-902(b). A lower impairment threshold than DUI. First conviction: up to 2 months and $500, plus 8 points. Second conviction: up to 1 year and $500.
- Driving while impaired by drugs, or by drugs and alcohol — § 21-902(c). The State must prove the person was so far impaired that the person could not drive safely. First-conviction exposure is generally aligned with the DWI track: up to 2 months and $500.
- Driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance — § 21-902(d). First conviction: up to 1 year and $1,200. Second: up to 2 years and $2,400. This is not the same charging theory as alcohol impairment.
A 0.07 result can still support a DWI theory. A commercial driver is held to 0.04 in a commercial vehicle. A driver under 21 is subject to a separate alcohol restriction that can be violated well below 0.08. Transporting a minor raises the statutory maximums on each of the subsections above.
The Two Cases: Court and MVA
The criminal case decides guilt, jail, fines, probation before judgment, and points. The MVA case decides whether the person can drive in the weeks after the arrest. Winning one does not automatically win the other.
Under § 16-205.1, a person who drives in Maryland is deemed to have consented to a chemical test when detained on suspicion of a § 21-902 offense. The officer cannot force the evidentiary test without a warrant in the usual case, but a refusal has its own administrative penalty. An Order of Suspension is issued at the scene or at the station. The temporary permit that often comes with that order is short-lived. Requesting the MVA hearing on time is how many drivers keep that permit in force until an administrative law judge rules.
Where These Cases Are Heard
Most first-offense DUI and DWI cases start in Baltimore County District Court. That court sits in Towson, Essex, and Catonsville. The citation will name the location. A jury-trial prayer or an appeal takes the case to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, which sits only in Towson. Shepard Law appears in all of those courtrooms.
Strong Defenses to DUI and DWI Charges
At Shepard Law, we thoroughly investigate every impaired-driving case to build a thoughtful defense strategy tailored to your situation. Common issues include:
- The stop. The officer needed a lawful reason to pull the vehicle over. A weak or after-the-fact justification can require suppression of everything that followed.
- The investigation. Field sobriety tests are standardized for a reason. Instructions, surface, footwear, medical conditions, and how the officer scored the clues are all litigable.
- The chemical test. Observation periods, machine certification, operator qualifications, and the way a blood draw was obtained can exclude or undermine a result.
- The wrong subsection. A DUI per se count requires a qualifying 0.08 result. A CDS-impairment count is not proved by the smell of alcohol. Charging theory matters.
- The MVA record and the criminal record are different files. A first-offender disposition in court does not automatically fix an unrequested administrative suspension.
Stephen P. Shepard approaches each case with care and attention, working closely with clients to pursue the most appropriate resolution—whether suppression, a reduction from DUI to DWI, probation before judgment where available, a workable interlock plan, or trial.
Why Choose Shepard Law for DUI/DWI Defense in Baltimore County
Stephen P. Shepard is a respected Baltimore County criminal defense attorney recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star,” Avvo with a 10.0 “Superb” rating, Martindale-Hubbell as a “Client Champion Platinum,” and The National Trial Lawyers as a “Top 40 Under 40.” He is an active member of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association and regularly appears in Baltimore County courts.
Our Towson office, located at 303 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson, MD 21204, serves clients across Baltimore County. At Shepard Law, you receive client-centered and compassionate representation focused on your individual needs and long-term well-being.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Towson DUI/DWI Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI, DWI, or related impaired driving offense in Towson or elsewhere in Baltimore County, prompt action is essential to protect your rights and explore all defense options. Shepard Law offers free, confidential consultations to review the specifics of your case and outline a clear path forward.
Contact us at (410) 648-4008 or complete the secure form below to speak directly with Towson criminal defense attorney Stephen P. Shepard. We provide 24/7 availability for new clients and respond promptly to all inquiries.
FAQs About DUI/DWI Defense
Stephen P. Shepard has over 13 years of experience successfully defending clients against DUI and DWI charges. His extensive tenure in Baltimore County has provided him with deep insights into the local legal landscape.
No, Shepard Law exclusively serves clients charged with offenses in Baltimore County, Maryland. This geographic focus allows us to maintain a thorough understanding of the local judges and prosecutors.
A DUI generally refers to driving under the influence, while a DUI Per Se charge is based specifically on your blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit. Shepard Law is well-equipped to defend clients against both types of allegations.
Yes, our firm provides comprehensive defense strategies for clients facing DWI Drugs charges. We understand the complexities of these cases and work diligently to protect your rights in court.
You can contact Shepard Law to schedule a Free Consultation to discuss the details of your case. This initial meeting allows us to evaluate your situation and explain how our experience can benefit your defense.
Having a lawyer familiar with the specific judges and prosecutors in Baltimore County is a significant advantage. Stephen P. Shepard leverages his local experience to navigate court procedures effectively and build a strong defense strategy.
While both are serious offenses, they involve different legal thresholds regarding impairment. Shepard Law specializes in navigating the nuances between DUI and DWI statutes to ensure your defense is tailored to the specific charge.
During your Free Consultation, we will review the circumstances of your DUI or DWI arrest and discuss your legal options. Our goal is to provide clear, actionable advice so you understand exactly how we can assist with your defense.
Shepard Law offers award-winning defense by utilizing over a decade of local courtroom experience. We work closely with our clients to challenge the evidence and aim for the best possible outcome in their Baltimore County case.
DUI and DUI per se under § 21-902(a) are the more serious alcohol charges—substantial impairment or a 0.08 result—with up to 1 year and $1,200 on a first conviction and 12 points. DWI under § 21-902(b) is the lesser alcohol-impairment charge: up to 2 months and $500 on a first conviction and 8 points.
