Montgomery County DUI/DWI Defense Lawyer

Since Montgomery County is one of the larger Maryland jurisdictions, there are two district courts, one in Silver Spring and one in Rockville. On most days there are two courtrooms each in Rockville and Silver Spring handling major motor vehicle dockets, dockets where all of the cases include at least one charge that carries a possible jail sentence. There are a number of police agencies operating in Montgomery County, including the Maryland State Police, the Montgomery County Police, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Police, Rockville Police, Chevy Chase Police, Gaithersburg Police, Takoma Park Police, and Metro Transit Police. Leonard R. Stamm has lived in Montgomery County since 1985 and has provided representation to drivers charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and/or driving while impaired by alcohol (DWI), serious motor vehicle offenses, and criminal offenses in Montgomery County, Maryland for almost 30 years.

Leonard R. Stamm is the author of Maryland DUI Law, the authoritative text on drunk driving law in Maryland. He is a former president of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys' Association. He also the Dean of the National College for DUI Defense. (Click here to read and watch a video of his Dean's Address). He is rated "AV-Preeminent" by Martindale Hubbell, recognized as a Super Lawyer, and a Best Lawyer. He is also given a rating of "10-Superb" by Avvo.

Drunk driving defense is one of the most complex areas of law, requiring extensive experience and expertise. The lawyer must carefully review all aspects of the State's case, from the basis for the stop, the officer's decision to require the driver to exit the car to perform standardized field sobriety tests, the administration and interpretation of standardized field sobriety tests, the advice of penalties for failing or refusing a chemical breath or blood test, and the administration of the test itself.

Before the initial consultation with a lawyer, clients may be sent extensive questionnaires to enable to lawyer to properly assess the case. In many cases, the driver may have a medical condition which the officer is confusing with signs of impairment by alcohol. At the consultation, the lawyer will review the events in detail, to determine the likely defenses at the MVA and in court. It is important to act quickly after an arrest, because if the driver wishes to contest a proposed suspension by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration for failing or refusing a breath test, a hearing request must be mailed with the required $150 fee, within 30 days from the arrest.

Many drivers have medical conditions that may mimic some of the signs and symptoms of impaired driving. It is possible to produce medical records showing that even before the arrest that the defendant suffered from a condition that the officer may have mistaken as indicating impairment.

It is unusual to see a case where there is not some defense available to beat or reduce the charges. In most cases, prosecutors offer plea deals that are no better than what would happen after losing a trial. So there is usually little downside to fighting the case in court.

Unfortunately, most lawyers in Montgomery County assume the case is too difficult to win in court or at the MVA and fail to challenge the State's case. Some lawyers never challenge the State's case. This can be a huge mistake since most DUI cases have issues that can be raised in defense, and with zero or very minimal penalty. In other words, the result of fighting and losing is rarely worse than just pleading guilty or not requesting a hearing at the MVA. So why would you want to choose a lawyer who will not fight your case? When interviewing a lawyer, you should ask if your lawyer intends to fight the case, and if not, why not.

Leonard R. Stamm represents clients throughout Montgomery County MD including: Ashton, Aspen Hill, Bethesda, Boyds, Brookeville, Burtonsville, Darnestown Maryland, Montgomery Village, Mt Airy, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Laurel, Laytonsville, Leisure World, Olney, Poolesville, Chevy Chase, Clarksburg, Comus, Damascus, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Wheaton, and Woodbine.

If you are facing criminal or traffic charges in Maryland state or federal court, call Leonard R. Stamm at 301-345-0122 for a free consultation.