Hiring a DUI Lawyer in Maryland
What a first DUI can cost in Maryland, how criminal lawyers charge, your right to a public defender, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Maryland: fee rules
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland, created in 1965 and supported by practicing attorneys, reimburses clients who lose money through misappropriation by Maryland lawyers (or out-of-state lawyers authorized to practice in Maryland) acting as attorneys or fiduciaries, except to the extent the loss is bonded; malpractice is not covered. Reimbursement for one claim, or all claims against the same attorney, cannot exceed 5% of the Fund's net balance. Claims must be filed within six months after the claimant discovers the theft (the Trustees may accept late claims). Filing is free, and a lawyer who helps may not charge a fee. Fund home: https://www.mdcourts.gov/cpf ; governing rules: Md. Rules 19-601 to 19-610 |
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Maryland rules to know first
| First-offense DUI penalties | First DUI conviction: up to $1,000 fine, up to 1 year in jail, 12 points, and license revocation of up to 6 months. First DWI (driving while impaired) conviction: up to $500 fine, up to 2 months in jail, 8 points, and a 6-month suspension (1 year if under 21). Separately, failing a test brings an administrative suspension of 180 days for a first offense (at 0.08–0.14 or 0.15 and above). Higher penalties apply when driving with a minor. |
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| Refusing a breath test | If a driver refuses a test for alcohol or drugs (or fails one), the officer takes the Maryland license, may issue a 45-day paper license, and issues an Order of Suspension. The administrative suspension for test refusal is 270 days for a first offense and 2 years for a second. |
| Hardship license | The MVA may issue a restrictive license during an alcohol-related suspension to a person who participates in its Ignition Interlock System Program. For a driver under 18 suspended for texting, the MVA may issue a restricted license limited to work, travel to and from work, or school. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Maryland State Bar Association does not make referrals itself; it says "Your county's bar association can help you find a lawyer in your area" and lists county bar numbers, including Anne Arundel (410) 222-6859, Baltimore City (410) 539-3112, Baltimore County, Carroll and Frederick (410) 337-9100, Harford (410) 836-0123, Howard (410) 313-3853, Montgomery (301) 279-9100, and Prince George's and Charles (301) 952-1440. Fees are set by each county service. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Maryland Judiciary's attorney listing, drawn from its Attorney Information System, lets you search by last name (partial names allowed) and first name, with a similar-names option. An attorney listed as active is in good standing and authorized to practice; other listings may show inactive or retired attorneys, judges, or attorneys with disciplinary or administrative actions affecting eligibility. Questions: Supreme Court of Maryland Clerk's Office, 410-260-1500. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints about Maryland lawyers go to the Attorney Grievance Commission's Office of Bar Counsel, which investigates and prosecutes violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Read the instructions, complete and print the Attorney Complaint Form (English or Spanish), and mail it to the Office of Bar Counsel, 200 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Suite 300, Annapolis, MD 21401. Questions: (410) 514-7051 (staff cannot discuss complaint details by phone). Public sanctions and actions affecting licensure are posted on the Commission's website. Sanctions: https://www.mdcourts.gov/attygrievance/sanctions |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | The Maryland Court Help Center, run by the Maryland Judiciary, offers "Free legal help with your civil matter" by phone at 410-260-1392, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Maryland Legal Aid, the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization, provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income Marylanders. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Maryland · Do I need a lawyer?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.