DUI Lawyer Charles County, MD

If you are facing a driving under the influence charge in Charles County, Maryland, the legal consequences can be substantial. A DUI conviction under Maryland law may result in jail time, fines, license suspension, and a criminal record that can affect your employment and driving privileges for years. The District Court of Maryland for Charles County—located at 200 Charles Street in La Plata—hears DUI cases, along with other traffic matters, from communities including Waldorf, Indian Head, White Plains, Bryans Road, and Hughesville. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, leads a team of Of Counsel attorneys who concentrate on defending individuals charged with DUI in Charles County. We work with clients to examine the traffic stop, challenge breath-test evidence, and negotiate for outcomes such as probation before judgment. To schedule a consultation, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

What DUI Means in Charles County, Maryland

In Maryland, driving under the influence is governed primarily by Maryland DUI statute (DUI per se, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher) and § 21-902 (driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs). Unlike a civil traffic infraction, a DUI charge is a criminal offense that is heard in the District Court. If you request a jury trial, the case moves to the Charles County Circuit Court. Law enforcement in Southern Maryland actively patrols Route 301, Route 210, and Route 5, and sobriety checkpoints are a frequent tool. A DUI arrest triggers both a criminal proceeding and an administrative action by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), which may suspend your driver’s license independently of the court outcome.

Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel understand the Charles County court environment and the prosecutors who handle these cases. Our defense approach often focuses on whether law enforcement had reasonable suspicion to stop your vehicle, whether field sobriety tests were administered according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards, and whether breath-test equipment was properly calibrated and maintained. Maryland is an implied-consent state; refusing a chemical test can lead to separate administrative penalties, but it does not automatically mean guilt. For many first-time offenders, a Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) disposition is a critical goal—it avoids a conviction and the points that normally trigger an MVA hearing at 8 points or a revocation at 12 points. In Charles County, the District Court at 200 Charles Street, La Plata, handles these decisions daily.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle DUI Cases

When you reach our firm, the first step is a consultation to understand the facts: what led to the traffic stop, what the officer observed, whether a preliminary breath test or chemical test was administered, and your driving and criminal history. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel then build a defense strategy. This may involve filing pretrial motions to suppress evidence if the stop lacked probable cause, challenging the validity of the breath-test results, or negotiating with the prosecutor for a reduced charge. Many DUI cases in Charles County can be resolved short of trial through a PBJ disposition or a reduction to a lesser offense, which helps clients avoid the 12-point revocation and a criminal record.

If resolution is not possible, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel are prepared to try the case. A jury trial moves the matter from District Court to Charles County Circuit Court. Our attorneys examine every procedural and scientific aspect of the state’s case—from the maintenance records of the breath-test device to the officer’s training in administering the standardized field sobriety tests. Because a DUI conviction has consequences beyond the courtroom—including MVA points, insurance-rate increases, and potential employment repercussions—we work to protect your record and your driving privilege. From the initial consultation through final disposition, we keep clients informed of their options and the progress of their case.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has built the firm since its founding in 1997. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His experience on the prosecution side of criminal and traffic cases gives him insight into how the state builds a DUI case and where weaknesses may lie. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).

Working alongside Mr. Sris are Of Counsel attorneys who bring extensive combined legal experience in traffic and criminal defense. The team includes litigators with significant backgrounds in Maryland courtrooms and in handling DUI and related charges. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel serve clients throughout Charles County, appearing regularly at the District Court in La Plata and at the Charles County Circuit Court. When you call (888) 437-7747 to discuss a DUI matter in Charles County, you speak with a firm that has practiced in Maryland for decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the penalty for a first-offense DUI in Maryland?

A first-offense DUI in Maryland is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, and a mandatory license suspension. In addition to the court-imposed penalty, a DUI conviction results in 12 points on your driving record, which triggers an automatic revocation by the MVA. Other consequences may include alcohol education or treatment, probation, and an ignition interlock requirement if you want to regain driving privileges. For many first-time offenders, the court may consider a Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) disposition, which avoids a formal conviction and the points altogether. The specifics of your sentence will depend on the judge, the prosecutor, and the facts of your case. To understand your options, speak with an experienced DUI attorney.

How does Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) work in a Maryland DUI case?

Probation Before Judgment allows the court to defer a finding of guilt and place you on probation; if you complete the probation terms, the DUI charge is dismissed and no conviction is entered. This means you avoid the 12-point revocation and the criminal record that a conviction creates. In Charles County, PBJ is often negotiated as part of a plea agreement, particularly for first-time offenders. The judge has discretion to impose conditions such as alcohol education, community service, or treatment. If you successfully complete the probationary period, you can truthfully answer that you were not convicted of DUI. An experienced attorney can advocate for PBJ by presenting mitigating evidence and demonstrating your commitment to safe driving.

Can I refuse a breath test in Maryland?

You may refuse a chemical breath test, but under Maryland’s implied-consent law, a refusal triggers an automatic administrative license suspension and can be introduced as evidence of guilt at trial. The MVA will suspend your license for a first refusal for several months, and the suspension is separate from any criminal penalty. In court, the prosecutor may argue that your refusal indicates consciousness of guilt. An attorney can challenge the suspension at an MVA administrative hearing and also challenge whether the refusal was actually a refusal or whether the officer complied with the required advisements. The decision to refuse a test is serious, and legal guidance is important to protect your driving privilege.

How many points until I lose my license in Maryland?

In Maryland, 8 points triggers an MVA point system hearing; 12 points results in revocation. DUI convictions carry 12 points, so a conviction means immediate revocation. Speed camera tickets carry NO points. Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) for traffic offenses avoids point assessment entirely. Cases are heard at the District Court of MD for Charles County. Our firm actively handles matters in Charles County, and we work to resolve DUI charges in ways that minimize or eliminate points. To discuss your case, call (888) 437-7747.

Do I need a lawyer for a DUI in Charles County?

You are not legally required to hire a lawyer for a DUI, but representing yourself puts you at a significant disadvantage because the court system and the prosecutor’s office have experienced professionals who know how to build a DUI case. An attorney can investigate whether the traffic stop was lawful, whether the breath test was accurate, and whether there are grounds to challenge the evidence. In Charles County District Court, a lawyer who knows local procedures and the judges can often negotiate a PBJ or a reduction to a less serious charge, which a self-represented person is unlikely to obtain. The stakes—jail, license revocation, and a permanent criminal record—make professional representation a wise investment.

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Last reviewed: July 2026

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.