DUI Defense Attorney in Howard County
Former Prosecutors Defending Howard County DUI & DWI Charges
A DUI arrest in Howard County triggers two simultaneous legal battles: a criminal case at the Howard County District Court in Ellicott City and a separate Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) administrative proceeding that can take your license before you ever set foot in court. Both tracks move quickly, and the decisions made in the first days after an arrest can shape the outcome of both. Because Maryland doesn’t permit DUI convictions to be expunged from a criminal record, the consequences reach far beyond the sentence itself, affecting employment, professional licensing, and housing for years to come.
At Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake, we defend Howard County clients against drunk driving charges as a team. Our attorneys are former prosecutors who understand how the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office constructs its DUI cases, which means we know where to look for weaknesses in the State’s evidence. Founded in 2005, our firm brings over 50 years of collective legal experience to every case we accept. We intentionally keep a short client list so that each DUI matter receives sustained, partner-level attention from attorneys who know Howard County courts, not from junior staff handling a crowded docket.
Time is critical after a DUI arrest. MVA hearing deadlines are strict, and missing them means automatic license suspension. Call our Howard County DUI defense attorneys now at (410) 927-5137 to protect your rights and your license.Why Howard County DUI Clients Choose Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake
Recognition from independent rating organizations reflects a consistent record of performance. All three attorneys at our firm hold a 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating, and all three are rated by Super Lawyers. U.S. News & World Report named Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake to its Best Law Firms 2026 edition with Regional Tier 1 recognition in Criminal Defense: General Practice and Regional Tier 2 recognition in DUI/DWI Defense.
Our access model is built around the concerns clients actually have when they call after an arrest. We’re available 24/7 for urgent needs because a DUI arrest rarely happens during business hours. Initial consultations are free and carry no obligation. For clients who need flexibility on fees, we offer in-house payment plan options on qualifying cases. Most importantly, we work every case as a team: each attorney contributes their individual strengths, and no Howard County DUI client ends up with a single attorney working in isolation on a matter that demands full attention.
What Our Howard County DUI Defense Team Does for You
The moment we take a case, we begin building the defense on both legal tracks simultaneously. Our former-prosecutor background tells us how the State assembles its evidence and where the gaps tend to appear. We review every element: whether the officer had lawful justification for the traffic stop, how standardized field sobriety tests were administered, whether chemical testing equipment was properly maintained and calibrated, and whether the arresting officer followed required procedures at every step.
On the administrative side, we handle the MVA hearing on your behalf, working to protect your driving privileges before the Order of Suspension takes effect. For Howard County residents in Columbia and surrounding communities, where public transportation options are limited, keeping your license is often as urgent as the criminal matter itself. The criminal case and the MVA hearing are determined independently, so a result in one doesn’t automatically carry over to the other. Having attorneys who handle both from day one keeps your defense coordinated.
Where the facts support it, we negotiate with prosecutors toward outcomes such as reduced charges or probation before judgment (PBJ). Under Maryland law, PBJ is a court disposition that defers entering a formal conviction. Successful completion means no DUI conviction appears on your criminal record, which matters significantly given that Maryland doesn’t allow DUI convictions to be expunged. Whether a case is resolved through negotiation, an administrative hearing, or trial, the goal is the same: the strongest possible outcome given the specific facts.
DUI vs. DWI Under Maryland Law
Maryland’s drunk driving statute (Md. Transportation Code §21-902) creates two distinct charges based on blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the degree of impairment.
- DUI applies when the driver’s BAC was .08 or higher, or when their normal faculties were substantially altered by alcohol. A first offense carries up to 1 year in jail, up to $1,200 in fines, up to 6 months of license suspension, and 12 points assessed against the MVA record.
- DWI applies when the driver’s ability to safely operate their vehicle was in any way affected by alcohol. A BAC of .07 or more but less than .08 can support a DWI charge even without crossing the DUI threshold. A first offense carries up to 2 months in jail, up to $500 in fines, up to 60 days of license suspension, and 8 points assessed.
Both charges result in a permanent criminal record that can’t be expunged in Maryland. For a second or subsequent DUI conviction, penalties increase significantly and may include mandatory incarceration. The distinction between the two charges matters for defense strategy, and our team evaluates which charge applies and how the facts bear on each element the State must prove.
Named to U.S. News Best Law Firms 2026 with Regional Tier 1 recognition in Criminal Defense: General Practice and Regional Tier 2 in DUI/DWI Defense, our Howard County drunk driving lawyers are ready to fight for you. Schedule a free consultation by calling (410) 927-5137 or submitting an online contact form today.
See Why We're the Right Choice
Reasons to Choose Our Firm
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We approach every case as a team.
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Every initial consultation is free and no-obligation.
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We are available for you 24/7.
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We are a team of former prosecutors and know how the other side thinks.
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We have in-house payment plan options on qualifying cases.
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We are highly recommended and awarded by various associations.
A High-Quality Reputation
Read Reviews from Real People
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"Mr. Lake's reputation for integrity, diligence and competence which he earned as a former Assistant States Attorney and while he has been in private practice aided him in achieving the result he did."I am a retired Attorney who recommended a personal friend to Justin Lake. I received his name by speaking with an old friend of mine who is still considered one of the top criminal lawyers in Maryland. My friend was clearly guilty of driving while impaired as was evidenced by a video taken at the scene by the investigating officer and the fact that he failed the breathalyzer test. A verdict of Probation Before Judgement or Guilty would have been life altering for him and his family in that it could have resulted in his deportation from this Country and the absolute prohibition of his being able to apply for admission of his family in to the United States. My friend had learned that he had been granted asylum three days before he was charged. Aside from that charge he had an impeccable record. He is employed by a continuing care community where his service is valued which is evidenced by the excellent job reviews he has consistently received. Mr. Lake was engaged to represent him and charged a fee customary for representing someone charged with such an infraction. I know from my experience that he expended far more time on the case than he was compensated for, but he did not ask for an increase in the fee. He spoke multiple times with an Assistant State's Attorney of the County as well as the States Attorney, removed the case to a higher Court and with the Assistant State's Attorney met with the Circuit Court Judge of the County. At that meeting Mr. Lake introduced a legal opinion prepared by my friend's immigration attorneys with whom he conferred which set forth the aforementioned consequences that would ensue were any judgment aside from a PBJ(C) entered. It is the only judgment that would not impact his and his family's immigration status. Such a judgment is extremely rare. I am of the opinion that Mr. Lake's reputation for integrity, diligence and competence which he earned as a former Assistant States Attorney and while he has been in private practice aided him in achieving the result he did.- Rosser
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"Will Be In Good Hands"I never hesitate to refer any potential clients with criminal defense needs to Justin Lake or David Zwanetz- Joe M.
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"Easy to work with"Prompt, professional, and easy to work with as a client.- Zach S.
At Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake (SZL) we believe in thinking differently from most lawyers and law firms. We help our clients understand and accept their legal situation; we work with them to confront and improve that situation, while seeking the best outcome available at law. We recognize that each client is a unique individual, each deserving of the highest client/customer service; and we just happen to get our clients excellent results while we deliver that exceptional service.
DUI Defense Strategies in Maryland Courts
Anyone charged with drunk driving in Maryland is presumed innocent, and the State carries the burden of proving every element of the charge. Our former-prosecutor background gives us an inside view of how the State assembles its case, which tells us where to look when evaluating the evidence against our clients.
Defense strategies in Howard County DUI and DWI cases include:
- Unlawful traffic stop: An officer must have probable cause or reasonable articulable suspicion before initiating a stop. A stop based on a hunch rather than an observed traffic violation may render the evidence collected during that stop inadmissible in court.
- Improper arrest procedures: Every step of the arrest must follow lawful procedure. The officer must advise the driver of their rights and provide required forms before administering a chemical test. Failure to follow required steps can be raised as a defense.
- Improperly maintained or calibrated testing equipment: BAC testing machines must be maintained and calibrated to required standards. Results from a machine with faulty maintenance records can be challenged as unreliable, calling the accuracy of the reported BAC into question.
- Improper field sobriety test administration: The three standardized field sobriety tests (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand) must be administered according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) protocols. Deviations from those protocols can undermine the reliability of the test results.
Not every defense leads to an outright dismissal. Favorable outcomes can also include probation before judgment or a negotiated reduction to a lesser charge, either of which can keep a DUI conviction off a permanent record that Maryland law doesn’t allow to be expunged. Our team evaluates every avenue based on the specific facts of each case.
