DUI Breath Test Attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, Experienced in Contesting Breathalyzer Results in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, and Throughout Maryland
Refused a breathalyzer test on Maryland’s roads? We know you're worried, and our Maryland breath test refusal lawyers are here to help.
Maybe you were confused about your rights, or you didn't trust the machine's accuracy at the time. Now you're facing DUI charges and additional penalties for refusing the test. The consequences are immediate:
- Your license gets suspended for up to 270 days.
We have helped hundreds of people who refused breath tests fight DUI charges, getting them dismissed or reduced.
Schedule a free consultation to talk about your case. We turn seemingly hopeless situations into second chances.
What Happens When You Refuse a Breath Test in Maryland?
When you obtained your Maryland driver's license, you promised to take a breath test if an officer suspects you're driving under the influence.
That’s why when you refuse a breath test, you face consequences:
- The MVA will suspend your license for 270 days on your first refusal.
- If it's your second time refusing, that suspension jumps to 2 full years.
- You’d likely need to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle for at least 1 year.
And your refusal doesn't make the DUI problem go away. In fact, refusal can make things worse. Prosecutors can use your refusal as evidence in court. Basically, they'll argue you refused because you knew you'd fail the test.
And if you're convicted of a DUI with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) 0.08 or higher, you're looking at:
- Up to a $1,000 fine
- Possible jail time up to one year
If your BAC was 0.07 but less than 0.08, the penalties are less severe:
- Up to a $500 fine
- Possible jail time up to two months
If you had a child under 18 in the car, the penalties double:
- Up to a $2,000 fine
- Possible jail time up to two years
When Can You Not Refuse a Breath Test in Maryland?
If you've been in a traffic accident that caused a life-threatening injury or death, and an officer has reasonable grounds to suspect you were driving under the influence, you cannot refuse the test.
In all other situations, you have the right to refuse the breath test, though that refusal comes with penalties.
How Our Maryland Breath Test Refusal Lawyers Fight to Get Your DUI or DWI Charges Dropped
Every breath refusal DUI case is unique, which is why we build custom defense strategies for each client. Here's how we might approach your breath test refusal DUI case:
When There Was No Breath or Blood Test
If you refused the test and no chemical test was taken, your DUI becomes an opinion crime case. This means the entire case hinges on the officer's subjective opinion of how you looked, acted, and performed on field sobriety tests.
You don't have to prove anything. The State of Maryland carries the burden to prove that:
- Your blood alcohol level was .07% or higher
- You lost your mental or physical abilities because of alcohol
Without scientific evidence of your BAC, our Maryland breath test refusal lawyers can make the prosecution struggle.
When There Was a Breath Test
If you initially refused but ended up providing a breath sample, we scrutinize every detail of that test:
- Was the breathalyzer properly maintained?
- Was the machine operating correctly at the time of your test?
- Did the officer follow proper protocol, such as waiting for a certain period and ensuring you didn't have gum or other substances in your mouth?
Breathalyzer machines aren't perfect. If proper procedures weren't followed, our Maryland breath test refusal lawyers can argue to have the test results thrown out entirely.
Additionally, Maryland law requires breath or blood tests to be administered within two hours of when you were detained. If your test fell outside this window, it can work in your favor.
If you're facing DUI charges for refusing a breathalyzer test, don't wait to get help. Contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Why Maryland People Turn To Maronick Law LLC for Their Breath Test Refusal DUI Case
Our DUI breath test attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, know how to help you through this tough time and fight for your rights.
We Know Both Sides
Our firm is unique because we truly understand how DUI cases work. Thomas J. Maronick Jr. spent many years as a police officer before becoming a lawyer. This means we know exactly what should happen during every step of a DUI stop. We find problems that other lawyers miss.
We Provide Comprehensive Support
When you hire us, you become part of our family. We study every detail of your case, from the moment you were pulled over to the last breath test. We can bring in forensic experts who can tell when tests aren't reliable. Our approach has helped many clients avoid serious charges.
Our Track Record
People trust us because we work hard:
- Ranked among Maryland's Super Lawyers 2025
- Perfect rating from Avvo, legal directory
- Named to America's Top 100 Trial Lawyers list
With over 80 years of experience, we've helped thousands of people protect their freedom and their futures:
“My husband had his 6th DUI case, and he never thought he would get out of this one. He contacted Mr. Maronick, and he gave him hope. He was always there to help my husband through it. He was extremely pleased with the outcome because he got a great result despite the serious jail time he faced going in. After the court, we were both very relieved with the outcome, and we would recommend Mr. Maronick to anyone who asked and would definitely use him again.” - Sharon Conroy
Don't let DUI charges control your life. Discuss your case with our DUI breath test attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, to see how we can help you fight these charges.
Contact Our Maryland Breath Test Refusal Lawyers at Maronick Law LLC Today for a Free Consultation
Every day matters in DUI cases. Waiting limits your options and puts your driving privileges, freedom, and job at risk.
For help from breath test refusal lawyers in Maryland, contact Maronick Law LLC online or call 443-551-2747 today.