Motor Vehicle Hearing Attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, Representing Clients at DMV Hearings in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, and Throughout Maryland
Facing an MVA hearing in Maryland? We know you're anxious. Our Maryland MVA hearing lawyers can help.
Maybe you got a DUI, or refused a breath test, and now the MVA wants to suspend your license. You've only got a few days to request a hearing, and your driving privileges hang in the balance. The stakes are high:
- You could lose your license for months or years.
- Your job and family life might be affected.
Our team has represented hundreds of Marylanders at MVA hearings, often helping them keep their driving privileges or get restricted licenses.
Take the first step to save your license. Schedule a free consultation to talk about your situation.
What You Need to Know About MVA Hearings in Maryland
An MVA (Motor Vehicle Administration) hearing is a formal proceeding where an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decides whether your driving privileges should be suspended, revoked, or restricted.
Unlike criminal court, MVA hearings focus solely on your driving privileges.
When Do You Face an MVA Hearing?
You face an MVA hearing when you:
- Drive under the influence
- Refuse to take a breathalyzer test
- Accumulate too many points on your driving record
- Are involved in an accident
Understanding Maryland's Point System
Maryland uses a point system to track driving violations. Accumulating 8 to 11 points leads to license suspension, while 12 or more points results in license revocation.
Points add up quickly. A single DUI charge carries 12 points, instantly putting your license at risk of revocation.
Key Factors an Administrative Law Judge Considers in MVA Hearings
At your hearing, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) considers several factors to determine if your driving privileges should be suspended, restricted, or canceled, including:
- Valid traffic stop: Did the police officer have reasonable grounds to stop you?
- Evidence of impairment: Was there evidence you had used alcohol or drugs?
- Accident severity: If there was a motor vehicle accident, did it result in someone's injury?
- Proper procedure: Did the officer properly advise you of the consequences of refusing a test and your right to a hearing?
When an Administrative Law Judge Suspends Your Driving License
The ALJ suspends your license if they find that:
- The police had reasonable grounds to stop you
- There was evidence you used alcohol or drugs
- The officer properly advised you of your rights and the penalties you will face
License Suspension Periods
The length of license suspension depends on your situation. For example, If your BAC was 0.07 or more but less than 0.15:
- First offense: 180-day license suspension
- Subsequent offense: 9 to 12 month license suspension
If your BAC was 0.15 or more:
- First offense: 180-day license suspension
- Subsequent offense: 270-day license suspension
If you refused the chemical test:
- First offense: 270-day license suspension
- Subsequent offense: 2-year license suspension
Discuss your license suspension or revocation case with us today. Our motor vehicle hearing attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, can help.
How Our Maryland MVA Hearing Lawyers Can Protect Your Driving Privileges
Our defense strategy depends on why your driving privileges were suspended or revoked. We dig deep into every aspect of your case to find weaknesses in the prosecution case. For example, if you're facing DUI charges:
We Can Challenge Traffic Stops
The constitution protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. This means police need a valid reason to pull you over, not just a feeling or because it's late at night.
Our Maryland MVA hearing lawyers scrutinize every detail of your traffic stop:
- Was there actually a traffic violation?
- Did the officer have reasonable suspicion?
If not, we can argue that everything that followed—including breathalyzer results—should be thrown out. These details matter, and we find them.
We Can Attack Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests are subjective and can be unreliable. Field sobriety tests can be difficult for completely sober people to pass due to factors like:
- Nervousness
- Physical limitations
- Improper instructions
We review dashcam footage, officer training records, and test conditions to challenge field sobriety test results.
How We Prepare You for Your MVA Hearing
When you work with our firm, our motor vehicle hearing attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, ensure you're fully prepared for your hearing:
- We review what questions to expect and how to respond effectively.
- We gather and organize all supporting documentation before your hearing date.
- We explain the hearing process and environment so there are no surprises.
- We develop a clear, persuasive narrative that addresses the ALJ's key concerns.
- We prepare you for cross-examination if testimony is required.
Critical Timing for MVA Hearings
The clock starts ticking immediately after you receive a suspension order. If you request a hearing:
- Within 10 days: Your license won't be suspended before your hearing.
- Within 11 to 30 days: Your license will be suspended on the 46th day from the suspension order date.
- After 30 days: Your request will likely be denied and suspension takes effect on the 46th day.
Contact our Maryland MVA hearing lawyers today to protect your driving privileges.
Why Choose Maronick Law LLC for Your MVA Hearings in Maryland?
The difference between keeping and losing your license often comes down to one thing: who's standing beside you at that hearing.
We See What Others Miss
Our founder, Thomas J. Maronick Jr., brings something no other law firm can match: actual experience as a police officer.
This insider perspective means we see what others miss:
- We know exactly how officers are trained to conduct stops.
- We understand how tests should be properly administered.
- We identify where mistakes happen and how to use them to protect your driving privileges.
Personal Attention That Makes the Difference
When you call other firms, you might speak to a paralegal or assistant. When you call us, you get your attorney every time. MVA cases move quickly, and details matter. We have helped people coming to us after other lawyers told them their case was hopeless.
Results
Our track record speaks for itself:
- Our clients facing first-time DUI charges avoided any license suspension.
- Many of our client facing test refusal charges resulted in significantly reduced penalties.
- Almost every client maintained some form of driving privileges.
With over 80 years of combined experience, we've built a reputation that the legal community recognizes. That recognition matters when your future is on the line.
Your license matters. When something that important is at stake, you deserve a team that treats it with the same gravity you do. Discuss your case with our motor vehicle hearing attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD.
Contact Our Maryland MVA Hearing Lawyers at Maronick Law LLC Today for a Free Consultation
Losing your license means losing the independence you've built your life around. A suspended license affects everything – your career, your family obligations, and your daily freedom.
For help from MVA hearing lawyers in Maryland, contact Maronick Law LLC online or call 443-551-2747 today.