DUI with Drugs Attorney in Salisbury

Facing Drugged Driving Charges? Get Strategic Legal Guidance in Salisbury, MD

If you face charges for driving under the influence of drugs (DUI with drugs) in Salisbury, Maryland, your next steps will greatly impact your future. DUI with drugs charges can strain your life, affecting your license, reputation, and daily routine. At MacDonald Law Office, LLC, we guide you through each challenge with direct legal advice, drawing from years of courtroom experience. 

Our office, located right across from the Salisbury District Court, allows us to serve clients quickly throughout the Eastern Shore of Maryland who want straight answers and steady guidance from a dedicated DUI with drugs lawyer in Salisbury.

Salisbury's active traffic corridors, such as U.S. Route 50 and Route 13, see frequent law enforcement patrols. If a Salisbury police officer stops you, you may be asked to perform field sobriety tests or submit to chemical screening. In these situations, contacting a DUI with drugs attorney in Salisbury immediately provides you with valuable legal insight at a critical time.

Contact an experienced DUI with drugs attorney in Salisbury immediately. Call (410) 348-7809 or reach out online for immediate, free consultation.

Understanding Maryland DUI with Drugs Laws

Maryland law targets two distinct forms of driving while impaired by substances other than alcohol alone, both of which require proof of impairment:

• Driving While Impaired by a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS): This offense applies specifically to impairment caused by a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) (e.g., cocaine, heroin, non-prescribed pain medication). The State must specifically prove the drug found in the system is a CDS and that the driver was impaired by it. A conviction carries a maximum of one year in jail for a first offense and 12 points on your license.
• Driving While So Far Impaired by Drugs/Combination: This is the broader charge, covering impairment from any drug, any combination of drugs, or a combination of drugs and alcohol. The State does not have to identify a specific illegal substance, only that the impairment was so significant that the person could not drive safely. This covers prescribed medications (even if taken correctly) and over-the-counter drugs.

We recognize that the central problem for the defense in a DUI with drugs case is the lack of a legal limit, which puts immense focus on the subjective observations of the arresting officer.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of DUI with Drugs Convictions

A conviction for DUI with drugs in Maryland results in both criminal and administrative penalties that can severely impact your life.

Direct Criminal Penalties

• DUI with CDS (First Offense): Misdemeanor; up to 1 year in jail and a $1,200 fine.
• DWI with Drugs (First Offense): Misdemeanor; up to 2 months in jail and a $500 fine.
• Subsequent Offenses: Penalties increase significantly, including mandatory minimum jail sentences and increased maximum prison time.

MVA and Collateral Consequences

• License Points: A conviction carries 8 or 12 points on your driving record, which can lead to license suspension or revocation by the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
• Refusal: Refusing a drug test (blood, urine, or saliva) can lead to an automatic license suspension, even if you are ultimately found not guilty of the criminal charge.
• Professional Impact: Convictions can jeopardize professional licenses, especially for CDL holders or those in healthcare.
• Immigration: DUI with drugs can sometimes be classified as a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT), leading to severe immigration consequences.

The Maryland Defense Process for DUI with Drugs

Defending a DUI with drugs case requires a dual focus: challenging the science in criminal court and defending your license at the MVA hearing.

• MVA Hearing Management: You must request an MVA hearing within 30 days (and preferably 10 days) of the arrest to contest the administrative license suspension resulting from a test refusal. We manage this critical deadline immediately.
• Challenging the DRE Testimony: We use cross-examination to discredit the Drug Recognition **'s subjective evaluation and the unreliable nature of their field tests.
• Scientific Rebuttal: We retain forensic toxicologists to analyze the blood test results. We argue that the drug concentration was too low to cause impairment, or that the drug's residual presence did not equate to intoxication at the time of driving.
• Suppression of Evidence: We file motions to suppress evidence if the police lacked probable cause for the stop or if there were flaws in the warrant or procedures used to obtain a blood sample.
• Plea Negotiation/Reduction: Leveraging scientific doubt, we argue for a reduction to a non-drug, non-alcohol traffic offense (like negligent driving) to avoid the criminal conviction and mandatory points.

Our Comprehensive Approach to DUI with Drugs Defense

At MacDonald Law Office, LLC, we provide a defense strategy that exploits the legal ambiguities inherent in DUI with drugs cases.

We are former prosecutors—this is our core strategic advantage. We have seen the flawed evidence and subjective analysis used by the State's Attorney to prove impairment, giving us the unique ability to challenge the evidence effectively in Wicomico County courts.

The Three Areas We Attack

• Impairment (DRE Evaluation): Police often use a Drug Recognition Evaluation to conduct a 12-step evaluation. We challenge the officer's training, the administration of these complex tests (like the Modified Romberg Balance Test), and the subjective nature of the DRE findings.
• Blood Test Science: The State must rely on blood tests to confirm the presence of drugs. We challenge this evidence because the mere presence of drugs (especially substances like cannabis, which can remain in the system for weeks) does not prove the driver was impaired at the time of driving.
• The Traffic Stop and Observation: We challenge the initial probable cause for the traffic stop and the officer's subjective observations (slurred speech, poor driving) that led to the impairment conclusion.

As your Salisbury DUI with drugs defense lawyer, we understand that defeating the "impairment" element is the path to a dismissal or a favorable outcome.

Why Choose MacDonald Law Office for DUI with Drugs Defense

Our attorneys, Andrew and Cynthia MacDonald, provide a rare dual perspective as former prosecutors and experienced criminal defense lawyers. This background gives us an inside view of how the state prepares DUI with drugs cases, so we can anticipate prosecution tactics and develop a strong legal defense. 

You work directly with an attorney at every stage—never with paralegals, never with intermediaries. We answer your questions, explain every option, and keep communication clear so you can make confident decisions about your case.

• Hands-on defense approach: Attorneys personally lead your case, drawing on years in both prosecution and defense roles in Maryland courts.
• Clear, timely client communication: We keep you updated at every phase so you know what comes next.
• Proven knowledge of Salisbury’s legal landscape: Familiarity with local judges, police, and procedures in Wicomico County and surrounding jurisdictions can add real value to your defense strategy.
• Flexible, responsive scheduling: We strive to meet urgent needs and can often arrange meetings quickly, sometimes the same day.

Trust matters when you are choosing a DUI with drugs lawyer in Salisbury. Our firm prioritizes consistent communication and fosters a direct attorney-client relationship throughout your case. We listen to your concerns, address your worries, and ensure you are never alone as you navigate the complexities of a DUI with drugs charge in Wicomico County or elsewhere on the Eastern Shore.

Local Insight: How Salisbury & Maryland Courts Handle DUI with Drugs

The Wicomico County District Court in downtown Salisbury processes the majority of DUI with drugs cases in the area. Local prosecutors and law enforcement strictly follow Maryland drugged driving laws, and cases often proceed from arrest to hearing and from hearing to resolution rapidly. 

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration also plays a role in decisions about driver’s license penalties, which may occur independently of the court outcome. Our DUI with drugs lawyers in Salisbury leverage their familiarity with police practices, courthouse routines, and prosecutor priorities to keep you aware of the unique local factors that might shape your path through the system.

DUI with drugs charges sometimes intersect with other criminal allegations, such as possession of a controlled substance or prior impaired driving charges. In these circumstances, Salisbury prosecutors may adjust their approach based on the facts unique to our local community—such as past cases, the officer’s background, or location of the stop. 

Our firm’s long-standing presence in Salisbury, regular appearances before local judges, and current knowledge of court schedules keep your case on track as rules or priorities shift over time. We stay alert to new legal trends and make sure you receive accurate, up-to-date advice relevant to your case and the local courthouse environment.

Take the Next Step—Talk with a Salisbury DUI with Drugs Lawyer Who Listens

If you face a DUI with drugs or drug intoxication charge in Salisbury or anywhere on the Eastern Shore, contact MacDonald Law Office, LLC today. When you call our office, you connect directly with an attorney who understands your concerns and offers clear guidance. 

We explain what to expect, your available options, and your rights at each stage. Our firm stands out for personal service, honest advice, and strong communication from your first call through your final court date. 

Call (410) 348-7809 or fill out this online form now to schedule your confidential consultation and take the first step toward protecting your future.