La Plata DUI Lawyer

If you were charged with DUI or DWI anywhere in Charles County, your case is heard in La Plata. The District Court of Maryland for Charles County sits at 11 Washington Avenue. Nearly every drunk driving case in the county starts in that building. The Circuit Court sits next door at 200 Charles Street. A case moves there only if the defendant prays a jury trial, because the District Court does not hold jury trials.

That choice is not a small one. It changes your timeline, your judge, and often your strategy. Castro Law Group has handled DUI and DWI cases in these two buildings since 1993. Our office is in Waldorf. Call (301) 870-1200.

Where Your La Plata Case Is Heard

The District Court in La Plata is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except legal holidays. Its general information line is 301-934-5110. This is where you will appear first, no matter where in the county you were stopped.

Most first-offense DUI and DWI cases stay in District Court and finish there. Praying a jury trial sends the case to the Circuit Court at 200 Charles Street, which is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. That move buys time and adds a jury. It also resets the schedule and changes who hears the evidence.

There is no single right answer. The call depends on your BAC, the stop itself, your record, and what the State can actually prove. We talk that through with you before anything gets filed.

DUI and DWI Are Two Different Charges

Maryland treats these as separate offenses under Transportation section 21-902.

A BAC of 0.08% or higher supports a DUI charge. That is the per se limit. A first-offense DUI carries up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

A BAC of 0.07% is prima facie evidence of DWI, the lesser offense. You can also be charged below 0.07% if other evidence shows impairment. A first-offense DWI carries up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

People are often surprised by the second one. Two drinks can put you over 0.07%. Coffee and food do not change what the breath test reads.

The 10-Day MVA Deadline Runs Separately

Your criminal case is only half of the problem.

If you failed or refused a breath test, the officer took your license and gave you a paper one good for 45 days. To stop a suspension from starting before your hearing, you must request an MVA hearing within 10 days of the stop. Miss that window and the suspension begins on the 46th day.

This deadline has nothing to do with your court date in La Plata. It runs on its own clock. It is the single most common thing people miss, and it is not fixable after the fact.

What a Conviction Does to Your Record

The MVA assigns points on conviction, and those points sit on your record for two years.

• A DWI conviction carries 8 points, which makes you eligible for suspension.
• A DUI conviction carries 12 points, which makes you eligible for revocation.

A conviction can also trigger ignition interlock requirements. Whether that applies to you depends on your BAC, whether you refused testing, your prior record, and what the court or MVA orders. We will tell you where you stand rather than guess.

Related Charges We Handle in La Plata

A DUI stop rarely arrives alone. We also handle La Plata traffic defense matters, La Plata drug crimes charges, and assault defense in La Plata. For charges outside Charles County, see our Maryland DUI and DWI defense page.

Talk to a La Plata DUI Lawyer

Castro Law Group has served Maryland since 1993. We are 4.9-star rated. Our office is at 11701 Central Avenue, Suite 200, Waldorf, MD 20601, and we appear regularly in both La Plata courthouses.

If you were arrested this week, the 10-day MVA clock is already running. Call (301) 870-1200 or contact us online.

La Plata DUI Questions

Which courthouse will my Charles County DUI case be heard in?

The District Court of Maryland for Charles County, at 11 Washington Avenue in La Plata. It handles traffic violations and misdemeanors. Your case moves to the Circuit Court at 200 Charles Street only if you pray a jury trial.

Do you handle cases at both La Plata courthouses?

Yes. The two courts sit next to each other on Washington Avenue and Charles Street. We appear in both.

How long do I have to request an MVA hearing?

Ten days from the date of the stop, if you want to keep your driving privileges from being suspended before the hearing. If you do not request one, the suspension starts on day 46.

Can I be charged if my BAC is under 0.08%?

Yes. A BAC of 0.07% is prima facie evidence of DWI in Maryland. You can also be charged below that level if other evidence shows impairment.

Do you take cases from outside La Plata?

Yes. Our office is in Waldorf and we handle charges from across Charles County. Every Charles County DUI case is heard in La Plata regardless of where the stop happened.