Maryland Criminal Defense · Baltimore City · Baltimore County · Statewide
Maryland Criminal Defense · Baltimore City · Baltimore County · Statewide
DWI — Driving While Impaired — is a criminal misdemeanor in Maryland, not just a traffic ticket. Even at a lower BAC than DUI, the consequences are real and lasting. Allan Rombro has defended thousands of DWI cases across Maryland since 1987.
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Many people make the mistake of thinking that a DWI (Driving While Impaired) is simply a “lesser” version of a DUI — a minor matter that can be handled without serious legal defense. This is a dangerous assumption.
In Maryland, DWI is a criminal misdemeanor that carries real penalties: a permanent criminal record, fines, license points, and potential jail time. Employers perform background checks. Licensing boards ask about criminal convictions. Insurance companies raise your rates. A DWI conviction can follow you for years.
Allan Rombro has been defending DUI and DWI cases across Maryland since 1987. He knows the technical defenses, the science behind impairment evidence, and the procedural requirements that must be met by law enforcement. He has successfully challenged DWI charges that many thought were unbeatable.
A DWI conviction adds 8 points to your Maryland driving record. Accumulating 8–11 points triggers a mandatory driver improvement program. Reaching 12 points results in license suspension. If you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), the consequences are even more severe — any alcohol-related conviction can end a commercial driving career.
Allan Rombro handles both the criminal court case and any associated MVA proceedings simultaneously, ensuring your license is protected at every stage of the process.
Maryland distinguishes between two alcohol-related driving offenses. Understanding which charge you face — and the difference in penalties — is the first step in building your defense.
Law enforcement must have reasonable articulable suspicion to stop your vehicle. If the stop was not legally justified, all evidence gathered afterward — including breath test results — may be suppressed.
FSTs must be administered according to strict NHTSA standards. Medical conditions, medications, footwear, uneven surfaces, and weather all affect performance. Allan Rombro challenges invalid test administration routinely.
Breath testing equipment must be regularly calibrated and maintained. Improper calibration records, temperature interference, mouth alcohol, and medical conditions can all render results unreliable and challengeable.
From the moment of the stop through booking, officers must follow strict legal protocols. Failure to advise you of your rights, improper arrest procedures, or chain of custody errors can compromise the prosecution's case.
Certain medical conditions — GERD, diabetes, acid reflux, and others — can cause falsely elevated BAC readings. Medications can also affect both field sobriety performance and breath test results.
In many DUI cases, Allan Rombro successfully negotiates a reduction to DWI — a significant outcome. In DWI cases, he pursues reduction to a non-criminal traffic infraction wherever the evidence allows.
Have a question not answered here? Email Allan Rombro for a free, confidential consultation — available 24/7.
In Maryland, DUI (Driving Under the Influence) applies when BAC is 0.08% or higher and carries harsher penalties. DWI (Driving While Impaired) applies at a lower BAC of 0.04–0.07% and is technically a lesser charge — but still a criminal misdemeanor with a permanent record, fines, and license points. Both require serious legal defense.
Yes. DWI is a criminal misdemeanor in Maryland — not a simple traffic infraction. A conviction results in a permanent criminal record, up to 2 months in jail for a first offense, fines up to $500, and 8 points on your driving record. Employment, licensing, and insurance consequences make legal defense essential.
Yes. Allan Rombro challenges DWI charges by examining the validity of the traffic stop, field sobriety test procedures, breathalyzer calibration records, medical factors, and officer conduct. Many cases result in dismissal or reduction to a non-criminal traffic offense — a significantly better outcome for your record.
Absolutely. Even though DWI carries lesser penalties than DUI, it is still a criminal misdemeanor that results in a permanent record. Background checks, professional licensing, security clearances, and insurance rates are all affected. Experienced legal representation is essential — the free consultation with Allan Rombro costs you nothing.
Yes — and this is often a key strategic goal in DUI defense. A DUI conviction carries up to 1 year in jail, 12 MVA points, and mandatory Ignition Interlock under Noah’s Law. A reduction to DWI means significantly lower maximum penalties, fewer points, and no mandatory interlock requirement. Allan Rombro pursues this outcome wherever possible.
The sooner you act, the stronger your defense. Free consultation, available 24 hours.
Speak directly with Allan Rombro. Available 24 hours.
🔒 Confidential & no obligation. Your information is never shared.