Meet The Lawyer

AVID Law Firm was founded in 2014 with a focus on providing aggressive defense for drug crimes. Since then,

we have expanded our legal services to include representation for those accused of committing a wide range of crimes including DUI and DWI, white collar crimes, violent crimes, and more, with a team of superior criminal defense and DUI attorneys.

DUI And Criminal Defense

Having been a member of the bar since 2012, Mr. Prince Williams, Esq. is licensed to practice in all state courts in Maryland. When establishing AVID Law Firm, Attorney Williams made it his goal to provide every client with individualized attention, something he feels is missing at larger firms. He believes in keeping the lines of communication open so you’ll always know where things stand at every stage of your case.

Our firm motto is “Be Efficient, Practical, and Prompt” and we live by that motto every day

If you have been accused of committing a crime in Bethesda or anywhere else in Montgomery County, you can count on criminal defense attorney Prince Williams to fight for your rights and mount a vigorous defense on your behalf.A criminal conviction can have a devastating impact on every aspect of your life. In the immediate aftermath of an arrest, you could be facing jail time, fines, probation, suspension of your driver’s license and more. The stigma of having a criminal record can also follow you for years to come, requiring you to always reveal your past mistakes on any background check.

Call us today (240) 561-7433 to schedule an initial consultation. From the minute you walk through our doors, we are committed to delivering the best possible outcome. We are conveniently located in the White Flint area of Montgomery County MD.

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What To Expect From

The Criminal Process

Being in trouble with the law is an overwhelming and intimidating experience. You may be feeling scared, anxious, frustrated, and deeply concerned about the consequences you may be facing. Having a criminal defense attorney to guide you through the criminal justice system can ease some of your stress and give you confidence that you’re in good hands.

To give you an idea of what to expect during the criminal process, we’ve provided a brief overview of the average case from a procedural standpoint.

 

If law enforcement has probable cause to believe you committed a crime, you will be arrested. While you are in police custody, they may try to get you to talk. It’s critical that you exercise your right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you. For this reason, politely state that you do not wish to answer any questions until you have a lawyer present.
If you are cited, the police will give you a piece of paper that states the date you must appear in court. If you are booked at the police station, you will have your photo and fingerprints taken. Your belongings will most likely be confiscated and you will be kept in a detention area.
Within 24 hours of your arrest, you will have your first court appearance or arraignment. At this hearing, the state’s charges against you will be read aloud and you will have the opportunity to enter a plea.

At your arraignment, a judge will make a determination of whether to set bail, release you on your own recognizance, or keep you in police custody. Bail acts as an “insurance policy” that you will appear at future court dates. In setting a bail amount, a judge takes several factors into consideration including the seriousness of the offense, whether you are considered a flight risk or danger to the community, and whether you have a history of skipping court dates.

If bail is set and you cannot afford to post it, then you are entitled to a bail review hearing. Criminal defense attorney Prince Williams can represent you at this hearing and advocate for a reduction in your bail. If a reduction isn’t granted he can help you find a bail bonding company.

If you enter a guilty plea, the prosecutor may be willing to negotiate reduced charges or a lesser sentence in exchange for an admission of guilt. Mr. Williams will always act in your best interests and will always speak with you first before pursuing a plea deal.
If you were charged with a felony, you are entitled to a preliminary hearing before a judicial officer within 10 days of being charged. At a preliminary hearing, the prosecution will present the state’s evidence against you in an attempt to show that probable cause exists to charge you with the particular crime you are alleged to have committed.
In Maryland, there are two types of criminal courts: Maryland District Court and the Maryland Circuit Court. Most misdemeanors and some felonies are heard in the District Court which does not have a jury. More serious crimes are heard in the Circuit Court where a jury will deliver a verdict based on the evidence and testimony presented by both sides.

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Stopped On Suspicion Of A DUI?

Follow These Steps…

 

If you’ve been pulled over by the police and have been drinking, it’s important to remain calm. Here are the first vital steps you should take to protect your rights.

 

Use your turn signal to indicate your intent to pull overcome to comfortable stop and remain in car
Place your hands on the steering wheel and wait for the officer to approach your car
When asked, provide your license, registration and insurance card to the officer
Do not answer questions about whether you have been drinking, where you have been, where you are going, or if you take any medicines, etc. No matter how persistent the officer is, do not answer any of these questions. Politely respond with “I have nothing to say, officer
If the officer asks if he/she can search your vehicle, politely say no. The 4th Amendment protects you from illegal searches and seizures. An officer is not allowed to reach into your pockets or open a locked glove compartment or trunk without your permission. The only way you or your vehicle can be searched is if the officer has a“specific articulable suspicion” that there is an illegal item present or can see it in plain view.
Decline field sobriety tests”]An officer may ask you to step outside the vehicle to perform balance and coordination tests. They may use your performance on these tests as probable cause to arrest you. A criminal defense and DUI Lawyer may tell you that these tests are voluntary and almost impossible to pass. You will not be punished for refusing to participate in these tests.
Decline to blow into a portable breath test (PBT) at the scene, you are not legally obligated to submit to a PBT.
If you are arrested, you are legally obligated to take a breath or blood test at the police station. Opt for the breath test. This is less accurate than a blood test and easier to attack in court
Write down everything you remember about what transpired. The more details you can provide, the better defense we can build
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Penalties For Drunk Driving In Maryland

 

The repercussions of a Drunk Driving conviction varies from case to case
but some of the most common penalties imposed include:

  • Possible Imprisonment
  • Imposed Fines
  • Loss of driving privileges
  • Installation of ignition interlock device
  • Substance abuse education/treatment
  • Imposed Probation

Given the seriousness of penalties that can result from a DUI conviction,
it’s important to consult a qualified criminal defense and DUI attorney.

What is the Difference Between a DUI and DWI?
Under Maryland law, drunk driving can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI).

Driving Under the Influence of alcohol (DUI) is the more serious crime and requires either a breath test result of 0.08% or higher (“DUI Per Se”) OR a finding that the alcohol you consumed substantially impaired your normal coordination.

Driving While Impaired (DWI) is the less serious crime and can be charged if your BAC was between 0.07 and 0.08% OR a finding that the alcohol you consumed impaired your normal coordination to some extent.

 

 

 

DUI AND DWI Penalties

 

DUI Penalties

  • First offense
    • Fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in jail
    • driver’s license suspension up to six months
    • 12 points on driving record
  • Second offense:
    • Fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to two years in jail
    • driver’s license suspension up to one year
    • 12 points on driving record
  • Third or subsequent offense:
    • Fine of up to $3,000 and/or up to three years in jail
    • 18-month driver’s license suspension
    • 12 points on driving record

DWI Penalties

  • First offense
    • Fine of up to $500 and/or up to two months in jail
    • 60 days license suspension
    • 8 points on driving record
  • Second offense:
    • Fine of up to $500 and/or up to one year in jail
    • up to 120 days license suspension
    • 8 points on driving record
  • Third or subsequent offense:
    • Fine of up to $3,000 and/or up to three years in jail
    • up to 12 months driver’s license suspension
    • 8 points on record

 

 

How Refusing A Breath Test Impacts Your Driving Privileges

If you refused to submit to a breath test when you were arrested, and this is your first offense, your license might be suspended for
120 days or you might have an interlock fitted on your vehicle for one year. If this was your second offense and you refused the test,
your license, your license might be suspended for one year. Ge a hold of our office for thorough criminal defense and DUI representation.

Alternative Sentencing For DUI and DWI


In order to prevent losing your license on the 46th day, you must request a hearing with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)
within 10 days following the date of your arrest. Failure to request a hearing results in an automatic suspension of 120 days

If this is your first DUI or DWI offense, or you’ve been without a prior for the last 10 years, you may be eligible for a probation
before judgment (PBJ). This means that instead of being convicted, you would get a “slap on your wrist.” A judge will put you on
probation and ask you to participate in either alcohol rehabilitation classes, MADD Impact panel, community service, and/or driving
school. Once you successfully complete probation, the offense can be expunged three years after the date of your arrest.
After your DUI or DWI arrest, you will face two separate proceedings: a criminal hearing in a Maryland District Court where a judge will determine your guilt; and an administrative hearing conducted by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to assess whether you should have your license suspended or revoked. For the best result, you’ll need to involve a criminal defense and DUI attorney as early as possible.
After a DUI arrest, the clock starts ticking on your ability to save your driver’s license. The citation you were given by the police officer is a temporary license for 45 days. Get ahold of our office for experienced criminal defense and DUI representation.

 

Strategies For Beating A DWI Case

No matter how hopeless your case may seem, there are a number of defenses available that can lead to a positive outcome in your case.

Law enforcement must adhere to strict rules, procedures, and regulations from the time they pull you over through your arrest. As experienced criminal defense and DUI attorneys, believe it or not, there are many instances in which police officers make mistakes that can ultimately result in getting a DUI case thrown out.

The first line of criminal defense and DUI strategy is to challenge the legality of the traffic stop. The police officer must have had reasonable suspicion to believe that you committed a crime when he/she pulled you over. If the stop that resulted in your DUI arrest was not legal, the evidence
collected during the course of the investigation is not admissible in court.

Contrary to what you may have heard, breathalyzers are not foolproof indicators of intoxication. A criminal defense and DUI lawyer knows that just because you blew over the legal limit, doesn’t necessarily mean you are guilty. There are many factors that can trigger a false positive, such as:

  • the machine was not properly calibrated
  • there was radio frequency interference from a police radio in the vicinity
  • mouth alcohol contamination occurred meaning you vomited or belched within the 20 minutes prior to blowing
    into the machine
  • you may have a health condition such as gastroesophageal disease or chronic heartburn
  • Unqualified or inexperienced testers — your blood may have been drawn incorrectly
  • test tubes may be outdated or poorly maintained, non-sterile
  • blood may have been contaminated or tampered with during chain of custody