Introduction
Andrew Alpert holds a credential that no other Maryland attorney can claim: he is the state’s only board-certified DUI defense attorney and the sole ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist practicing in Maryland. That dual designation is not a marketing label. The ACS (American Chemical Society) Forensic Lawyer-Scientist certification requires specialized training in the science underlying blood alcohol testing, breathalyzer technology, and chemical evidence, knowledge that Alpert applies directly in DUI defense to challenge the reliability of the prosecution’s scientific evidence. The result is a Maryland DUI defense practice built on scientific analysis rather than generalist criminal defense.
Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys extends beyond that specialization. The firm handles the full criminal defense caseload: drug charges, violent crimes, sex offenses, theft, federal cases, and traffic violations. Former prosecutors are on the team, bringing firsthand knowledge of how charging decisions are made and how cases are evaluated on the other side of the courtroom. Combined experience across the firm exceeds 125 years.
The main office is at 4600 Forbes Boulevard Suite 201, Lanham, MD 20706, with additional offices in Frederick, Rockville, and Waldorf. The firm is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Payment plans are available. The phone number is 301-262-7005. Additional information is at andrewalpert.com.
Practice Areas
DUI / DWI Defense
DUI defense at this firm is built on Andrew Alpert’s forensic scientific training. Breathalyzer results and field sobriety tests that most defense attorneys accept at face value are subject to scrutiny here: the calibration and maintenance records of the testing device, the conditions under which the test was administered, the officer’s training and adherence to protocol, the physiological variables that affect breath test accuracy, and the chain of custody for blood samples.
Maryland DUI law distinguishes between driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while impaired (DWI), with different blood alcohol thresholds and different penalty ranges for each. A DUI conviction can result in license suspension, fines, mandatory alcohol education programs, ignition interlock requirements, and incarceration. The consequences for commercial drivers, professionals with licensed occupations, and non-citizens can extend further. Alpert’s board certification in DUI defense and his ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist credential represent the highest available specialization in this specific area.
Drug Charges
Drug charges in Maryland range from simple possession of a small amount of marijuana: now subject to different treatment following Maryland’s cannabis reform: to distribution, trafficking, and manufacturing offenses that carry severe penalties. Federal drug charges may arise from large-scale distribution networks, interstate trafficking, or other circumstances that bring federal jurisdiction into play.
Defense strategies vary depending on the charge: Fourth Amendment challenges to searches that produced the evidence, questioning the chain of custody for drug evidence, disputing the quantity attributed to the defendant, or addressing constitutional issues in the arrest. The firm handles Maryland drug charges across the spectrum of severity.
Violent Crimes
Violent crime charges: assault, robbery, weapons offenses, and homicide-related charges: carry the most serious penalties in Maryland’s criminal code, including mandatory minimum sentences in some circumstances. The stakes in these cases require thorough investigation, careful scrutiny of witness statements and forensic evidence, and strategic decisions about every stage of the proceedings.
Former prosecutors on the firm’s team understand how violent crime cases are built by the state, which informs the defense approach. Identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence and developing alternative narratives grounded in the facts are core to the defense of these cases.
Sex Offenses
Sex offense charges carry consequences beyond the criminal penalties themselves. Conviction typically requires registration as a sex offender, which imposes lasting restrictions on where the convicted person can live and work. The stigma attached to sex offense charges makes early and aggressive defense essential, even before charges are formally filed.
The firm handles sex offense charges at the investigation stage: before an arrest: and through trial if necessary. Early involvement allows the defense to protect the client’s rights during investigative interviews, preserve evidence, and build the factual record that will matter if the case proceeds to prosecution.
Federal Cases
Federal criminal cases carry distinct procedural rules, federal sentencing guidelines, and often more severe consequences than comparable state charges. Federal prosecutors have substantial resources and typically bring cases only after extensive investigation. Defense in federal cases requires familiarity with the federal courts, the sentencing guidelines, and the range of federal offenses from white-collar crimes and fraud to federal drug charges and firearms offenses.
Traffic Violations
Traffic violations in Maryland range from minor infractions to serious moving violations that carry points, license suspension, and insurance consequences. More serious traffic offenses: reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, driving on a suspended license: can carry criminal penalties. The firm handles traffic violations as part of its criminal defense work across Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Charles County, and surrounding Maryland counties.
Attorney Profiles
Andrew Alpert
Andrew Alpert is the only board-certified DUI defense attorney in Maryland and the sole ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist in the state. His certifications reflect a level of scientific training specific to DUI defense: understanding the chemistry of breath alcohol testing, the physiology of alcohol absorption and elimination, the calibration requirements for testing devices, and the protocols for blood alcohol analysis.
This scientific grounding allows Alpert to challenge breathalyzer results, field sobriety test evaluations, and other scientific evidence that the prosecution relies on in DUI cases in ways that generalist criminal defense attorneys are not equipped to do. His unique credentials within Maryland make him the singular specialist for defendants facing DUI charges where the scientific evidence is contested.
Additional Attorneys
The firm includes former prosecutors whose experience on the state’s side of criminal cases informs the defense strategies applied for clients. The combined experience of the firm’s attorneys exceeds 125 years.
Location & Service Area
Main Office: 4600 Forbes Boulevard Suite 201, Lanham, MD 20706
Additional Offices: Frederick, Rockville, and Waldorf
Phone: 301-262-7005
Service area includes Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Charles County, and surrounding Maryland counties. The four office locations provide accessible coverage across the geographic spread of the firm’s client base, from the Washington, D.C., suburbs in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties to the southern Maryland communities in Charles County.
Client Focus
The firm’s clients face criminal charges ranging from first-time DUI arrests to serious violent crime and federal cases. The firm’s 24/7 availability is particularly relevant for criminal defense because arrests do not happen on business hours. A client who is arrested late at night or over a weekend needs immediate access to counsel, not a voicemail.
Payment plans address the financial reality that criminal defense represents a sudden, unplanned expense for most defendants. A serious criminal charge cannot be addressed with a public defender substitute if the defendant qualifies for private counsel; the quality of representation matters too much. Payment plans make that representation accessible to clients who cannot pay a full retainer upfront.
The firm’s track record includes dismissals, not guilty verdicts, and reduced charges: the three outcomes that matter for defendants. These results reflect both the forensic scientific expertise Alpert brings to DUI cases and the broader criminal defense experience of the team.
FAQ
What does it mean that Andrew Alpert is the only board-certified DUI defense attorney in Maryland?
DUI defense board certification in Maryland is issued through a specialized program that tests attorneys on their knowledge of DUI law, the science of blood alcohol testing, and field sobriety testing procedures. Alpert is the only attorney in Maryland who holds this certification. In addition, his ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist designation reflects specific scientific training in the chemistry and methodology of chemical testing used in DUI cases, which he applies when challenging breathalyzer results and blood alcohol evidence.
Can the firm help if I was arrested for DUI and the officer says I failed a breathalyzer test?
Yes. Breathalyzer results are subject to challenge on multiple grounds: whether the device was properly calibrated and maintained, whether the testing protocol was correctly followed, whether the officer had the required training to administer the test, and whether physiological factors may have affected the result. Andrew Alpert’s forensic scientific training is specifically aimed at analyzing and challenging this type of evidence.
Does the firm handle cases in both Prince George’s County and Montgomery County?
Yes. The firm handles cases in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Charles County, and surrounding Maryland counties. The Lanham office is well positioned for Prince George’s County courts, while the Rockville office serves Montgomery County.
What happens if I am charged with a sex offense before an arrest is made?
The firm can become involved at the investigation stage, before charges are formally filed or an arrest is made. Early involvement allows the attorney to protect the client’s rights during any investigative interviews, advise the client on what to say and what not to say, and begin building the factual record. Waiting until after an arrest to seek legal representation means the investigation has already proceeded without a defense attorney present.
Are payment plans available?
Yes. The firm offers payment plans to clients who cannot pay a full retainer upfront. Criminal defense is an unplanned expense for most defendants, and the firm’s payment plan option makes representation accessible even when finances are constrained. Contact the office at 301-262-7005 to discuss payment arrangements.
Closing
Maryland’s only board-certified DUI defense attorney and sole ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist practices at Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys. That credential, combined with a team of former prosecutors and more than 125 years of combined experience, distinguishes this firm from generalist criminal defense practices operating in the same Maryland counties. For DUI cases where the scientific evidence is contested, for violent crime cases where the stakes are most severe, and across the full range of Maryland criminal charges, the firm offers 24/7 availability and a track record of dismissals, acquittals, and reduced charges. Contact: 301-262-7005 or andrewalpert.com. Main office: 4600 Forbes Boulevard Suite 201, Lanham, MD 20706.