Top DUI Lawyers Near Me in Columbia Area

Matthew Kunka is a Owner and CEO at Kunka Law, LLC, he is a licensed member in good standing with Maryland's Bar and the United States Federal Bar. Mr. Kunka distinguished himself at Gettysburg College where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science and played college football.. Directly following college, Mr. Kunka continued his education at the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. While in his third year of law school Mr. Kunka worked as a Rule-16 (law students trying cases in court) in the Broward County Public Defender’s Office. Mr. Kunka continued his distinguished professional career working as an Assistant Public Defender in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. As an Assistant Public Defender, Mr. Kunka provided a vigorous and aggressive defense for those in need of criminal counsel. He handled a wide variety of criminal matters and developed an outstanding reputation for providing his clients with aggressive and effective representation.. After investing years aggressively defending Maryland's less fortunate defendants at the Public Defender's Office, Mr. Kunka elected to advance his career by opening his own office for the practice of law focusing primarily on helping criminal defendants. As a private attorney, Mr. Kunka successfully defended a large number of defendants ranging from major felonies and serious crimes to DUI and related traffic matters. Mr. Kunka worked diligently to garner his reputation as an excellent and committed trial attorney. Many attorneys will routinely take the easy way out and automatically accept a plea agreement. While in some instances a plea agreement may be beneficial to a criminal client, Mr. Kunka prefers to try the case and will only recommend a plea if he believes all other alternatives are exhausted and that such an avenue is clearly in the best interest of the client.. After having represented numerous client in all walks of life and for all types of criminal matters ranging from felony to misdemeanor, Mr. Kunka has decided to focus his trial talent specifically on the defense of DUI cases throughout Maryland. He felt that his well honed trial skills would be best utilized to help individuals accused of various alcohol related matters.. In 2024, to better serve his clients neds Mr. Kunka opened Kunka Law LLC, where he is the owner. Mr. Kunka has 2 office locations one in Columbia and one in Glen Burnie. He handles matters in most jurisdictions in Maryland.

Luke Shealey graduated from The University of South Carolina with a B.A. in 2001. After clerking for two years at a major Columbia law firm Luke decided to pursue the practice of law. Mr. Shealey graduated law school in Boston, Massachusetts from the New England School of law. While there he was elected to the Student Bar Association and invited to write for one of the school’s several journals.. In 2006 Luke moved back to Columbia, SC and began working as an Assistant Public Defender, where he would diligently represent indigent clients on criminal cases for almost seven years. Mr. Shealey was a tireless advocate for his clients, and for the majority of his time as a public defender he represented only the most serious crimes. Mr. Shealey has taken countless cases to trial with exceptional results, earning an uncanny amount of not guilty verdicts to include murder, all levels of assault, domestic violence, kidnapping and driving under the influence cases. Luke was a graduate of the National Criminal Defense College in Macon, GA in 2008, and in 2012 he taught trial advocacy to the inaugural class of the South Carolina Defense College. In 2013 Mr. Shealey was appointed to his first death penalty case. He and the other team members were tasked with literally trying to save this man from execution by the State of South Carolina. In 2015 Mr. Shealey and the other members of the team were able to secure a life sentence for their client. Mr. Shealey has trained in the Colorado Method of Captial Voir Dire at the Colorado School of Law and also in death penalty defense at the Santa Clara University School of Law. Mr. Shealey is a member of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and active within his community. Mr. Shealey strives to provide powerful representation, and his vast courtroom experience allows him to achieve maximum results for his clients.. Mr. Shealey is admitted to practice in all South Carolina State and Federal Courts.

I have deep roots in South Carolina.  I am a native South Carolininian and I went to Richland School District One schools.  I grew up on Harden Street right up from Five Points.  I am a dedicated Gamecock, having attended USC for undergrad and law school. I have a soft spot for college students and love to help them avoid getting criminal records that might hurt their bright futures.. Through experience and the National College of DUI Defense, I have become skilled at navigating the law of DUI defense in South Caroina.  I will get you the best possible outcome for your case.. I am proud to represent clients who have been accused of any crime in the South Carolina courts.  You deserve the most effective defense no matter the situation.  We will treat you with compassion and guide you through the complexities of the legal process.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware, where I majored in Criminal Justice and participated in the Honors Program. I later attended the University of Baltimore School of Law where my concentration was litigation and advocacy. I studied under Professor Byron Warnken, who was my instructor for Criminal Law, Constitutional Criminal Procedure I and II. Graduating cum laude and winning an award for academic excellence, I earned my JD while ranking in the top 20% of my class. After participating in the University’s Clinical Program, I became licensed to practice law, serving as a public defender in Baltimore City. While working for the Office of the Public Defender, I also worked in the private sector for Towson attorney Richard Karceski, handling criminal matters. I was admitted to the Maryland Bar in December of 2007. Following law school, I served as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph F. Murphy, Jr. When I began my clerkship, Judge Murphy was the Chief Judge of the Maryland Appellate Court. Subsequently, Judge Murphy was appointed to the Supreme Court of Maryland. While working on both courts, I was responsible for conducting legal research and drafting appellate opinions, some of which have been published and now serve as Maryland law.. In 2009, I began working as a prosecutor for the Howard County State's Attorney's Office. I became a skilled trial lawyer by handling a variety of criminal and traffic cases for the State of Maryland.. I established my own practice in 2014, and have defended thousands of clients with a variety of criminal and traffic matters. Getting to know my clients is essential to providing the best representation. Developing that trusting relationship has led to many former clients keeping in touch with me over the years.. As an accomplished defense attorney for over 15 years, I have successfully litigated countless DUIs/DWI cases and criminal matters alleging crimes such as domestic violence, assault, drug possession, theft, and other jailable offenses.

Former Prosecutor with over 25 years of experience in criminal law.  Former Adminsitrative Hearing Officer. Experience also as an Investigator for a State Agency. I love trying cases and get great satisfaction by working with clients and presenting their side to prosecutors or law enforcement to get great results without going to trial. Each client's case demands a unique approach, tailored to fit the situation. Clients deal directly with me, not a paralegal or answering service. Call me at to get a lawyer who works hard, knows the law, and a lawyer who cares.

For over 30 years, Jason A. Shapiro has been a highly recognized and sought after attorney in the state of Maryland. Jason has consistently been recognized as one of Maryland’s Superlawyers, by Best Lawyers in America, and was even named their Lawyer of the Year in 2016.  He’s been honored by his peers in the criminal defense bar by being chosen as their leader, serving as President of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys’ Association from 2010 to 2011. Jason has served as the Managing Partner of Shapiro Zwanetz & Associates which has repeatedly been honored as one of the Best Law Firms in America. This recognition is due not just to the excellent results that Jason’s firm delivers to its clients; it is also due to the firm’s recognition that each client is a unique individual, each deserving of the highest client/customer service.. In serving his community as a Defense Attorney, Jason has defended thousands of Criminal, DUI/DWI, Traffic and Juvenile cases. Jason has handled over 1000 Motor Vehicle Administrative Hearings. Most notably, Jason has successfully defended all types of criminal matters, and securing dismissals of all charges regarding the last two First Degree Murder cases which he co-defended with his partner, David Zwanetz.. Prior to entering the private practice of law, Jason served in the Offices of the State’s Attorneys for both Montgomery and Howard Counties. While serving as an Assistant State’s Attorney, Jason prosecuted a myriad of cases from Misdemeanors and Felonies, and from Agricultural Crimes to First Degree Murder cases. As a prosecutor, Jason was honored to receive the scholarship offered by the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association to Career Prosecutor School (a/k/a “Prosecutors’ Top Gun School”).. Jason has lived in the state of Maryland his entire life, grew up in Silver Spring, and has lived in Columbia for nearly the past 35 years. He has been active in the local community, coaching his children’s sports teams; serving on charitable Board of Directors; and was appointed by then – Governor Martin O’Malley to be the Chairman of the Trial Courts Nominating Commission for Howard County from 2007 through 2015.  Since 2017, Jason was elected as the President and Chairman of the Board of "HC DRUG FREE" a non-profit organziation seeking to educate the Howard County community regarding the prevention and treatment of drug and/or alcohol abuse.

Focusing exclusively on DUI and traffic defense, Scott is the author of the groundbreaking book entitled "How to Choose a DUI Lawyer in Maryland". In the book, Scott provides the 11 questions you must ask any lawyer before hiring them AND explains 20 ways the average lawyer can lose a winnable case.

David is a criminal defense lawyer with over twenty-five years of experience. He has built a successful practice by establishing a unique relationship with each of his clients. His genuine concern for people, along with his dedication to upholding their rights, make him a reliable and trustworthy attorney.. David takes great pride in providing the best defense for his clients, as is evident through his interactions and commitment to each case. He personally manages every detail of every matter he takes on. He understands that the stakes are high, not just for his clients but also for their family members. He is there to guide all of them through a difficult, and often unfamiliar situation.. David is passionate about providing top notch legal criminal defense for his clients who are facing all sorts of charges. He handles DUI cases, juvenile offenses, theft, assault and drug crimes, among others. He understands how important it is to have an experienced professional during these difficult times. David’s clients can count on his unwavering commitment to getting the best possible outcome for their case.. As a Columbia, South Carolina native, David chose to practice law in his hometown, to give back to the community that’s given so much to him. After graduating Law School, David spent two years in Richland County as a public defender. He opened the Law Office of David B. Tarr in the year 2000.

Born and raised in Sumter, South Carolina, attorney Moses earned academic Gold Stars in his freshman year at The Citadel - The Military College of South Carolina. He transferred to Wofford College, where he graduated with honors, cum laude. After earning his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law, Mr. Moses clerked for the Honorable Thomas W. Cooper, Jr., Circuit Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit. After his clerkship, Mr. Moses became a state prosecutor for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, prosecuting cases that included DUI offenses, domestic violence (DV), assault and battery, felony drug offenses, burglary, armed robbery, and murder. This litigation experience has proven to be invaluable in his current position as a private attorney.  Mr. Moses handles all types of criminal charges in State and Federal Court, DUI and felony DUI offenses, felony drug offenses, domestic violence charges, assault and battery cases, robbery cases, traffic offenses, and misdemeanors.  In addition to his criminal practice, Mr. Moses also handles a wide variety of civil cases to include personal injury, auto accidents, negligence, wrongful death, and workers compensation claims.

Andrew Popplewell focuses his practice on DWI defense, general criminal defense, alcohol and drug offenses and traffic violations. Andrew grew up and worked on a fifth-generation family farm where he learned early on the importance of personal responsibility and work ethic. In 2001, Andrew graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.S. in Agriculture Economics. He began working for Eng & Woods in 2002 while still in law school and joined the firm as an associate in May 2005. Andrew became a partner with Eng & Woods in January 2010. He is an active member of the Missouri Bar, the Boone County Bar Association and both the Missouri and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.. Andrew Popplewell successfully handles more than 100 DWI cases yearly, while giving each client the attention they deserve. He has successfully tried multiple cases to both judge and jury resulting in not-guilty verdicts for his clients throughout the state of Missouri. Furthermore, he fights for all of his clients accused of crimes, contesting multiple cases monthly. Andrew obtained certification from the Department of Transportation to administer Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, a necessity for cross-examining arresting officers. Finally, he is one of only two attorneys in Columbia to attain membership in the prestigious National College for DUI Defense.. Attorneys from outside of Columbia, Missouri and attorneys who do not practice criminal law refer Andrew Popplewell cases on a continual basis — as do former clients. They all know that he is an aggressive lawyer who will give you an honest assessment of your case, and through a combination of knowledge and hard work, fight to get you the best result possible. Andrew received his AV rating from Martindale Hubbell in June, 2013, becoming Columbia’s youngest AV-rated attorney. Martindale-Hubbell has rated attorneys based on anonymous peer and judiciary ratings of attorneys’ legal ability and ethical standards. According to Martindale-Hubbell, the AV rating represents the “highest possible peer review rating in legal ability & ethical standards.” Less than 5% of all attorneys achieve a “AV Preeminent Attorneys” rating.

Experienced DUI attorney serving clients in Columbia and surrounding areas.

Experienced DUI attorney serving clients in Columbia and surrounding areas.

Experienced DUI attorney serving clients in Columbia and surrounding areas.

Experienced DUI attorney serving clients in Columbia and surrounding areas.

Experienced DUI attorney serving clients in Columbia and surrounding areas.

Experienced DUI attorney serving clients in Columbia and surrounding areas.

Experienced DUI attorney serving clients in Columbia and surrounding areas.

Experienced DUI attorney serving clients in Columbia and surrounding areas.

Experienced DUI attorney serving clients in Columbia and surrounding areas.

Experienced DUI attorney serving clients in Columbia and surrounding areas.

Experienced DUI attorney serving clients in Columbia and surrounding areas.