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Gary S. Bernstein, P.A.Principal
Gary Stuart Bernstein
Pro

Gary Stuart Bernstein

4.9
92 reviews

210 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson, MD 21204

Driving While Intoxicated, DUI/DWI, Vehicular Homicide and 50 more

About Gary Stuart Bernstein

SELECTED SELECTED LAWYER OF THE YEAR IN MARYLAND 2024 by Best Lawyers.

I am a former Assistant State's Attorney for Baltimore City and have been in the private practice of criminal and drunk driving law for over 40 years. My tag says "No Plea" because I am known for trying cases. Many lawyers look to get in and out of court as quickly as possible. My objective is to secure the best possible outcome for my clients. I'm no pallbearer. I handle all state and federal criminal and traffic matters. I can assist with criminal and DUI matters throughout Maryland including Anne Arundel County (Annapolis and Glen Burnie), Baltimore County (Catonsville, Towson, and Essex), Carroll County, Cecil County, Harford County, Howard County, and Baltimore City.

I have been named Maryland Super Lawyer for Criminal Defense: DWI/DUI for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

I have also been selected for inclusion in the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers In America in the practice of DUI/DWI Defense.

I have been AV Peer Review Related by Martindale-Hubbell since 1990. This is the "Highest Possible Peer Review Rating In Legal Ability & Ethical Standards" by this organization that uses peer review to evaluate lawyers in the United States and Canada.

In addition to DUI defense, I am actively engaged in the defense of people accused of all criminal matters. The defense of drug distribution and drug possession cases make up a considerable part of my criminal practice.

I have co-authored books and taught continuing legal education courses for criminal defense lawyers since 1982.

These are reference books that even the judges make use of:

"Handling DWI Cases"

"Criminal Practice and Procedure in the District Court of Maryland"

In November 2003 I successfully completed the 24 hour National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) training course for administration of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. This training provides me with an inside look at the actual police training and what was required at the roadside when you were administered these exercises.

I have been AV Peer Review Related by Martindale-Hubbell since 1990. This is the "Highest Possible Peer Review Rating In Legal Ability & Ethical Standards" by this organization that uses peer review to evaluate lawyers in the United States and Canada.

If you are charged with a DUI or any criminal offense, please call our office at or locally at immediately as there are certain critical time limits for your case.

 

Gary Stuart Bernstein (Towson, Maryland) View website

Awards

Client Reviewed
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Champion Badge Reviewed
AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV
Avvo Client's Choice
This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com.
Avvo Client Choice

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Gary Stuart Bernstein got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

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Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Gary Stuart Bernstein got this award in 2021

Reviews for Gary Stuart Bernstein

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Overall Rating
4.9
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92
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90
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Communication
1.0
Quality of Service
1.0
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1.0
Value for Money
1.0
Misdemeanors
Posted by Michael
October 09, 2025
Hired Attorney Gary Stuart Bernstein

Gary Bernstein was the worst lawyer me and my family have ever dealt with in our lives. He was hired to represent for a bail hearing and completely bombed in the court room, allowed his client to not meet with him prior to the hearing, and did not even meet with his client after the hearing. He allowed his client's constitutional rights to be violated without sticking up for them as he allowed the detention center to violate his client's 6th amendment right (the right to counsel) and 8th amendment right (the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment).

 
From the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network

Services

Areas of Law

  • Criminal Law 11
    • DUI/DWI
    • Traffic Violations
    • Drug Crimes
    • Felonies
    • Federal Criminal Law
    • Homicide
    • Misdemeanors
    • Weapons Charges
    • Parole and Probation
    • Sex Crimes
    • Theft
  • Drivers License Suspension
  • Personal Injury 1
    • Wrongful Death
  • Malicious Prosecution
  • Other 38
    • Driving While Intoxicated
    • Vehicular Homicide
    • Manslaughter
    • Drug Trafficking
    • Drugs and Narcotics
    • Criminal Defense
    • Controlled Substances Law
    • Criminal Conspiracy
    • Search and Seizure
    • Drug Forfeiture
    • Money Laundering
    • Civil Drug Forfeiture
    • Assault and Battery
    • Burglary
    • Civil Forfeiture
    • Criminal Forfeiture
    • Criminal Fraud
    • Criminal Investigation
    • Electronic Surveillance
    • Extortion
    • Extradition
    • Forensic Accounting
    • Forgery
    • Forensic Science
    • Forensic Medicine
    • Forensic DNA
    • Grand Jury Practice
    • Habeas Corpus
    • Hit and Run
    • Mail Fraud
    • Murder
    • Post-Conviction Remedies
    • Sexual Assault
    • Shoplifting
    • Stalking
    • Wire Fraud
    • Personal Injury Law
    • Wiretapping

Practice Details

  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Free initial consultation
    Fixed hourly rates
    Fixed fees available
    Accepted Credit Cards
    American Express
    Discover
    MasterCard
    Visa
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Principal
    Firm Name
    Gary S. Bernstein, P.A.
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Livingston v. State 317 Md. 408
    Wills v. State 82 Md.App. 669
    Hardaway v. State 317 Md. 160
    State v. Davis 310 Md. 611
    B.N. v. K.K., 312 Md. 135
    Mullaney v. Aude 126 Md.App. 639
    Clea v. Mayor
    City Council of Baltimore 312 Md. 662.
  • Additional Links
    http://www.noplea.com

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1975, Maryland
    1976, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
    1980, U.S. Supreme Court
    1975, U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
    Memberships
    Maryland State Bar Association, Inc.
    National College for DUI Defense
    Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association (Member, Board of Directors, 1984—
    Chairman, Rules Committee, 1990)
    National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of Baltimore
    Class of 1975
    J.D.
    Other Education
    University of Maryland
    Class of 1972
    B.S.
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1950
    Baltimore, Maryland, September 19, 1950

Contact Gary Stuart Bernstein

Principal at Gary S. Bernstein, P.A.
4.9
92 reviews

One Office Suite 100, 210 W. Pennsylvania AvenueTowson, MD 21204U.S.A.

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Fax: 410-823-0610

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Gary Stuart Bernstein is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, United States District Court for the District of Maryland and United States Supreme Court.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Gary Stuart Bernstein has a 5.0 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney accept major credit cards?
    Yes, Gary Stuart Bernstein will accept MasterCard, Discover, Visa and American Express.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Gary Stuart Bernstein attended University of Baltimore.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Gary S. Bernstein, P.A. was established in 1987.

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