Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer

Baltimore Crimianl Defense Lawyers

The criminal justice system is part of the very foundation of our country and legal system. Becoming entangled with the justice system is often frightening, and the average person might be unprepared to handle the situation alone.

If you are arrested for a crime, there are some steps you should take to protect yourself. First, avoid answering police questions about the alleged offense. Second, contact an attorney for help as soon as possible. Potential criminal charges include various felonies and misdemeanors. The minimum and maximum penalties in your case depend on your unique charges. You should hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you possibly can. Even if you think you can handle the case on your own, you should still speak to a lawyer.

Facing criminal charges is one of the most difficult and terrifying experiences a person can go through. You should not have to handle the ordeal on your own. Our Baltimore criminal defense lawyers can assist you. For a free case review, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

What to Do After Being Arrested in Baltimore

If you or someone you know is arrested, there are a few important steps to help protect yourself from law enforcement. Remember, the police are not on your side, and anything you say to the police can be used against you, even if you do not realize it. Call our Baltimore criminal defense lawyers for help immediately after you have been arrested.

After being arrested, the police will book you before asking you some questions. Some questions are about basic personal information so they can properly identify you. You usually have to answer these questions, but they are not usually incriminating, so you do not need a lawyer to answer them. After that, the police might conduct some custodial interrogation.

Custodial interrogation refers to being questioned by the police about an alleged crime while the police have you under arrest or in custody. Certain legal rights come into play at this point, and the police must inform you of your Miranda rights. These rights include remaining silent and refusing to answer any questions. You should clearly and directly invoke this right as soon as the police explain it to you. Second, you have a right to have a lawyer present, and you should also invoke this right before calling our team for help.

Once you meet with your attorney, your main focus should be getting bail and being released from jail. Your attorney can help you argue for the least restrictive bail possible so you can go home to your family while working with your attorney to prepare for your trial.

Possible Criminal Charges and Penalties in Baltimore

Potential criminal charges in Maryland tend to fall into two broad categories. Misdemeanors are relatively minor offenses that are usually punished with less jail time. Many low-level misdemeanors might not carry jail time, but defendants might have to pay expensive fines or abide by strict probation terms. Felonies are more serious and tend to come with much harsher prison terms. A person convicted of a felony might spend several years or more behind bars. Our Baltimore criminal defense lawyers can help you assess your charges and determine what kind of penalties you might face.

Historically, misdemeanors were punished by less than 1 year in jail, while felonies could be punished by 1 year or more. While this distinction still largely holds true, it is not absolute. Many misdemeanors in Maryland may be punished by more than 1 year in jail, and sentencing is based on complex guidelines that judges must consider when imposing a sentence.

Sentencing is unique to the charged offenses, and your case’s potential prison or jail time depends on the unique combination of charges you are facing. For example, under Md. Code, Crim. Law, § 3-402(b), robbery is a felony punishable by no more than 15 years in prison. Meanwhile, kidnapping under Md. Code, Crim. Law, § 3-502(b), is also a felony, but the penalty is much higher, and convicted defendants face up to 30 years in prison.

When You Should Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Baltimore

Many people are reluctant to hire a lawyer because they think they cannot afford to do so. You should hire a lawyer as soon as possible, even if you have not been charged yet. Our Baltimore criminal defense lawyers can help you get ahead of your charges before the situation gets out of hand.

The sooner you hire a lawyer, the better. Criminal defendants sometimes mistakenly think they do not need a lawyer until they begin the trial. In reality, hiring a lawyer before trial is extremely last-minute and not a good idea. It is best to hire a lawyer immediately after arrest, even if charges have not yet been formally filed.

Hiring your attorney sooner can help you get ahead of the charges. For example, a lawyer might be able to identify tainted evidence very early and prevent it from being allowed in the courtroom. If enough evidence is excluded from your trial, your attorney can file a motion to dismiss your case or convince prosecutors to drop the charges because it is unlikely they will win. In such a case, you would not even have to go through a trial.

If you believe an arrest is forthcoming, you should speak to an attorney before the police apprehend you and set up a plan. If you have already been arrested, call a lawyer as soon as possible. Make sure you do not answer any questions other than basic identifying information until you have a lawyer with you.

Call Our Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyers for Help Today

If you are in legal trouble and believe an arrest is forthcoming, or if charges are currently pending, you can call our Baltimore criminal defense lawyers for help. For a free case review with our team, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

Resources