Harford County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Baltimore Crimianl Defense Lawyers

Have you been charged with a crime in Harford County, Maryland? No matter the offense, be it a felony or misdemeanor, a Harford County criminal attorney can be of assistance. At the Law Office of Randolph Rice, we understand that things can get out of control, that is why an experienced attorney will help to formulate the best route to take to mitigate the outcome.

Courts and Criminal Offenses in Harford County, MD

Bel Air, one of the hubs of Harford County, is home to the Maryland District and Circuit courts. The District Court in Harford County operations 8:30-4:30 Monday through Friday except for legal holidays. It is a court with broad jurisdiction, which encompasses all landlord-tenant disputes, motor vehicle violations, misdemeanors and certain felonies. Jury trials are only conducted at the Circuit Court, which handles appeals from the District Court and more serious criminal cases and major civil cases.

Driving While Suspended

Driving with a suspended license in Harford County can lead to serious consequences for the driver. The offense is a misdemeanor that can lead to fines, jail time and the possibility of a revoked license. There are multiple reasons that a license can be suspended, such as failure to appear in court as required by a citation and failure to pay a traffic fine. If the license is suspended for these two reasons the driver can face up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 for a first-time offense. If a license is suspended due to an excess of points, the consequences can be much more severe. If you have been pulled out for driving on a suspended license, contact a Harford County criminal lawyer today.

Disorderly Conduct

Disorderly conduct, also commonly associated with disturbing the peace, can encompass a variety of circumstances. For example, if a citizen obstructs traffic or enters private property and disturbs the occupants, they may be charged with disturbing the peace. The charge is a misdemeanor offense with penalties up to $500 and 60 days in jail. To mitigate these consequences, contact an attorney to discuss possible defenses.

Assault

Assault can be a misdemeanor or felony and can be charged in the first or second degree. Assault in the first degree is a felony that has a maximum penalty of twenty-five years. Second-degree assault is a misdemeanor but may be a felony if the defendant assaulted a law enforcement officer. The maximum penalty for second-degree assault is ten years and a $5,000 fine. No matter first or second-degree assault judges may also impose a period of probation ranging from one to five years. All of these results can greatly affect your future and can be stressful to handle alone. Without the assistance of a qualified attorney, you have little chance of winning if your case goes to trial, so call a Harford County criminal lawyer today.

Questions Your Harford County Attorney Can Answer

I was charged with assault but was doing it in self-defense, what should I do?

There are four defenses to the charge of assault in Maryland, one being self-defense. In order to prove self-defense the judge or jury must be able to find all four factors were present: (1) the defendant was not the aggressor or although the defendant was the initial aggressor, he did not raise the fight to the deadly force level, (2) the defendant actually believed that he was in immediate and imminent danger of bodily harm, (3) the defendant’s belief was reasonable and (4) the defendant used no more force than was reasonably necessary to defend himself in light of the threatened or actual harm. If you have been charged with assault, contact an attorney to discuss the possibility of a self-defense defense.

What will be the outcome of my case?

If you are charged with a crime, one of the first questions that come to mind is what will happen. Many people think that there is just not guilty and guilty with prison time or fines. Well, there are numerous other outcomes that can arise from a criminal charge including; nolle proesqui, acquittal, probation before judgment (PBJ), not criminally responsible and a hung jury.

A conviction has far reaching consequences that can affect you the rest of your life. If you are found guilty, you may not be able to expunge the charge from your record. However, if you receive PBJ you will be able to expunge the charges. Calling a Harford County Criminal Attorney will explain all possible outcomes for your case and will formulate the best defense for you.

I have a criminal record that has affected my life; is there any way to remove the offense?

If you have an arrest or conviction on your record, that can affect your prospects of getting a job, receiving federal funding for higher education and much more. That conviction does not have to stay with you forever because Maryland has a procedure in place that allows for expungement of criminal records. In order to begin the process, you must file a petition for expungement. There are multiple factors to determine if expungement is a viable option for you. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras to further discuss the prospects of removing your criminal conviction from your record.

Contact a Harford County, MD Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If your life has been plagued by a criminal charge or conviction, do not go at it blindly. Be sure to contact an experienced Harford County criminal lawyer to discuss all possible options to get your life back to normal.