Cockeysville Criminal Defense Lawyer

Baltimore Crimianl Defense Lawyers

Cockeysville is in Baltimore County, Maryland between Hunt Valley and Timonium. Cockeysville is connected to the surrounding areas by the Baltimore- Harrisburg Expressway, also known as I-83, and York Road. If you or someone you know have been charged with a crime in Cockeysville or the neighboring towns you will need a defense attorney. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras to assist in your defense and fight for you.

Court Houses in Baltimore County

After you are charged, you will receive a letter telling you when and where your hearing will be. In Baltimore County, there are three District Courts and one Circuit Court. The district courthouses are located in Towson, Essex and Catonsville. All three of these locations are within a 25-minute drive from Cockeysville. The Essex and Catonsville courthouses offer free parking on site and the Towson courthouse has garage parking. All locations operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. You don’t have to go to court alone, allow a Cockeysville criminal attorney stand by your side.

Criminal Defense Lawyer in CockeysvilleFrequently Asked Questions

What is a plea bargain and should I take one?

A plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and the prosecutor, in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest in exchange for a lesser sentence or reduced charges. Plea bargains are extremely important due to the congestion of cases in the criminal dockets. Criminal trials can take from days to weeks, depending on the amount of evidence that each side presents. Trials can also have unforeseen results. Plea bargains are not for every case but can be very beneficial. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras for a free consultation and to continue the conversation of plea bargains.

Should I fight a red-light camera ticket?

With the emergence of red light cameras, the question of what should I do arises. If you pay the ticket within the prescribed time, of normally thirty days, there will be no points added to your driver’s license. If you choose to not pay your ticket then the clerk’s office at the court will set a court date. If you win the case, it is dismissed with no penalties. However, if you lose points may be assessed and your insurance company will be notified. When fighting a red-light camera, the main question will be was the device working properly. If you want to fight the red-light camera, call a skilled Cockeysville attorney for a free consultation of the case.

What’s the difference between criminal and civil law?

There are two general types of law, criminal and civil. Criminal law deals with the State prosecuting a person for violating state or federal laws. Civil law generally deals with the relationship between private parties. Criminal law has a variety of punishments including jail, fines and probation. However, civil law has two outcomes, injunctive relief, meaning to refrain someone from doing a certain action and monetary damages. Civil law disputes normally arise out of contract disputes, but criminal law cases arise from breaking the state or federal government law. In criminal law cases, the burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt, meanwhile civil law the burden is a preponderance of evidence. If you are dealing with criminal charges, the stakes are much higher, so don’t hesitate to call a Cockeysville criminal lawyer.

Commonly Charged Offenses

DUI/DWI

If you spent the night out on the town and made a poor judgment to drive home, your life could be flipped upside down. You could be charged with a DUI if your blood alcohol content was .08 or higher or a DWI if your blood alcohol content was .07 or higher. Depending on if it was your first offense, the penalties can include fines and jail time. Don’t let one bad decision ruin your life, call an experienced Cockeysville lawyer to fight for you.

Burglary

Burglary is defined as the breaking and entering of a structure with the intent to commit a felony or other crime therein. There are four degrees of burglary, fourth-degree being the least serious. The term “breaking” could mean opening a partially closed door and “entering” could encompass entering a doorway. When charged with second-degree burglary, it means the person entered a storehouse or warehouse with the intent to commit a theft, crime of violence and/or arson. Under Maryland code, possession of burglar’s tools and breaking into a research facility are separate offenses. There are defenses to these crimes, such as consent or duress. Contact a Cockeysville lawyer to discuss your options.

Driving while revoked/ suspended

Driving with a revoked or suspended license can lead to misdemeanor charges that could carry jail time and/or fines. If it is not your first time being charged with driving on a suspended license, the penalties can increase even more. You can be caught driving on a suspended or revoked license just by being pulled over for a minor infraction. However, there is a defense that you can use to fight this charge. In Maryland, the knowledge that your license is revoked or suspended is required. This does not mean just actual knowledge, it also included inferred knowledge. So, you can’t just ignore the letters that the MVA has sent to your house. Proving this knowledge falls on the prosecution. If you have been charged with driving while suspended or revoked, you need a lawyer to help aid in your defense.

Call for a Free Consultation

Being charged with a crime is a frightening experience. You will have many questions that need to be answered concerning yourself and your family. An experienced Cockeysville lawyer will be able to answer all those questions and guide you through this hard time. Call today for a free consultation.