Ellicott City Criminal Defense Lawyer

Baltimore Crimianl Defense Lawyers

Ellicott City, located in Howard County, Maryland, is part of the Baltimore- Washington Metropolitan Area. Within Ellicott City is Historic Ellicott City, which is home to many shops, events, and restaurants. With all that there is to do, if you have found yourself facing charges after a night out on the town, call an Ellicott City criminal attorney today.

Howard County Court Houses

Ellicott City is home to both the District and Circuit courthouses for Howard County. The District Court, located at Courthouse Drive, operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is parking next to the building, or if taking public transportation is on the Yellow Route. The Circuit Court, located at Court Avenue, has the same operation times and offers free parking. Knowing when and where to appear for court is one less thing to worry about when facing criminal charges.

What rights do you have once arrested?

Once you are arrested there are a number of rights that you have. Many of them are listed in the Miranda warning that should be given when you are arrested. You have a right to remain silent if questioned by the police and the right to be represented by an attorney before speaking to the police. You also have a right to know what offense(s) you are being charged with and the right to be told the identity of the arresting officer. Furthermore, you have the right to communicate by telephone with an attorney, family, friends or a bonds person. When you have been arrested it is essential to know that you always have a right to have an attorney by your side.

What occurs during a consultation?

When you come in for a consultation you have a chance to explain your circumstances and ask any questions that you may have about the law firm or any processes moving forward. The attorney will then give you some initial thoughts on the case and answer any questions you may have about the attorney. If the attorney believes that he/she will not be able to assist you they will voice their concerns, however, if they can be of service to you further actions will be discussed. All of this initial consultation is to no cost to you. If you are facing criminal charges, come into Rice, Murtha & Psoras for your free consultation.

Are you going to jail?

Many offenses have penalties that may include jail time. The idea of going to prison is frightening and can elicit many thoughts of ruining your future. No defense attorney will be able to make promises of avoiding all jail time. However, an experienced attorney will sit down with you to discuss what you are to expect from the charges that you are facing. Often times the offenses and penalties are able to be mitigated by plea bargaining or a strategized defense depending on whether the case goes to trial. An experienced Ellicott City criminal lawyer will work with you to keep you out of jail and/or mitigate possible penalties.

DUI/DWI

Driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated are both serious charges that can result in fines, loss of privilege to drive required ignition interlock and/or up to four years in prison. If you have been accused of DUI there is a defense that can be established to negate the possibility of a conviction. You must be able to challenge the initial stop because police must have reasonable suspicion before pulling you over. If the police violated this requirement then any evidence, the DUI can often be suppressed, leading to the case being dropped. Don’t wait, call an Ellicott City DUI/DWI lawyer to come to your defense.

Drug Charges

When facing drug charges there are many different offenses that fall under that category, including possession, distribution, prescription drugs and paraphernalia possession. The type of drugs and the amount you are arrested with can determine what charge you will be facing. If the substance falls under the Schedule 1 or 2 charge, which includes heroin, cocaine, crack, LSD, methamphetamine, and ecstasy, the penalty can be increased drastically. If it is determined that you were in possession with intent to distribute or manufacture the sentence will often be more severe than plain and simple possession. There are many factors that go into drug charges, an Ellicott City attorney can help guide you through the process.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a serious offense and affects both parties severely. If you have been charged or accused of domestic violence, it can greatly affect your everyday activities. Many times, the courts will issue protective orders in order to try to prevent further disputes between the parties. These protective orders are likely to restrict family and home access. However, if you have been a victim of domestic violence, protective orders are often necessary. Either way having legal representation can help to get your life back to normal. If you have been involved in domestic violence dispute call Rice, Murtha & Psoras to assist in the following procedures.

If You Were Arrested in Ellicott City, MD, Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help

When you are arrested or charged with a crime, it is a frightening experience that can raise multitudes of questions. When consulting with an Ellicott City criminal lawyer, we can answer all of your questions can immediately start working to obtain a favorable outcome for you.