Being arrested or accused of a crime can be very scary. It’s easy to feel like the system is against you and that everyone in it is out to get you.
Criminal convictions come with many consequences, including fines and jail time. But they also impact your life in other ways, from making it difficult to find a job to jeopardizing your relationships with family and friends.
Experience
Regardless of whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, an experienced Maryland criminal lawyer could help. A conviction of any kind can produce far-reaching ramifications and deprive you of your liberty, livelihood and reputation. With such serious consequences at stake, an aggressive legal defense is essential.
The government has extensive resources at its disposal, and prosecutors are committed to obtaining convictions. A Maryland student defense attorney would examine every detail of your case and enlist any available legal resource to craft a powerful legal defense.
The best Maryland criminal defense lawyers will have extensive experience defending clients against state and federal charges, including white-collar crime, violent crimes, drug offenses, and DUI charges. They will have a deep familiarity with local Judges and know how to get the most out of each legal resource at their disposal. They will also be familiar with various [specialty] courts that might be able to divert your case away from traditional prosecution.
Knowledge of the Law
Getting arrested and charged with a crime can be an extremely scary experience. Whether the offense is a misdemeanor or felony, it can have serious consequences on your life. Criminal charges can impact your career, damage your reputation and harm family relationships.
A good Maryland criminal defense lawyer knows the law and is familiar with the nuances of state and federal courts. They will be able to quickly build a strong case for you and work aggressively to get key pieces of evidence thrown out of court.
Ask any potential Maryland criminal attorney how many cases like yours they’ve handled and what the outcomes were. Also, find out if they have had any malpractice claims or disciplinary issues filed against them by the Attorney Grievance Commission. These are all important factors to consider when choosing a criminal attorney. Every case is unique and has its own set of facts. Some cases require more attention to detail than others.
Access to Resources
The criminal justice system can be intimidating, especially when you are facing serious charges. Experienced Maryland criminal lawyers can help you navigate the process and protect your rights. They may be able to get charges dismissed, explore plea bargain options, or fight your case at trial. They can also challenge pseudoscientific evidence and other legal requirements that might affect your sentence.
They may also have a better understanding of local Judges, which can be crucial for your case’s outcome. They may even know of specialized courts like a drug court or veteran’s court that could divert your case from traditional prosecution.
If you can’t afford a private lawyer, there are free and low-cost legal programs available in Maryland. You can find one by calling 2-1-1 or visiting the court self-help centers to learn more about your options and see what resources are available. You can also contact PBRC to get connected with volunteer lawyers who serve low-income people in need of legal help.
Personal Representation
When a person is arrested or summoned to court on state-level charges, it can feel as if they’re being singled out for unfair treatment. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced Maryland criminal defense lawyer in your corner, fighting for you and protecting your rights to due process.
A skilled defense attorney can use a number of legal strategies to protect their client’s freedom and minimize the potential consequences of conviction. For example, they may challenge the validity of evidence collected by law enforcement, or a judge’s order to hold a defendant without bail.
When choosing a Maryland criminal defense lawyer, ask how many cases they have handled in the county where your case is being heard and what kind of cases they’ve worked on. If they can’t answer these questions honestly, you should move on. A good lawyer will be proud to share their work history and experience with prospective clients. They should also be willing to explain any limitations in their casework.
