If you are served a warrant for your arrest in Baltimore, you need a good criminal defense attorney to help you. While you will be offered a court appointed public defender, if you can afford to hire a private criminal defense attorney, then do yourself a favor and do so. Although public defenders do an excellent job with the resources they have available, you will be only one of many, many clients of an attorney who is underpaid, overwhelmed and overworked. Simply put, public defenders should be the lawyer of last resort for individuals who are charged with a crime.
Understanding Your Charges – Misdemeanors
Crimes fall into two categories – misdemeanor and felony crimes. Every state regulates which crimes fall into each category and the penalties for each type of crime. Misdemeanors are usually considered less serious than felony charges, but are still serious all the same. By no means should you ignore being charged with a crime just because it is a misdemeanor, since failure to resolve misdemeanor charges can result in even further legal difficulties. In Maryland, crimes classified as misdemeanors include, but are not limited to, DUI (drinking and driving), reckless driving, petty theft, prostitution, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and trespassing. Penalties for misdemeanor charges usually include a fine and possible jail time of up to one year. Other penalties can include mandatory classes, loss of driver’s license or community service.
- If you have been charged with a Crime, Submit your Case for a Free Review from a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Baltimore. This website is for informational purposes only, and nothing stated here should be taken as legal advice.
Understanding Your Charges – Felonies
Felonies are much more serious than misdemeanors and the punishments for felony convictions are substantially more severe. Instead of a relatively small fine or community service that can be handed out with a misdemeanor conviction, felonies usually involve mandatory prison time that can range from more than one year to an entire lifetime and may also include probation and substantial fines. In addition, conviction of a felony in the State of Maryland can result in loss of the ability to purchase or own a gun, and the loss of the ability to hold public office and other penalties.
Choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney
When looking for a criminal defense attorney, you want a lawyer who will give you the best defense possible. One of the elements that determines how well an attorney is able to do this is their level of experience and knowledge of criminal law, particularly relating to the charges that have been levied against you. Many criminal defense attorneys start out as prosecutors. They learn the details of how the criminal courts work and have substantial and specific knowledge about what judges are looking for in a criminal defense and how juries react to defendants. This is the kind of knowledge and experience you need to defend yourself.
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