Prince George’s County Carjacking Lawyer

Carjacking charges have many nuances that differentiate them from other theft charges. A conviction on carjacking charges can lead to serious legal penalties and other long-lasting consequences.

By speaking with a Prince George’s County carjacking lawyer, you could potentially help your case. Consult with a talented theft attorney as soon as possible to help defend your reputation.

Differences Between Carjacking, Auto Theft, and Joyriding

Maryland law distinguishes between three different types of auto theft. Since carjacking is a separate offense, other theft charges could be added to the carjacking charge and sentenced separately. Carjacking, itself, is defined as the taking of a vehicle without permission by using force or the threat of force with the intent to deprive the other person of the use of the vehicle. Carjacking is different from auto theft in that carjacking requires a vehicle to be occupied.

A person could also face joyriding charges, depending on what they intended to do with the vehicle after obtaining it. A knowledgeable attorney could help to explain the requirements and differences for each offense to make sure the defendant has been properly charged in the state of Maryland.

Necessary Evidence for Conviction

For a person to be convicted of a carjacking charge, the prosecutor must prove that an individual took a vehicle by force or threat of force with the intent to deprive. In order to fight against these charges, a Prince George’s County carjacking lawyer may want to conduct an independent investigation and obtain their own evidence. This could include anything that is related to the case and helps the accused, such as witness statements, video surveillance, photographs, and any other relevant evidence.

Preparing a Defense

The potential jail time for a felony carjacking conviction is 30 years, so preparing a strong defense is imperative. A driven attorney could craft a defense strategy that could help curtail the weight of such charges. Defendants with prior convictions could be sentenced more harshly, making an attorney Although prior convictions do not impact a person’s charged with carjacking, the defendant could receive more severe sentencing if there is a prior criminal record.

The defense strategies used by a Prince George’s County carjacking lawyer could vary based on the information available. Certain strategies could potentially mitigate the charges or reduce them to a lesser offense, such as theft, instead of the carjacking charge. A dedicated defense lawyer could also help with potential probation or reduced sentencing options in Prince George’s County, as an alternative to incarceration for a longer period of time.

Working with a Prince George’s County Carjacking Lawyer

The role that a criminal lawyer could play while working with a defendant charged with carjacking is to be their advocate in trial. An attorney could guide the accused through the process, file motions, present arguments, and do whatever needs to be done to obtain a positive outcome.

If you were charged with carjacking, do not risk appearing in court without qualified representation. With the help of a Prince George’s County carjacking lawyer, you could mount a credible defense against the charges you face. Call today to set up a consultation.