Saint Mary’s County Criminal Lawyer

Few things are as stressful as finding yourself under arrest. If you have recently been accused of a crime in Maryland, you are likely feeling anxious about what the future holds and concerned about your legal rights. Choosing the right criminal lawyer can mean protecting your record, staying out of jail, keeping your job, staying in this country and even preventing future loss of income. By aggressively defending clients, Saint Mary’s County criminal lawyers ensure the best course forward possible. Avoiding unfair penalties is the ultimate goal. If you or someone you love has been arrested on criminal charges, contact a skilled criminal lawyer as soon as possible.

Comprehensive Investigation

When a person is arrested, the police will conduct a thorough investigation to ensure they know all the details related to the criminal activity in question. Often, they collect evidence and interview witnesses. Unfortunately, though, such witnesses can be easily swayed by badgering and evidence can be illegally obtained. By conducting a second investigation and review of the police work, a Saint Mary’s County criminal lawyer can help spot inconsistencies in the case against their client.

Criminal Penalties in Maryland

Facing criminal charges in the state of Maryland can result in severe penalties, depending upon the crime. It is of critical importance that a person’s criminal record stay as clean as possible for their future career. Professional drivers need clean driving records, and a DUI can disqualify a person from a driving job. Even outside of employment, a person with a criminal background may face challenges and be denied opportunities.

Managers of apartment complexes often require a background check and may deny those with a criminal history a place to live. In some cases, someone may even be denied bank loans, student loans and certain types of government assistance. Even fighting for custody becomes an uphill battle for those with criminal backgrounds.

Maryland criminal penalties go far beyond just adding to a person’s criminal history. Jail time and expensive fines are real possibilities for those convicted of crimes. In general, crimes are categorized as either misdemeanors or felonies. The less serious of the two, misdemeanors, carries penalties of up to one year in prison. Felonies, on the other hand, are more serious and sentences can include prison time of more than one year.

Help from an Attorney

In many cases, a lawyer can argue for a piece of evidence to be stricken from the record if illegally collected and point out bias in the official police investigation. Building the strongest defense possible requires in-depth analysis and legal savvy. An experienced, skilled attorney can be the best advocate possible in and out of the courtroom. As a criminal defendant, it can feel like you have nobody on your side. You may feel overwhelmed and intimidated by the criminal justice system. It does not have to be this way. With the help of a Saint Mary’s County criminal lawyer, you can rest easy knowing you have an ally in your corner.