Harford Criminal Defense Lawyers

Have the police arrested you in Harford, MD, or do you suspect you’re under investigation? If so, it’s time to call a criminal lawyer from Greenberg Law Offices.

Our law firm has represented residents in Harford and across Maryland since 1966, and we can guide you through the legal process. As skilled negotiators and litigators with over 60 years of combined experience, we approach every case as if it’s headed to trial. Our Harford criminal defense lawyers will take the time to meet you and your family, as we know your case impacts all of you.

The sooner you contact us, the more we can do for you. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.

How a Criminal Attorney in Harford Can Help You

It’s best to contact a Harford criminal defense attorney as soon as the police take you into custody or you know you’re under investigation. If you’re already in custody, your lawyer can negotiate to get you released on bond while your case plays out, meaning you don’t have to sit in jail. If you’re under investigation, your attorney can explain what to do when the police arrive or arrange for you to turn yourself in under more controlled circumstances. (Remember, being arrested doesn’t mean you’re guilty.)

Having a lawyer by your side becomes even more important once you’re in police custody. The police or prosecutors may pressure you into confessing or accepting a plea agreement in exchange for a reduced sentence, but a lawyer can guard your rights during these interactions and review any offers you receive. A Harford criminal lawyer who also handles cases across Maryland can also protect you from abusive or illegal tactics when you speak with the police or prosecutors.

After the initial stages of your case, your lawyer can investigate your situation and review the available evidence. If there are any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, your defense attorney can argue for reduced or dismissed charges. Your lawyer also can challenge any evidence obtained through an illegal search, which might lead the prosecution to drop your case or reduce your charges.

Finally, you need a lawyer if your case goes to trial. Criminal trials involve strict rules and procedures, and a mistake at any stage could have dire consequences. Your lawyer can present evidence and witnesses on your behalf, challenge the prosecution’s evidence and witnesses, and uphold your rights as a defendant. In the event of a guilty verdict, Greenberg Law Offices can argue for lower penalties or file an appeal with the higher courts in Maryland.

Why You Need a Lawyer When Facing Criminal Charges

Make no mistake, when you face criminal charges in Harford or anywhere in Maryland, you’re the underdog. The state and federal governments have massive resources to fight these cases and don’t like to lose. You can and should expect the police and prosecutors to use every weapon they have to convict you or get you to accept a plea bargain.

Without support from a Harford criminal defense lawyer who serves all of Maryland, you must handle all the legal work in your case on your own. Those steps include everything from investigating the alleged crime and looking for exonerating evidence to submitting legal forms and arguing in court. You’re much better off taking advantage of a defense attorney’s knowledge, experience, and neutral perspective.

Types of Criminal Cases We Handle

The Harford defense lawyers at Greenberg Law Offices have extensive experience with many criminal cases. Some common cases we handle include the following:

What Steps You Should Take If You Have Been Arrested

An arrest is not the end of your criminal case, and it doesn’t guarantee a conviction. In truth, getting arrested is the midpoint of your case, and your actions during and after an arrest greatly affect your case’s outcome.

By following these steps, you can protect your rights and avoid making your situation worse:

• Don’t Resist Arrest – Refrain from fighting with the police or insulting them. You’ll only make your situation worse if you do. However, if you believe the police violated your rights during your arrest, remember the details so you can share them with your attorney.
• Don’t Destroy Evidence – Destroying or attempting to destroy evidence is a crime and could lead to increased penalties or additional charges. Let your lawyer investigate and see if it’s possible to dismiss critical evidence.
• Stay Silent – Don’t say anything to the police other than to ask for a lawyer. Even if you know you didn’t commit a crime, your statements could still hurt your case if the police or prosecutors take them out of context. Remember, you have the right to remain silent, so use it.
• Don’t Contact Any Alleged Victims – If your alleged crime involves a specific victim, do not contact them under any circumstances. Doing so could lead to additional criminal penalties and further complicate your case.
• Don’t Sign Anything – Never sign any documents from the police or prosecutors without having a lawyer review them first. You might agree to something you don’t fully understand or accept a plea deal when there might be better options for your defense.
• Contact a Harford Criminal Defense Lawyer Immediately – An experienced defense attorney from Greenberg Law Offices is your best ally in your fight to protect your freedom and reputation. The sooner you call a lawyer, the greater your chances of avoiding the worst outcome in your case.

Penalties You Could Face for Criminal Convictions in Harford

The specific penalties you could face for a criminal conviction depend on your charges, prior criminal history (if any), your attorney, and other factors. Some possible penalties you could face include the following:

• Jail/Prison Time – Mandatory time in jail or prison is a penalty in many Harford criminal cases. Your incarceration could last anywhere from a day or two to years or the rest of your life, depending on the specific charge you face.
• Fines – Heavy fines are another penalty governments impose to deter criminal activity. Your fines could be anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the number and type of charges you face.
• Driver’s License Suspension – A driver’s license suspension is a common penalty in DUI cases and other charges related to driving a car (such as speeding or reckless driving). Most people rely on their own vehicle to get to work and attend social functions, so losing your license can severely complicate your life.
• Sex Offender Registration – You may have to register as a sexual offender if you’re convicted of certain sex crimes, particularly if your charges involve alleged sexual acts with minors. Registered sex offenders can’t live or even go near certain areas (such as schools), and they can’t work in many industries. Having to register as a sexual offender also carries significant social stigma.
• Loss of Your Civil Rights – You can’t vote while serving a jail or prison sentence in Maryland. You can re-register to vote once you complete your sentence, but a criminal conviction can also affect your gun rights and other civil rights.
• Loss of Your Job – Many employers refuse to hire people with criminal convictions on their record, particularly if you’re convicted of violent crimes or sex charges.
• Loss of Your Reputation – Finally, being convicted of a crime can affect your standing in your local community. The effect on your reputation after a conviction often depends on the charge, but your friends and family may not want to see or talk to you if they believe you committed a crime.

Potential Defenses to Charges You Are Facing

The best defense strategy depends on the charges you face and the available evidence. However, some options a criminal defense attorney from Greenberg Law Offices might explore include the following:

• Mistaken Identity – Police sometimes make mistakes in their investigations and arrest the wrong person. This often happens when the police rely on video footage or eyewitness accounts, as blurry footage or unreliable witness testimony can lead the police to suspect the wrong person.
• Alibi – An alibi is evidence that you were somewhere else when an alleged crime occurred. For example, if video footage and witness accounts show you were not at the crime scene, the prosecution may drop their case against you.
• Self-Defense – If you’re accused of homicide, assault, or other violent crimes, you may be able to claim you acted in self-defense. For this defense to apply, you must show that you genuinely feared harm and responded with appropriate force.
• Lack of Intent – Many crimes, particularly property crimes, require the prosecution to show your intent to commit a crime. You can undermine their case if you show you lacked this intent. For example, if you’re accused of stealing something, you could argue that the alleged victim gave you permission to take it.
• Challenging Evidence from an Illegal Search – The police and prosecutors must follow strict rules when collecting and storing evidence. If the police conducted an unconstitutional search or made a mistake when handling the evidence, your lawyer can argue for it to be dismissed, which could lead to reduced or dismissed charges.

Contact a Harford Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Greenberg Law Offices has represented residents of Harford and the entire state of Maryland for three generations. We have the experience you need to fight to defend your reputation, freedom, and future from the most severe consequences of an arrest or conviction. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation and case evaluation with a knowledgeable Harford criminal defense lawyer.