Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer

Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer

• Criminal Defense Lawyer Baltimore, MD
• What a Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You
• Choosing a Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer Over Defending Yourself
• Do Not Delay
• Criminal Court Proceedings
• Qualities to Look for in a Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Baltimore Criminal Defense Law Infographic
• Field Sobriety Test
• When Should You Hire a Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQs
• Contact Our Maryland Criminal Lawyer for Help
• Greenberg Law Office Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer Google Review
• Schedule a Free Consultation with Greenberg Law Office

Criminal Defense Lawyer Baltimore, MD

When you have been charged with some kind of crime, you want to ensure you have a criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD trusts your side. You want to know that you will have legal guidance and someone there to defend you. Being charged with a crime can mean the rest of your life is on a different path, even if you are not convicted of the crime and we want to help clear your name before a conviction can ruin the rest of your life. If you are interested in seeing how our defense attorneys can help you after an accusation, call our office now. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better off you will be.

If you’re facing criminal charges, a top criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD has to offer may be able to help with your legal situation. Greenberg Law Offices has a team of criminal attorneys who understand the precarious nature of such charges. Our legal team can work alongside you to help fight for your rights. Whether you have been arrested and charged or are facing charges against an alleged crime, one of our lawyers can speak with you during a free, no-obligation consultation. We have three Baltimore, Maryland offices to conveniently serve you.

What a Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You

The criminal defense lawyers at our firm have years of experience and vast legal knowledge and are able to understand the complexities of our legal system. If you’ve found yourself in legal trouble and charged with a crime, a criminal defense lawyer Baltimore, MD residents trust can help fight on your behalf. Throughout the entire process, an attorney from our legal firm can help guide you in the right direction while providing you with advice and support. In addition, a Baltimore criminal defense lawyer from Greenberg Law Offices may be able to provide you with some or all of the following services:

• Reduce the amount of your required bail
• Pay your bail so that you can be released from jail until other arrangements are made
• Arrange for the criminal charges against you to be reduced or dropped
• Explain the legal process as it pertains to your situation and what you may be facing
• Represent you in court proceedings as well as outside of court
• Offer legal guidance as to how or if you should respond to other attorneys, judges, and law enforcement officers
• Protect your legal rights

Choosing a Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer Over Defending Yourself

Technically, you can choose to defend yourself against any charge brought against you without the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer Baltimore, MD locals recommend. Unfortunately, if you don’t thoroughly understand the legal system, you might encounter negative consequences and larger financial losses in the long run. You’re also at risk of damaging your professional reputation. When you seek the assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD can provide, you can rest assured that your case is being handled by a qualified, knowledgeable legal representative. A highly experienced criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD from Greenberg Law Offices will likely review all of the evidence that has been brought against you. At the same time, he or she may gather information to build a strong case in your defense. Should your criminal case go to court, your lawyer will work hard to vigorously defend your charges, with the possibility of reducing or dropping them altogether.

Do Not Delay

If you have been charged with domestic violence, the first 48 hours after your arrest is critical for laying the groundwork for your defense. As your legal representative, a criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD from the Greenberg Law Offices can begin working on your case as soon as possible.

Criminal Court Proceedings

Not every case is the same, but generally speaking, there are four common phases for a domestic violence case. Your criminal defense lawyer Baltimore, MD locals recommend from the Greenberg Law Offices will develop a legal strategy that best protects your interests through all four phases. Here is a brief description of those phases:

• Arrest. When a law enforcement officer responds to a domestic violence call, in most cases, at least one of the persons at the scene will be arrested. It may not even be the person who called 911. The officers are expected to investigate the matter to determine who should be taken into custody. If you were arrested on domestic violence charges, you will likely be given the option of posting bail for release from custody. If you have not yet been released on bail, a criminal defense lawyer may be able to help arrange that.

• Pre-file. Your attorney should immediately make contact with the prosecutor before your case is filed with the court. If you don’t have an attorney, this process will be more complicated and your chances of a positive outcome may drop significantly.

• First court date. This is a hearing when the accused has the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty. Future court appearance dates are set. If there is a protective order request then this is when it is handled. If the defendant has not already bailed out of custody due to the bail amount or other issues, this can also be brought up.

• Trial. If charges against the defendant remain, there will likely be a trial. Your attorney from Greenberg Law Offices will make every reasonable effort to prevent you from having to go to trial.

An aggressive approach in a domestic violence case is the only way to obtain the best possible result. With punishments including jail or prison, long term and costly domestic violence classes, lifetime bans on owning or possessing firearms, and separating you from your family for years following a conviction, there is every reason to retain a qualified attorney as soon as possible. Our firm has a significant amount of experience in domestic violence cases. We have achieved a tremendous amount of success for our clients in preventing charges from being filed. Please contact our office today if you or a loved one has been arrested for domestic violence. The sooner we get involved, the better we may be able to protect you and your future. Learn more about What is Considered a Cybercrime?

Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer for Assistance

The faster your attorney can start building a defense against these charges, the better your chances of a positive outcome may be. If you have been arrested for a crime or are under investigation, contact a criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD trust from the Greenberg Law Offices immediately.

Qualities to Look for in a Criminal Defense Lawyer

After you get charged with a crime, one of the first things you should do is hire a criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD. However, with all the different lawyers out there, selecting the right one can be tricky. Here are a few important qualities to look for in your lawyer.

Specialized Experience

Not all criminal lawyers specialize in the same things. It’s important to work with a lawyer who has specialized experience handling the type of crime you’re charged with. For example, if you were charged with theft, you don’t want to hire a lawyer who only has experience handling DUI cases.

Negotiating Skills

Most criminal cases are settled out of court. There may be a good chance that your lawyer will suggest taking a plea deal instead of going to trial. That is why it is important to select a lawyer who has superb negotiating skills. He or she should be able to negotiate a fair plea bargain with the prosecutor that considers your best interests.

Accessibility

When you are dealing with something as serious as a criminal charge, you want to be able to get in touch with your criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD when you have a question or concern. If your lawyer takes days to respond to your messages, you may want to choose someone else who has time to give your case the attention it deserves.

Communicative

It’s also essential for a criminal lawyer to possess good communication skills. He or she should be able to argue your case in front of a jury and judge and get them to understand your side. Your lawyer should also be able to explain legal terms to you in the language you can understand.

Empathetic

Dealing with a criminal charge can be very stressful and emotional draining. That is why it’s critical to have a criminal lawyer who emphasizes your situation. He or she should understand that you’re going through a very difficult time and offer words of encouragement.

Approachable

When you hire a lawyer to represent you in a criminal case, it’s not enough for him or her to be knowledgeable and skilled. It is also important for a criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD to be approachable. You should feel comfortable enough to share intimate details about your case with your lawyer.

Baltimore Criminal Defense Law Infographic

Field Sobriety Test

A criminal lawyer is aware that a significant number of drivers lawfully refuse to provide a breath or blood sample during a DUI arrest, meaning that the field sobriety tests may be the state’s best evidence of intoxication in a great number of cases.

There are quite a few informal tests. Some drivers are asked to recite a portion of the alphabet, touch their noses with their fingertips, answer obscure trivia questions, and the list goes on. However, there are only three field tests approved by the National Transportation Safety Administration and a diligent criminal lawyer can poke holes in every one of them.

At Greenberg Law Offices, we have years of legal experience fighting for our clients in defending against drunk driving charges and know the issues that field sobriety test results can pose for a Maryland prosecutor.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

In this procedure, the testers ask the participants to follow a specific point with their eyes, typically a small flashlight beam, a fingertip, or pen, without moving their heads. During the test, the officer is looking for “clues,” or involuntary eye movements. If the participant exhibits at least four clues, there is a likelihood that the person’s BAC level is at least .08.

A major problem with this test is that it is only about 88 percent effective in controlled conditions and DUI arrests are not made in controlled conditions. Even in perfect weather conditions and during the day, the patrol car’s flashing lights, the passing traffic, and the suspect’s nervousness disrupt the testing process.

Walk and Turn

This “divided attention” test measures the suspects’ cognitive ability because they must follow instructions and count the number of steps as they walk heel to toe.

Officers are instructed to allow women to remove high-heeled shoes and find a level, smooth, and well-lit place to conduct the test. Sometimes the officers follow these procedures, and sometimes they do not.

Many people are asked to walk an imaginary line, as opposed to a parking lot stripe or other visible line. It is much more difficult to walk an imaginary line while maintaining one’s concentration.

Officers are looking for eight signs of impairment:

1. Inability to maintain balance while receiving instructions;
2. Beginning to walk before the instructions are finished;
3. Stopping during the test to regain balance;
4. Failing to touch heel to toe;
5. Straying off the line;
6. Using the arms to maintain balance;
7. Making a sloppy turn; and
8. Taking the wrong number of steps.

Research indicates that 79 percent of people with two or more indicators are legally intoxicated. That percentage is hardly an overwhelming number.

One Leg Stand

This test measures physical ability, as the suspects are asked to stand with one leg elevated for 30 seconds. The officers are looking for four indicators:

1. Swaying while standing;
2. Using arms for balance;
3. Hopping to maintain balance; and
4. Prematurely placing the elevated foot down.

Once again, the officers are looking for two or more indicators to indicate suspicion of DUI. This test suffers from many of the same shortcomings as the walk and turn.

When Should You Hire a Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been arrested, it may be crucial to speak to a criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD offers as soon as possible. Mainly, this is to ensure that you don’t miss important deadlines that can seriously hurt your case if you miss them. In general, the legal process may initially be very fast-paced and require you to attend an arraignment proceeding. During this time, you will likely listen to a judge discuss your case and the charges brought against you. At that point, you may have the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty. This will largely depend on the legal advice you receive from a criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD provides.

Attending the arraignment without legal support from a qualified attorney is typically unadvisable; you may risk making irrational decisions, and errors or experiencing legal confusion simply because you don’t know what to say or how to say it. A criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD citizens trust may be able to help avoid these potential pitfalls and speak on your behalf. He or she may also arrange a meeting with the judge or prosecutor to further discuss solutions that might be more beneficial to you. Your attorney can begin to develop a legal strategy after a careful review of your situation and the events that led up to it. In advance of meeting with an attorney, it is usually advantageous to collect the following and bring them to your initial consultation if possible:

• Any and all paperwork related to your case, including a copy of the police report.
• Your driver’s license, passport, military identification, or other legal documents proves your identity.
• Notes or a written account in your own words of the events before, during, and after the event that led to your arrest.
• Contact information that you may have for anyone else involved in your case, including witnesses, character references, victims, etc.
• Financial information for making any necessary payments for court costs, lawyers’ fees, etc. Your attorney can explain in more detail what will be needed which will depend on the circumstances of your case.
• Physician or medical provider contact information if you were injured in the incident that led to your criminal charges.
• Medical records may also be necessary at some point to establish the extent of your injuries.

Receiving Additional Support From Your Lawyer

It’s common for people to feel emotional and vulnerable after being charged with a crime. This is especially true for those who have never been in this situation before or are charged with a crime. These feelings may become further heightened if you’re not sure what’s going to happen to you or your loved ones. A criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD respects can help fight for you, while also providing you with emotional support. Professional legal guidance from a skilled attorney can be extremely beneficial in many different ways. This alone can help make a positive impact on your confidence and the way you handle yourself in court. Our attorneys at Greenberg Law Offices want to do everything possible to ensure that your case is resolved with the best possible outcome.

Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQs

I need to be questioned by the police. What will that be like? 

Unfortunately, police can be quite difficult when it comes to questioning people about crimes. They want to find the person who is responsible for the alleged crime and that may mean pretending to be nice to you during questioning or badgering you with questions until you answer them. Their goal is not to help you but to get to the bottom of the crime and they will use anything you say against you or as evidence.

How do I tell them I want to remain silent? 

Our attorneys know that one of the best things you can do when you are arrested or being questioned by police is to exercise your right to remain silent. While you should confirm your identity with the police, you are not obligated to speak with them until you have an attorney present and we highly recommend you wait until speaking with us.

What if the police officers do not read me my Miranda rights? 

A police officer does not have to read you your Miranda rights. That said, anything you say can be thrown out if they attempt to use it as evidence for their case. If the police officers do not read you your Miranda rights, make sure you tell your attorney as soon as possible.

Why should I use an attorney? Can I represent myself? 

Representing yourself when it comes to criminal matters is one of the worst things you can do. Even attorneys choose to hire other attorneys because they are only qualified in certain areas of the law. Additionally, your attorney will be able to look at your case objectively and understand what kinds of experts will be needed and who you should bring in to testify.

Do You Know What to Do if You Are Arrested?

When an individual is placed under arrest by a law enforcement officer, it is imperative they understand their rights, as well as what the prosecutor is allowed and not allowed to do. For example, a prosecutor does not have to bring charges against the individual immediately following the arrest; however, if an unreasonable amount of time goes by, that could be considered a violation of the accused’s Constitutional rights. A criminal defense lawyer will know when the prosecutor may be pushing the detention time beyond what is considered legal.

Under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, there must be probable cause on the part of the police officer to make the arrest. When a defendant is finally arraigned on the charges in front of a judge, the judge will determine if there was enough probable cause to make the arrest and if the arrest was lawful. The judge will also want to know how many times the defendant was read their Miranda rights while they were detained.

Miranda rights, also referred to as a Miranda warning, is the notice given to a person who is suspected of a crime and arrested. This warning states that the person has a legal right to remain silent and that any statements they do make could be used against them if they are prosecuted. During the arraignment, if a judge finds the defendant was not given their Miranda rights, or if the defendant was only given the warning once and then held for several days without any formal charges being filed by the prosecutor, he or she could determine that the arrest was unlawful.

What Not to Do if Arrested?

Police do not need the warrant to arrest someone. All they need by law is probable cause. Every criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, Maryland might advise a person who is suspected of a crime — whether they have actually been arrested yet or not — not to provide any statement to police or prosecutors other than their name, age, and address. Do not disobey the police officer, even if you think you have done nothing wrong. And if police end up arresting you anyway, never resist arrest. Any belligerency towards law enforcement could end up with even more charges filed against you.

Will you go to jail for a domestic violence conviction?

If you have been charged with a criminal offense, contact the Greenberg Law Offices to speak with a criminal defense lawyer who Baltimore, Maryland residents can trust to protect their rights. A Baltimore criminal defense lawyer from our firm can be at your side making sure that you are not navigating the legal justice system alone.

The Greenberg Law Offices can provide you with a criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD community members have turned to for legal guidance for decades. Domestic violence charges are serious. A public defender is not likely to dedicate the required time to your case to protect your best interests. At the Greenberg Law Offices, we keep our caseload sizes manageable in order to focus on our clients and give them the attention they deserve. Call us today to request a free consultation with one of our criminal defense lawyers to find out how we can help you.

Contact Our Maryland Criminal Lawyer for Help

A criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD residents recommend can use of faults in the testing procedure to attack the results of the field tests and create reasonable doubt. Call for a free consultation on this matter, and contact an experienced Maryland criminal lawyer from Greenberg Law Offices today.

One of the most frightening experiences a person can have is being arrested, especially if they have no experience at all with the criminal justice system and did not commit the crime they are being accused of. Tragically, this happens far too often than the public thinks. This is why it is critical for people to know what they need to do if they find themselves in this situation.

At the Greenberg Law Offices, we have been fighting for individuals charged with criminal offenses for more than 50. We know that when someone doesn’t understand the arrest process when they’re charged with a crime, it can result in even more problems.

Greenberg Law Office Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer

6 E. Biddle Street, Baltimore, MD 21202-2702

Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer Google Review

“Had a consultation with Mr. Greenberg and was very impressed. He was extremely professional, and knowledgeable, responded quickly, and had fair prices in line with his experience. I would sincerely suggest his services if you have a legal matter in the Baltimore area!” – Andrew S.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Greenberg Law Office

If you’ve been accused of a crime, it is your right to remain silent when questioned by law enforcement agents or officers. If you choose to take the fifth amendment in this way, you also are not required to speak to anyone until after you have contacted a criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore, MD defendants recommend. Moreover, you are not obligated to plead guilty or settle for a plea-bargained sentence. No matter what kind of criminal charges you are facing, Greenberg Law Firm may be able to help you. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer Baltimore, MD residents rely on, call us today at 410-844-4854.