Criminal Lawyer Frederick MD
For 50+ years the Frederick MD criminal lawyer team at Greenberg Law Offices has helped people accused of various crimes. We offer winning strategies for good people who just found themselves in a less-than-desirable situation. We are honest and straightforward with the clients we represent, as we want you to have a transparent understanding of the current situation and what is to come. We always recommend getting legal support if you are facing charges for a crime, as a guilty conviction can change the course of your life for years to come.
As a prospective client, we want you to know that we are here to help. So during a consultation with us, it is crucial that you are forthcoming and answer truthfully when it comes to your case and what happened. Lawyers are bound by confidentiality laws, and are not permitted to discuss the inner nature of your case with anyone but you. We also believe that everyone is capable of making mistakes, and deserves a fair due process. You can trust that we are truly on your side.
Is It a Good Idea to Represent Yourself?
If you’ve been charged with criminal wrongdoing, it’s critically important that you speak with a skilled Frederick, MD criminal lawyer at Greenberg Law Offices immediately. You may have legitimate concerns about your ability to stretch your budget to accommodate legal fees. However, having a criminal record will do far more damage to your finances in the long-run than a temporary legal bill could.
Individuals who have criminal records historically have a difficult time securing housing, financing, employment, and even volunteer opportunities. If they’re required to serve a term of imprisonment, they usually lose their jobs and may lose their homes, cars, and other property because they’ve stopped generating income and are no longer able to pay their bills.
Regardless of whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, don’t risk your future by foregoing the assistance of an experienced Frederick criminal lawyer. There is simply too much at stake for you to navigate the complexities and biases of the criminal justice system without a skilled advocate aggressively fighting for your rights at every step along the way.
How Are Misdemeanors and Felonies Different?
In most states, criminal offenses are categorized as either misdemeanors or felonies. The primary question that distinguishes a misdemeanor and a felony is whether any given offense in question is punishable by more than one year in jail.
Misdemeanors are any offenses that are punishable by a maximum of 364 or 365 days in jail, depending on the state. This isn’t to say that every misdemeanor has a maximum penalty of up to a year in jail. Some misdemeanor convictions only carry a maximum penalty of a few days, weeks, or months in jail. Instead, misdemeanors are simply criminal offenses that are not punishable by more than one year in jail.
Felonies, on the other hand, are potentially punishable by a term of imprisonment that exceeds one year. Sentences for felonies are generally served in prisons, not jails. These criminal offenses are generally considered to be more egregious than offenses classified as misdemeanors.
How Are Misdemeanors And Felonies Different Infographic
What About Civil Liability?
If you’ve been accused of causing someone physical harm, they may file legal action against you in civil court, regardless of whether you’re ultimately charged and/or convicted in criminal court. In the U.S., the civil justice system and criminal justice systems are distinct, so you may not be able to avoid civil liability even if you are acquitted of criminal charges or the charges against you are dropped.
Should You Contact an Attorney if You Haven’t Been Arrested Yet?
If you have not yet been arrested but you either know or suspect that you’re being investigated for criminal wrongdoing, it’s important to connect with an experienced Frederick criminal lawyer at Greenberg Law Offices. The sooner we’re alerted to your need for legal guidance, the sooner we can begin advising you as to how to deal with your circumstances as effectively as possible.
Violent Crimes
A violent crime is one of the most serious accusations any person can face, as they are typically investigated by law enforcement with specialized units committed to uncovering evidence that supports their angle and allows an arrest to be made. If you are under scrutiny for any kind of violent offense, you must reach out to a Frederick criminal lawyer right away. Do not attempt to handle this alone. Examples of violent crimes that our team can assist with you include but are not limited to:
- First-degree assault
- Second-degree assault
- DUI/DWI
- Robbery and aggravated robbery
- Sexual assault
- Aggravated assault
- Carjacking
- Domestic violence
- Attempted murder
- Criminally negligent homicide
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Kidnapping or abduction
- Felony murder
- Gang crimes
Violent crimes in the state of Maryland cover a long list of acts, from robbery to assault, and more. The outcome of a violent crime conviction can carry a prolonged sentence of 10-20 years for the initial offense, and even longer for subsequent charges. Based on Maryland law, the severity of the repercussions for an offense depends on the nature and factors of the incident, in addition to the mandatory minimums and classifications associated with a conviction.
Greenberg Law Offices
If you were arrested for a criminal charge, you can depend on a Frederick criminal lawyer from our law office to help. Each case is different that comes along with a set of nuances that another case may not have. There may be well-intentioned family and friends trying to offer words of wisdom during this time, but at the end of the day, it’s best to have a legal team assess your case and give you correct counsel. We are aware that the judicial system likes to paint people as monsters and attempt to show their character in the worst light possible, but we’ll make sure the court views you as a real person with a future that is worth saving and living for. We hope you call a criminal lawyer at Greenberg Law Offices today.
Strategies for Criminal Defense
When you do find yourself accused of a crime, a prosecutor’s role is to deliver consequences of that crime, and therefore your defense attorney’s role is crucial in order for you to have legal guidance and representation pursuing your best interests. A Fredrick, MD criminal lawyer will search and evaluate all legal routes and options so that you can work towards the most promising resolution together. Should you ultimately choose to admit to committing a crime, an attorney can help you work through a plea agreement if you’re trying to avoid jail time. Or, you may have been wrongly accused, and you want to prove your innocence. In that event, Greenberg Law Offices will work to their fullest extent to build your case long before your actual court date. Whether it’s from mistaken identity, terrible police work, etc. we want to make sure your constitutional rights are completely recognized and you have every opportunity to see that this misunderstanding is corrected. There are countless defense strategies and a Frederick criminal lawyer will fight to maintain your reputation.
When You Want to Admit Wrongdoing
When you want to admit to breaking the law, it is still imperative that you have proper legal representation. A criminal lawyer can help you fight charges even after your arrest in order to minimize your sentence. You need a defense attorney to protect your rights while police investigate the crime, and they can assess law enforcement’s conduct. Even in the terms of pleading guilty, you want to make sure the law morally carries out the rest of the process, and your representation will make sure no legal limits are breached. An attorney will also help keep you from providing incriminating evidence against yourself. An attorney can also help you thoroughly understand the charges you are facing, the strength of evidence against you, and estimating what sentences you’ll receive if found guilty. Giving admission to crime does not mean a simple legal process afterwards. You still need a professional to help you weigh the real options in front of your to move forward with your life.
You Can Save Money Hiring an Attorney
At first it’s hard to understand why legal representation is a financially smart decision, hiring a lawyer is truly what’s best for you in the very end of it all. They can absolutely help you receive the best possible sentencing for your case, which could help keep your employment or professional license. If you lose your license, how many years of sustainable income are you also losing? Regardless of whether you get fired, missing work for jail time may initiate some financial stress in your life. Regardless of how much you may choose too cooperate with the law, there is no telling how harsh the consequences may be – in certain cases, sentences will end up far outweighing the nature of the crime committed, because the defense was not properly represented. You deserve to understand upfront what is legally fair and unfair leading up to, during, and after a trial. Hiring a passionate Frederick criminal lawyer in your area will lead you to the best financial security in the future.