If you have been arrested, charged with a crime, or have someone in your family who is in trouble with the law it can feel like your life is over. The consequences of having a criminal conviction can affect your ability to get a job, maintain a security clearance, drive a car, and affect your life in a number of important ways even before considering the prospects of going to prison.
A criminal attorney can provide you with straightforward answers to your questions and help you understand that your situation, and your options, may be better than you think. An attorney looking at your case objectively can help you understand the evidence against you, the defenses you might raise, and the prospects of handling the case in ways outside of a trial. If the charges are dismissed or you are found not guilty, an attorney can help you expunge your records to limit the effect of the arrest on your life and public record.
Driving While Intoxicated/ Driving Under the Influence
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are extremely serious offenses in the state of Maryland that can result in large fines, increased insurance rates, lost driving license, and jail time. In addition to the criminal hearing there is often a second, administrative hearing through the Department of Motor Vehicles to determine if your license should be restricted, suspended, or revoked. It is important to seek legal counsel in handling bothe the criminal and administrative hearings as the outcome of one hearing can affect the outcome in the second hearing.
Traffic Offenses
Conviction of traffic offenses for moving violations can result in large fines, increased insurance rates, lost driving license, and potentially, jail time. Because of the seriousness of the consequences it can be important to have an attorney evaluate your defenses and interview the police officer and other witnesses to determine if the prosecutor can prove you are guilty of the tickets given to you by the police officer. An attorney can help you negotiate to have the charges dismissed, reduced, or help you pursue a not guilty verdict at trial.
Assault
A statutory assault and battery in Maryland is the “impermissible, offensive touching of another individual” regardless of whether that touching is a small push or a serious attack with a weapon. Common law assault included simply putting someone in fear that they would be attacked. In addition to jail, because of the violent nature of these charges, a conviction can have serious ramifications for someone’s ability to obtain security clearances or otherwise find employment.
Theft
Theft is the unauthorized taking and carrying away of another’s property. Maryland has two main categories of theft, under and over $500.00, the lesser being a misdemeanor and the latter a felony, although there are other categories of theft such as fraud and credit misappropriation. As with an assault, in addition to jail, because of the nature of these charges, a conviction can have serious ramifications for someone’s ability to obtain security clearances or otherwise find employment.
