Frederick Criminal Attorney
When faced with criminal allegations in Maryland, it is imperative that you seek the help of a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense lawyer to minimize the potentially life-altering penalties that can accompany a criminal conviction. Whether you are facing charges for a simple misdemeanor or a serious felony, a criminal attorney with extensive courtroom experience is an asset in protecting your rights. Having a proficient Frederick criminal lawyer advocating on your behalf can help you through every step of the legal process.
Understanding the complex laws surrounding Maryland crimes and the associated consequences allows your Frederick criminal attorney to rigorously defend your case to help you avoid unnecessary and harsh penalties.
Criminal Defense for Frederick Misdemeanors and Felonies
Crimes in Frederick are broken down into two major classifications: misdemeanor and felony offenses. Misdemeanors are commonly viewed as lesser infractions when compared to felony offenses. While many states adhere to a standard rule whereby a misdemeanor is any offense for which the term of incarceration is no more than 12 months, Maryland differs in this distinction. Maryland does not place such a maximum on its misdemeanors, but rather penalizes some such crimes with potential jail terms of up to 10 years. The accompanying fine for such offenses can be as high as $5,000 or as low as $500, depending upon the severity of the charges.
Because of the nature of felony offenses and their impact upon public safety and well-being, they are often more heavily penalized than misdemeanors. In terms of incarceration, a lesser felony may incur a sentence of one year or more in prison, while the most heinous of felony offenses may result in life imprisonment. Accompanying fines can range anywhere from $500 to $1,000,000.
In addition to fines and incarceration, the state may impose additional penalties as well, including mandatory community service, probation, license suspension, and more. An experienced Frederick criminal lawyer can help you understand the charged you face and the potential penalties.
Frederick Criminal Lawyers Fight For Your Constitutional Rights
In the United States, all citizens have certain rights, and that applies to those individuals who are charged with crimes as well. You have probably heard the terms “Miranda rights” and “the right to remain silent,” but what do these things really mean? Miranda rights, also known as the “Miranda warning,” is a concept to be conveyed by law enforcement at the time of arrest to make a suspect aware of his or her Fifth Amendment right by which he or she may refuse to provide explanations or answers to questioning that may be self-incriminating, among other constitutional rights.
Over the course of the legal process, a Frederick criminal attorney will work to ensure that his or her client’s rights have been and will continue to be upheld every step of the way – from the arrest, to the interrogation, to the courtroom, and beyond. These rights include, but are not limited to:
- The right to remain silent
- The right to refrain from testifying against oneself
- The right to an attorney
- The right to avoid unreasonable search and seizure
- The right to a speedy trial
- The right to cross-examination
- The right to an appeal
An attorney with vast criminal defense experience should be able to review case details to determine if procedural missteps on the part of law enforcement or some other entity have occurred. These failures can result in exclusion of evidence or a dismissed case, helping clients get back to their lives.
A Frederick Criminal Lawyer Can Help
If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, are under criminal investigation, or are being questioned regarding criminal activity, do not hesitate to contact an attorney for professional legal counsel and invaluable defense. You have the right to choose your own attorney. Contact the law office of Seth Okin to consult with an experienced Frederick criminal lawyer who is able to provide you with an effective legal defense.
Frederick Crime Statistics
The Frederick Sheriff’s Department provides an annual report that reveals details about the divisions of the office and crime statistics for each year. The year 2012 saw 1,640 reported cases of type 1 offenses. These are serious offenses including rape, homicide (of which there were none reported for 2012), assaults, burglary, breaking and entering, and other such crimes. Out of these cases, more than 490 of the charges were dropped or cleared, but 296 adults and 72 juveniles were arrested for these offenses.
The more common charges in Frederick are for lesser offenses, which include the following:
- DWI – 572 cases
- Driving on a suspended license – 466 cases
- Second degree assault – 385 cases
- Possession of a controlled dangerous substance – 463 cases
- Theft of less than $100 – 273 cases
- Violation of probation – 245 cases
- Failure to appear in court – 172 cases
In 2012, there were 2,760 adult arrests and more than 400 juvenile arrests for crimes of varying degrees.