Westminster Criminal Defense Lawyer
Whether you have prior convictions or have only seen the courtroom on TV, facing criminal charges is a stressful and complicated experience. Even misdemeanor convictions can have lasting effects on your personal and professional life. Convictions on felony offenses may come with long prison sentences and restrict your civil rights.
A seasoned defense attorney could help you build the strongest possible defense in your unique situation. Beyond mitigating the criminal penalties you might face upon conviction, a Westminster criminal defense lawyer could also ensure that your rights are respected and reduce the impact that allegations against you have on your life outside of court.
Potential Penalties for Criminal Convictions
Unlike many other states, Maryland does not divide criminal offenses and establish standard sanctions for subcategories like “degrees” or “classes.” Instead, the Maryland Code categorizes each criminal offense as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The relevant section of the same statute also assigns each offense a maximum possible prison term and fine that a court may impose upon conviction.
Misdemeanor charges are less severe than felonies since they are generally (but not always) punishable upon conviction by no more than one year of incarceration. Felonies are often violent offenses that can be punishable by many years in prison and substantial fines. Furthermore, anyone convicted of a felony offense in Maryland may be deprived of various civil privileges after release from prison, including the right to vote, own firearms, and serve on juries.
As a Westminster criminal defense attorney could explain, both felony and misdemeanor convictions could be visible to employers or landlords who perform background checks and may impact the immigration status of convicted individuals without citizenship. Courts may also impose enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.
The Benefits of Private Legal Counsel
Under the U.S. Constitution, anyone accused of a crime has the right to legal representation. Anyone who cannot afford an attorney or otherwise chooses not to retain private legal counsel will be provided representation by the court. However, public defenders tend to be overloaded with many cases at once. A criminal conviction in Westminster could lead to life-altering consequences, and those facing charges deserve to have a diligent and committed defense attorney on their side.
Having help from a seasoned attorney could be essential to fighting all kinds of allegations, including the following felony and misdemeanor charges:
- Theft
- Drug Charges
- Prostitution
- Assault
- Domestic Violence
- DUI or DWI
- Sex Crimes
- Gun Crimes
Any criminal charge can have severe, long-lasting impacts on someone’s life. A capable private attorney could assess an individual case, gather available evidence, and build the strongest possible defense under the circumstances to try and minimize these consequences.
Speak With a Westminster Criminal Defense Attorney Today
It can be difficult to know what steps to take to best protect your rights and interests when faced with criminal allegations. Even if you have evidence on your side, compiling that evidence into a compelling legal defense is a challenging process. Under less favorable circumstances, building this defense may be even more difficult.
If you want a fair chance at achieving an optimal resolution to your case, hiring a knowledgeable Westminster criminal defense lawyer should be a top priority. We can help. Call today to schedule a consultation.