MARYLAND CRIMES - ATTORNEYS & LAW

Criminal law is a broad term and can encompass an assortment of crimes including murder, to theft, drug possession, and money laundering. What your punishment or sentence will be for a criminal act will depend on several conditions such as the type of crime committed, the relevant Maryland criminal sentencing guidelines, previous convictions, and the circumstances surrounding the crime. You should speak with a Maryland criminal defense attorney about any criminal charges against you.

Drug Possession in Maryland

Drug possession and distribution of drugs in Maryland will carry different charges depending on the type and amount of drug:

• simply possessing or administering the drug to another person will be a misdemeanor and subject to a maximum of four years in jail, a fine not exceeding $25,000, or both
• possession of marijuana in Maryland will carry a maximum of one year, fine of $1,000,or both.
• you will be charged with a felony with a maximum sentence of five years, fine of $15,000, or both, if you are found to:
  • (1) be in possession of such a large amount of a drug as to indicate an intention to distribute;
  • (2) have an intent to distribute the drug;
  • (3) manufacture the drug; or
  • (4) with drug manufacturing equipment,

For all drug charges, repeat offenders will have varying maximum or minimum sentences. You should contact a Maryland drug defense lawyer to discuss the charges against you or a loved one.

Assault in Maryland

Assault in Maryland means the crimes of assault, battery, and assault and battery, and may be either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the severity of the assault. There are two degrees of assault in Maryland: first degree assault and second degree assault.

1. First Degree Assault: includes assaults with a firearm and intentionally causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury to another.
   • Sentence: subject to imprisonment not exceeding 25 years
2. Second Degree Assault: a lessor offense and encompasses all other attempts or intentions to cause harm to another not in first degree assault.
   • Sentence: subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $2,500 or both.

If you have been charged with assault in Maryland, you should contact a Maryland criminal defense attorney.

Maryland Drunk Driving – DUI/DWI

Drunk driving is one of the most common criminal cases today. If you have received a DUI or DWI in Maryland there can be several consequences such as license suspension, fines, and/or jail time. If you have received a DUI/DWI in Maryland, it is recommended that you hire a Maryland DUI/DWI attorney.

Right to a Jury

A jury is the judge of law and fact in a criminal case and determines the defendant's guilt or innocence. In a general Maryland jurisdiction, there is no right to a jury trial in a criminal case unless:

1. the person may be sentenced to a penalty of imprisonment; or
2. there is a constitutional right to a jury trial for that particular crime.

Trial Date

The date for trial of a criminal matter in the circuit court shall be set within 30 days after the earlier of:

1. appearance of counsel; or
2. first appearance of the defendant before the circuit court

The trial date may not be later than 180 days after the earlier of those events. For good cause shown, the county administrative judge or a designee of the judge may grant a change of the trial date in a circuit court:

1. on motion of a party; or
2. on the initiative of the circuit court.

Sentence Review / Appeals

A person convicted of a crime by a Maryland circuit court and sentenced to serve a sentence that exceeds two years in a correctional facility is entitled to a single "sentence review" also known as appeal, by a review panel (of three or more judges). A person is not entitled:

1. to a sentence review if the sentence was imposed by more than one circuit court judge; or
2. to a review of an order requiring a suspended part of a sentence to be served if:
   • the sentence originally was wholly or partly suspended;
   • the sentence was reviewed; and
   • the suspended sentence or suspended part of that sentence later was required to be served.

MARYLAND ANNOTATED CODE Click Here To See The Following Statues:

1. Drug Possession

   Maryland Annotated Code, Title 5, §§ 601-606.

2. Assault

   Maryland Annotated Code, Title 3, § 201-203.

3. Right to a Jury

   Maryland Annotated Code, Title 6, §§ 101-102.

4. Trial Date

   Maryland Annotated Code, Title 6, § 103.

5. Sentence Review

   Maryland Annotated Code, Title 8, § 102.