If you have recently been accused of violating the law in the state of Maryland, you could be looking at misdemeanor or felony charges. Although felony charges typically carry more severe penalties and can have a major impact on your future, you should never minimize the impact of a misdemeanor either.
It is imperative to reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Maryland as soon as possible after you have been accused of a crime. Some misdemeanor crimes are more common than others in the state of Maryland.
Regardless of how the crime occurred, you need to consult with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible after the charges are alleged against you so that you have the best possible chance of protecting your rights.
While the details of your arrest are still fresh in your mind, speaking with your attorney can help to clarify issues and give them all the information that they need to move forward developing a criminal defense strategy. There are several different common misdemeanors in Maryland and they are listed below.
Open Container Violation
An open container violation in Maryland is defined as possessing an alcoholic beverage on public property or a retail establishment in an open container without having the owner’s consent. This can even refer to parking lots in Maryland.
Open containers can be an open bottle of liquor, a cup filled with an alcoholic beverage, open cans of beer or open bottles of wine. An open container violation is a misdemeanor.
Although this is a misdemeanor crime, you should not take it lightly.
Assault
Assault can be tricky because it can be elevated to higher degrees with more severe penalties and impacts on your record. You can be accused of assault for hitting, striking, or harming someone else physically, but this charge may also imply if the victim had reason to suspect that you were about to harm him or her.
Many people are not aware of the impacts that a threat towards someone else might carry in terms of an assault charge, so make sure to get help from a lawyer as soon as possible.
Public Intoxication
Public intoxication in Maryland is defined as being intoxicated in a public situation that causes a public disturbance or endangers another person’s safety and can carry penalties like a fine.
Although public intoxication has the reputation for being a non-serious crime, any situation where you’re facing potential charges can lead to penalties.
DUI
Being accused of DUI/DWI in Maryland is a common situation as it can happen anytime that your coordination is impaired substantially or to some extent by alcohol. This has serious penalties and effects on your life, and it is imperative to retain a Maryland criminal defense attorney as soon possible to protect yourself.
These penalties can be different depending on your unique situation and requires insight from a knowledgeable attorney.
Disorderly Conduct
Someone who has been accused of disorderly conduct may face up to 60 days in jail or a fine for a situation in which someone’s behavior incites, offends, disturbs, or intends to incite someone else. This charge can impact your life going forward in the event that you are convicted.
How to Protect Your Rights When Accused of a Misdemeanor
Never make the mistake of assuming that a misdemeanor is a minor matter and one that you should handle on your own. Any criminal allegation against you could be significant and damaging.
Reaching out to a Maryland criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after you have been accused is imperative for your future. Do not wait until you have already been taken into the station and given a statement to the police officers.
Police officers do not have your best interests in mind; rather, their primary goal is to gather all necessary information in order to push for a conviction. You should only count on one person to protect you during this critical time and that is your Maryland criminal defense lawyer.
A defense lawyer will step in and get your perspective on what is happening and find out the actual charges against you in order to craft a compelling defense strategy. He or she should also be familiar with the local and the state procedures associated with that misdemeanor charge in order to determine whether or not there are any opportunities to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
Consult with Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Swift action by a Maryland criminal defense lawyer can have a major impact on the outcome of your case and that is why it is so important to consult with a lawyer right away.
A lawyer is the only person who may be looking out for your best interests, so do not hesitate to exercise your right to remain silent and your right to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Learn the most lenient and the strictest states for driving under the influence: https://lawofficeofleongeller.com/blog/most-lenient-and-strictest-states-for-drunk-driving/
