Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Baltimore
Compare Top Criminal Defense Attorneys
| Lawyer Name | MD Bar Association Status | Year Admitted to MD Bar | Law School Attended | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur S. Alperstein | Active | 1967 | University of Maryland School of Law | |
| Chaz R. Ball | Active | 2011 | Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law | |
| Richard B. Bardos | Active | 1983 | University of Maryland School of Law | |
| Robert W. Biddle | Active | 1994 | University of Pennsylvania Law School | |
| John A. Bourgeois | Active | 1993 | Georgetown University Law Center | |
| Adam Sean Cohen | Active | 1996 | Widener University Delaware Law School | |
| David B. Irwin | Active | 1973 | University of Maryland School of Law | |
| Andy Levy | Active | 1982 | University of Maryland School of Law | |
| Andrew G. Norman | Active | 1979 | University of Baltimore School of Law | |
| Brian G. Thompson | Active | 1996 | University of Baltimore School of Law |
What Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
The criminal justice system in the U.S. is an adversarial system. This means that when someone is accused of a crime by the state, representatives of the state and the defendant present evidence of guilt and innocence (respectively) before a jury that decides the case.
Baltimore criminal defense lawyers represent defendants in this process. This typically involves interviewing witnesses, examining evidence and presenting that information to a jury at trial.
Public Defender vs. Private Criminal Attorney
There are two types of Baltimore criminal defense lawyers: public defenders and private attorneys. The former are paid for by the state of Maryland and are assigned to any defendant who is facing jail or prison time as a result of their charges and qualifies for free representation by completing a form.
Private attorneys charge for their services. Typically, they have fewer cases and more resources to apply in their cases, which means they usually get better results than public defenders.
Should You Represent Yourself in a Criminal Case?
Even if you have legal training, you typically should never represent yourself in a criminal case. The one exception is when you aren’t facing any jail or prison time and the maximum fine is less than the cost of hiring Baltimore criminal defense lawyers. In this one circumstance, there is almost no penalty for representing yourself.
Understanding the Legal Process for Criminal Cases
The legal process in Maryland will typically involve the following steps:
- Filing criminal charges. A victim can present their claim to a law enforecement. If law enforcement deems those facts likely to be true and determines a crime was probably committed, they will file a charge.
- Grand jury. Alternatively, if the prosecutor believes a crime was committed, they can present evidence to a grand jury. If the grand jury agrees that a crime was likely committed, they grant an indictment.
- Arrest. After either of these situations, the police will arrest the defendant. The police can also arrest a defendant without these actions if they have probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime.
- Scheduling hearing. During the aptly named scheduling hearing, a judge will set the remaining court dates for the trial.
- Discovery phase and preliminary hearings. During this time, each side reveals what evidence they intend to use at trial. This is also usually when plea deals are negotiated, potentially resolving the case before the trial begins.
- Trial. Lawyers for both sides present their case during the trial, according to the rules of the court. A judge or jury determines guilt or innocence at the end of the trial.
- Sentencing. Based on the decision of the court, the judge sentences a guilty defendant in line with the sentencing guidelines of Maryland.
Resolving a Criminal Case in Maryland
Sentencing guidelines provide an outline for how crimes are punished in Maryland and are intended to provide guidance to judges, but judges can deviate if they believe it is appropriate and can document the reasons for the deviation. As a rule, felonies will receive harsher sentences than misdemeanors, and judges are likely to follow the guidelines when there are no reasons not to.
However, few cases end with a judge sentencing a defendant after a trial. Most cases end with a plea agreement. When a plea agreement is made, the defendant usually agrees to plead guilty to reduced charges and specific penalties that both sides agree to.
Expungement in Maryland
Maryland allows some defendants to have their criminal records expunged. Any expunged records are removed from the public record, though they are still accessible by police and the courts.
If you were acquitted, your case was dropped, or you weren’t found guilty, you can request immediate expungement. Some more serious crimes can also be expunged, but you will have to wait as long as 15 years, depending on the crime, to have those records expunged.
How to Choose the Best Criminal Lawyer in Baltimore, MD
When choosing criminal defense lawyers in Baltimore, you have a lot of good choices. This guide will help you narrow your choices down. Consider the following factors when making your decision:
- Past cases. Has the attorney handled a case similar to yours? Baltimore criminal defense lawyers usually focus on particular types of crimes, and you want one with experience with the crime you are charged with.
- Appeals experience. This matters most if you have already lost at trial and want to appeal. An attorney who regularly handles appeals is more likely to get the verdict reversed or sentencing reduced.
- Practice locations. Just because you are looking for criminal defense lawyers in Baltimore doesn’t mean your case is being tried in Baltimore. If you are facing federal charges or charges in another state, you need a lawyer licensed to practice in those courts.
Baltimore Criminal Defense Resources
Methodology
To come up with the criminal defense lawyers in Baltimore of 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does bail work in Maryland?
Assuming you are assigned bail, there are four types of bail in Maryland: cash, property bond, surety bond and personal recognizance. The last type is the simplest. You aren’t required to post bail. The court trusts you to return for your court dates without any surety offered.
A cash bond is also relatively simple. You pay 10% of the bail and are free as long you make all your court dates. A property bond allows you to surrender property as collateral instead of cash. Finally, a surety bond is similar to a cash bond, except that you go through a bail bond agency, and the money you pay is not refunded, even if you make every court appearance.
Will I go to jail if I am convicted?
That depends on the charge you are convicted of and your criminal history. Typically, if you have never previously been convicted of a crime and the charges are for low-level felonies or misdemeanors, criminal defense lawyers in Baltimore can negotiate a plea deal that excludes any jail or prison time.
What is a parole violation hearing?
If the state alleges that you violated one or more of the conditions of your release, you must participate in a parole violation hearing. Your attorney of record can represent you in this hearing. If you are found guilty, your release may be revoked, requiring you to fulfill the remainder of your original sentence.
