Maryland Assault Lawyer

Maryland Assault Law

Section 3-202 of Maryland state law forbids any person from intentionally causing or attempting to cause serious physical harm to another person. ß 3-202 also specifies penalties for committing assault with a deadly weapon in Maryland, including antique firearms, shotguns, machine guns, and regulated firearms. Assault with a deadly weapon is nearly always charged as assault in the first degree.

First-Degree Assault

First-degree assault is a very serious charge in Maryland, with a possible penalty of up to 25 years imprisonment. In order to be charged with first degree assault, the state must prove the following:

• That the crime meets all elements of second-degree assault.
• The crime was committed with a firearm, or
• The intent of the assault was serious physical injury.

Maryland defines serious physical injury as a scenario that presents a reasonable risk of death on the part of the alleged victim or results in serious injuries that disfigure the victim or impair some bodily function. If you have been charged with first degree assault in Maryland, an expert Maryland defense lawyer can help you understand your charges and how best to approach them.

Second-Degree Assault

Second degree assault differs from first-degree assault in Maryland in that it is a much less serious charge, but it still carries a hefty potential penalty that a Maryland defense lawyer can help you fight. The maximum penalty for second-degree assault is 10 years imprisonment. Under ß 3-203, any unwanted physical contact can be considered assault, even if it doesn’t ultimately cause injury. Assault that poses no risk of death or serious injury is normally charged as second-degree assault. There are exceptions, however.

Against a Law Enforcement Officer, Parole/Probation Agent

Even second-degree assault in Maryland can be charged as a felony if the assault is allegedly committed against a law enforcement officer, parole officer, or probation agent. Felony charges typically only result if the alleged victim was engaged in the performance of his or her official duties, or the injuries suffered were more than minor injuries (impaired a physical condition). According to ß 3-203, anyone that commits second-degree assault on a government agent like a law enforcement officer is guilty of a felony, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine not to exceed $5,000.

If you are charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, you should be aware of the severity of the charges. If the assault is committed with a deadly weapon, you could face first-degree assault charges rather than assault in the second degree. A Maryland defense lawyer specializing in assault is vital to helping you navigate the Maryland court system quickly and safely.

Reckless Endangerment

According to Maryland state code ß 3-204, reckless endangerment is illegal. This code states that a person may not:

• Recklessly engage in any conduct that establishes a substantial risk of physical injury or death to another person
• Recklessly discharge a firearm from a car or other motor vehicle in a way that establishes a serious risk of physical injury or death to another person

The penalty for this crime, according to state code ß 3-204(b), is a misdemeanor conviction as well as a fine of up to $5,000 and a jail sentence of up to five years.

State code ß 3-204(c) lists the exceptions for crimes of reckless endangerment. The section regarding the reckless endangerment of another individual does not apply to the production, manufacture or sale of a commodity or product, nor does it apply to use of a motor vehicle covered by state code ß 11-135 of the transportation article. According to this code, a motor vehicle is a vehicle that is propelled by overhead electrical wires or self-propelled, and is not operated on rails. This same code states that mopeds and motor scooters are not considered motor vehicles.

In addition, the section regarding reckless discharge of a firearm from a motor vehicle does not apply to security guards or law enforcement officers in the performance of official duties, or individuals acting in defense of a violent crime such as an attempted carjacking.

Maryland Domestic Violence Law

Domestic violence in Maryland does not necessarily imply physical contact— an important distinction, especially in regards to protective orders issued by the state. Some behaviors falling under Maryland domestic violence law can include threatening comments, controlling access to friends/family, and physical abuse. Domestic violence can result in a host of charges depending on whether a first or second degree assault occurred during the alleged altercation. More often, a Maryland court will issue a court order or enforce an out-of-state protective order for the victim. If you are being charged with domestic violence or facing a protective order, a Maryland defense lawyer can help you understand the charges and dispute the legitimacy of the order.

Domestic violence is covered under Maryland family law, beginning with FL 4-508.1, which describes the penalties for violating an out-of-state protective order. While all offenses are normally charged as misdemeanors, the penalty differs based on the number of offenses. For example, first-time offenders face up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000.00 fine. Subsequent offenses can increase the maximum jail time to one year and increase the fine to a possible $2,500.00.

If the protective order is issued by the state of Maryland and is allegedly violated, the alleged perpetrator can be charged under FL 4-509, which allows for a 90-day imprisonment and $1,000.00 fine for first-time offenders. Subsequent offenses carry a maximum potential penalty of one year imprisonment and a $2,500.00 fine.

Locations

Our Maryland assault defense lawyers handle both assault and domestic violence cases on a regular basis from a number of offices throughout the state of Maryland. Choosing a defense lawyer close to your home or work makes it easier for you to have regular contact with your attorney, and helps give you the confidence that you’re working with a qualified, professional Maryland defense lawyer who has familiarity with the local court system. Stop by any of our offices in the following locations for your free initial consultation if you have been charged with assault or domestic violence.

Baltimore

If you’re facing charges in Baltimore for assault or domestic violence, your first priority should be to contact a qualified defense lawyer to support your rights in court. Our Maryland defense lawyers specializing in assault have an office conveniently located in Baltimore to give you all the access you’ll need to your dedicated defense team. There were an estimated 5,492 aggravated assaults reported in Baltimore during 2010, as well as an additional 3,824 violent crimes. This ranked Baltimore about 260.66% higher than the national average for violent crime rates.

Bethesda

Despite ranking as the “best educated city in the U.S.” according the 2000 Census, Bethesda is not without it’s share of violent crime. An average of 125 violent crimes are reported in Bethesda each year. While this might seem small, it actually gives Bethesda a higher crime per square mile average than the rest of Maryland. If you’ve been charged with a violent crime in Bethesda, such as assault, you need dedicated and professional legal defense team prepared to help you challenge the state in court.

College Park

The home of the flagship institution of the Maryland university system, University of Maryland-College Park, College Park is a bustling college town that also houses a facility of the U.S. National Archives known as “Archives II.” An average of 145 violent crimes, including assault, are reported each year in College Park, separate from incidents of domestic violence. While this ranks College Park under the Maryland violent crime median, it also ranks the city .77 crimes per 1,000 residents higher than the national average.

Columbia

On average, there are around 322.3 aggravated assaults per 100,000 residents reported in Columbia and nearby areas each year. Our Maryland defense lawyers in Columbia work with many local clients charged with either assault or domestic violence. Our assault defense team has a reputation for developing aggressive defenses to help you fight charges and move on with your life.

Montgomery County

Southwest of Baltimore, Montgomery County is home to 971,777 residents and includes the heavily populated regions of Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Germantown. During the first quarter of 2012, there were 193 reported aggravated assaults within Montgomery County, a 46.2 percent increase from the previous year’s first quarter (132). In addition to working with clients charged with domestic violence, our defense attorneys in Montgomery County are experienced in defending clients facing any type of assault charge.

Prince George’s County

Around 374 aggravated assaults were reported in Prince George’s County from December 2009 to January 2010, a large percentage of the 845 violent crimes in the county during the same time period. The Prince George’s County Police Department conducted a twenty-year study of crime rates in the county in 2004, when 3,220 assaults were reported in the area. This is a 44.9 percent increase from the assaults reported in the county during the first year of the study — 2,222 in 1984. Assault and domestic violence are both serious charges in Prince George’s County. A qualified Maryland assault defense lawyer can help you receive the best possible outcome in your case.

Rockville

Rockville experienced 39 aggravated assaults in 2011, a 5 percent decrease from 2010. This represented a portion of the 150 annual violent crimes the city reports. Whether you’re facing assault or domestic violence charges, our aggressive Maryland defense attorneys in Rockville can help you build an airtight case in your defense against the state. Rockville serves as the county seat of Montgomery County and is home to around 61,209 residents as of 2010.

Hyattsville

The City of Hyattsville acts as a buffer between the District of Columbia and the rest of Prince George’s County. It also shares a unique relationship with the University of Maryland in that the campus is not located within its borders, but it is close enough so that a lot of its students live there during the year. Our assault lawyers in Hyattsville will be able to represent you if you have gotten into an altercation and you need to evade any charges that have been levied against you.

Silver Spring

Silver Spring is just north of Washington, D.C., and it has an emerging downtown district that features a lot of restaurants and evening activities. As a result, the area is always booming, particularly on weekend nights when people from the surrounding towns come in to take advantage of the nightlife. If this leads to an incident that results in an assault charge, our attorneys in Silver Spring will be able to help you fight that charge to the best of their ability.

Other Resources:

• DC assault lawyer
• Prince William assault lawyer