Prince George’s County Lawyer

Named after Prince George of Denmark, Prince George’s County is the wealthiest county in the United States that consists of a African Americans as the ethnic majority. The county is also known for being the home to well-educated citizens, with around 30 percent of the residents over the age of 25 having obtained a college degree. But Prince George’s County’s close proximity to major Metropolitan areas also contributes to an increase in crime. If you’re charged with a crime in Prince George’s County, you could be facing heavy penalties depending on the type and nature of the crime. A Prince George’s County lawyer can help you fight the state in court and achieve the best possible outcome in your case.

Crime Rates in Prince George’s County

At one time, Prince George’s County was considered one of the most dangerous areas in Maryland, accounting for about 20 percent of all murders that occurred within the state from 1985 to 2006. But by 2009, homicides in the county had sharply decreased along with most other crimes. In 2011, the Prince George’s County Police Department reported that crime was down 13 percent when compared to the same time frame the previous year. This report countered initial public alarm when the year began with 11 homicides in as many days. When crime statistics were last measured in the county in May 2012, no homicides were reported for the month, compared with six in April. However, more incidents of forcible rape were reported, up to 17 from 8.

Throughout 2012, a total of 20 homicides were reported in Prince George’s County, which made up a small portion of the 1,603 total violent crimes in the county. Overall, violent crime showed a 1.2 percent decrease from the same time period (January through May) in 2010. 70 rapes, 811 robberies, and 702 aggravated assaults also made up the total violent crime in the county in 2012.

Similarly, property crime declined from 2011 to 2010. From January to May 2011, there were 10,030 total property crimes reported in Prince George’s County. In 2012, 9,605 were reported, a 4.2 percent decrease. The most common property crime in Prince George’s County in 2012 was Larceny/Theft, with 6,020 reported incidents. This was the only type of property crime that showed an increase from 2011, up 3.4 percent.

The Courthouse in Prince George’s County, MD

The Prince George’s County District Court is one of the most active courts in the area, making it vital that your Prince George’s County lawyer be familiar with the building, prosecutors, and judges that serve the court. Two District Court locations serve the county, at 14735 Main Street, Suite 173B in Upper Marlboro, MD and 4990 Rhode Island Avenue in Hyattsville. The courts keep the same hours during the week, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Free parking is available at the Equestrian Center for the Upper Marlboro location while metered parking and a fee garage serve the District Court of Hyattsville. The Administrative Clerk for the Prince George’s County District Court system is Mary J. Abrams.

Demographics in Prince George’s County

According to the 2008 Census, 825,924 people currently live in Prince George’s County, including 298,439 households and 198,047 families. These residents live in a population density of about 1,651 per square mile, spread out among 308,929 housing units in the county. Of the nearly 830,000 resident, 64.5 are Black, while 19.2 percent are White. Another 14.9 percent of the people living in Prince George’s County are Hispanic or Latino. While the African American population of the county has increased since 2000 (from 62.7 percent), the White population of the area has declined (27.04 percent in 2000). The Hispanic population of Prince George’s County has nearly doubled since 2000.

The median income for households in Prince George’s County is about $71,696, while families earn an average of $81,908. Per capita, the income for the entire county is about $23,360. While 7.4 percent of the population living in the county is under the poverty line, Prince George’s County is regarded as an affluent area. It ranks 70th in the United States for affluence, and first in the United States when only counties with a majority African American population are considered. 30.1 percent of the residents of Prince George’s County over the age of 25 have earned a college degree. 17.8 percent earned a bachelors degree upon graduation.

The Geography of Prince George’s County

Prince George’s County is divided into five distinct districts — North County, South County, Central County, Inner Beltway, and Rural Tier. The 2011 Census estimated the total population of Prince George’s County at 871,233, and the county is notable as being the wealthiest county in the U.S. with an African American-majority population. Like Montgomery County, Prince George’s County is part of both the Baltimore-Washington and D.C. Metropolitan Areas. Approximately 498.45 square miles make up Prince George’s County, of which about 2.61 percent if made up of water. The Patuxent River marks the county’s eastern border along three other counties, Calvert, Howard, and Anne Arundel.

The five districts of Prince George’s County have a marked impact on the demographics of each area. North County is home to largely populated areas like College Park, Laurel, and Greenbelt. Central County is the fastest growing portion of Prince George’s County and contains Bowie within its borders. The city of Bowie is the largest community in Prince George’s County. Rural Tier is notable for containing the Patuxent River Park, the largest natural preserve in the county and a popular area for birdwatchers and waterfront views. Inner Beltway is the most populous area within Prince George’s County, although it’s population has been steadily decreasing since 2000. Finally, South County is a geographical blend of the new developments typical of Central County and the green landscapes that make up Rural Tier.