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Chevy Chase Criminal Lawyer

Any contact that you have with the criminal justice system can be instantly intimidating and frightening. You may feel as if there is no one to help you and that no one is on your side. In this situation, a criminal lawyer may be able to provide you with the advice and assistance that you are likely to need.

Criminal court proceedings, whether at the state or federal level, can be complex. Trying to navigate through an arrest, arraignment, court hearings, and plea negotiations on your own can be extremely difficult.

Having a Chevy Chase criminal defense attorney on your side to answer your questions and calm your concerns throughout your criminal proceedings may be to your advantage, particularly as you make important decisions about your future.

Facing Criminal Charges in Chevy Chase

Whether individuals are facing a first-time charge or have been in this situation before, dealing with law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and the court system is not easy. Even in the community, innocent before proven guilty does not seem to exist. Everyone seems to ready to prejudge individuals before they even have had their day in court.

Individuals who are facing criminal charges are entitled to certain rights, including a presumption of innocence. The U.S. Constitution confers other rights on individuals, as well, including the right to remain silent, the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure, and the right to be represented by an attorney at all stages of any criminal proceedings. Being aware of these rights and choosing to exercise them with the help of a Chevy Chase criminal lawyer can be essential to getting fair treatment under the law.

Common Kinds of Criminal Charges

Criminal charges cover a wide range of behaviors from misdemeanor offenses to more serious felony offenses. Some offenses are misdemeanors, or less severe crimes, whereas others are felonies, which carry the potential for high fines and long terms of incarceration. In some cases, a criminal offense may be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances.

Common misdemeanor offenses under Maryland law can include:

  • Theft involving goods worth less than $1,500
  • Drunk driving, reckless driving, and other traffic offenses
  • Minor drug possession
  • Second-degree assault

Felony offenses are more serious in nature and often involve violence or weapons. Some common felony offenses are:

  • Murder, rape, and first-degree assault
  • Robbery, burglary, and theft of goods worth more than $1,500
  • Drug possession with intent to distribute
  • Arson

Regardless of whether an offense is a misdemeanor or a felony, potential penalties can vary. The presence of aggravating factors, such as prior convictions, infliction of serious injury, and the use of weapons also can impact the penalties that individuals receive for convictions of various criminal offenses.

Potential Defense Strategies in Criminal Cases

There are workable and potentially effective defense strategies for individuals who are facing all types of criminal charges. In some cases, police and prosecutors make errors that can result in evidence being suppressed or thrown out of court. Misunderstandings, lack of communication, and mistaken identity also can result in criminal charges that may not be adequately supported by the evidence.

In other cases, law enforcement officers may violate the rights of individuals. Whether it is through an unlawful traffic stop or a search of a residence not supported by reasonable cause, police errors sometimes can create reasonable doubt sufficient to drop or reduce criminal charges.

A criminal lawyer in Chevy Chase may be able to use these mistakes to attack the evidence against their clients and effectively defend them against criminal charges.

Get Advice from a Chevy Chase Criminal Attorney Today

When you are facing any type of criminal charge, the potential consequences are serious. Not only could you be incarcerated, but you also could be responsible for paying high fines, court costs, and fees, as well as dealing with the collateral repercussions of a criminal conviction. If you or a loved one ends up in this situation, a Chevy Chase criminal lawyer may be able to help.

Working with a skilled Chevy Chase criminal defense attorney may enable you to identify all the options that are available to you and decide upon the one that is right for you. Getting legal advice during a crucial situation in your life may be essential to your ability to come through the experience with as minimal an impact as possible.

Chevy Chase Criminal Lawyer
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