Criminal Offenses Lawyer Maryland
If you’ve been charged with a crime in Maryland, the weight of what comes next can feel overwhelming. A conviction can cost you your job, your freedom, and your reputation. Even an arrest on its own creates problems that follow you for years through background checks, professional licensing reviews, and housing applications.
At The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C., we have defended clients facing criminal charges in Maryland courts for more than three decades. Our Maryland criminal offenses lawyer has the courtroom experience and legal knowledge to build a defense strategy that protects your rights and your future. If you are facing charges, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our firm.
Why Choose Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. for Criminal Defense in Maryland?
Extensive Trial Experience in Maryland Criminal Courts
Frederick J. Brynn has practiced criminal defense since 1992. He is licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., which means he understands how cases move through different jurisdictions in this region and how prosecutors approach criminal matters differently depending on the courthouse. He earned his J.D. from Vermont Law School and has spent more than 30 years standing in front of judges and juries on criminal cases.
That kind of sustained courtroom presence matters. Prosecutors evaluate their cases differently when they know the defense attorney on the other side has real trial experience and will not accept a bad plea deal just to close a file. Frederick Brynn has helped clients get charges reduced and dismissed across a wide range of criminal matters, from misdemeanor offenses to serious felonies. He received a Martindale-Hubbell Notable Award, Peer Rated for Strong Ethical Standards in 2025, alongside a Martindale-Hubbell Client Reviewed Award. Both recognitions reflect evaluations from fellow attorneys and actual clients.
A Two-Attorney Defense Practice
Stephen F. Brennwald has practiced law since 1985. He graduated from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and has handled thousands of criminal cases over his 40-year career, including dozens of murder cases and federal criminal matters.
Mr. Brennwald is a member of the Maryland Association for Justice, the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers’ Association, and the District of Columbia Bar. He is also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
Our criminal defense attorney in Maryland also handles DUI cases and DWI charges, which often overlap with other criminal offenses.
Accessibility When You Need It
We offer free consultations for all criminal defense matters and our phones are answered 24 hours a day. Arrests happen at night. They happen on weekends. Waiting until Monday morning to talk to someone about your case is not always an option, and we don’t think you should have to.
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“Mr. Bryman always taken very good care of me very time I was in an accident he has always made me feel that he understands my pain and hurt. Mr. Bryman staff has always made me feel like I was the only client but I know he has more me as clients I will always recommend him to others and I have done that over the years I have been with Mr. Bryman over 27 years and can stand behind him a hundred percent for the work and support and service that he does for me.” — Mary Gates
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Types of Criminal Cases We Handle in Maryland
Our Maryland criminal defense attorneys represent clients across a broad range of charges. Every case receives individual attention because no two situations are alike, and the defense strategy that works for one client may be entirely wrong for another.
- Drug offenses. Possession, distribution, manufacturing, and trafficking charges all carry distinct penalties under Maryland law. We challenge the evidence, the legality of the stop, and the search that produced it. Officers make procedural errors more often than most people realize, and those errors can be the basis for getting evidence suppressed or charges dropped entirely.
- DUI defense. Maryland treats DUI and DWI as separate offenses with different thresholds and penalties. We contest breathalyzer results, field sobriety test administration, and the constitutional validity of traffic stops. A failed breath test does not automatically mean a conviction.
- DWI defense. A DWI charge involves impairment rather than full intoxication, but it still results in fines, license points, and potential jail time. Many people underestimate the consequences of what they assume is a “lesser” charge.
- Assault and violent crimes. Maryland distinguishes between first-degree and second-degree assault, with penalties ranging from fines to decades in prison. We defend against allegations involving self-defense claims, mistaken identity, lack of intent, and insufficient evidence. The factual details often determine whether a case is a misdemeanor or a felony.
- Theft and property crimes. These charges cover everything from shoplifting to felony theft based on the value of property involved. Intent is a required element, and proving intent beyond a reasonable doubt is harder than prosecutors sometimes anticipate.
- Weapons offenses. Carrying a firearm without a permit, possession of a prohibited weapon, and use of a weapon during a crime each carry significant mandatory penalties in Maryland. The specific facts of how and where the weapon was found affect the available defenses substantially.
- Sex crimes. Allegations of sexual offenses carry severe penalties and lasting consequences including registration requirements that can follow a person for life. We treat these cases with the seriousness and discretion they require.
- Probation violations. A technical or substantive violation can result in the court imposing the full original suspended sentence. We present mitigating circumstances and argue for alternatives to incarceration whenever possible.
People often make avoidable mistakes early in the process that damage their own cases. Talking to police without an attorney, posting about the incident on social media, or delaying the decision to hire counsel are among the most common errors we see.
Maryland Criminal Law Requirements
Maryland criminal law is codified primarily under the Criminal Law Article of the Maryland Code. Every charge has specific elements the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt, and the penalties vary widely depending on offense classification and the defendant’s prior record.
Second-degree assault under Md. Criminal Law § 3-203 is classified as a misdemeanor carrying up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine up to $2,500 or both. That sentence length surprises many people who assume misdemeanors are minor. First-degree assault, defined under Md. Criminal Law § 3-202, is a felony punishable by up to 25 years. The line between the two charges often comes down to whether the state can prove specific intent to cause serious physical injury, and that distinction is where effective criminal defense makes the biggest difference.
Maryland imposes enhanced penalties for repeat offenders convicted of violent crimes. Under Md. Criminal Law § 14-101, a second conviction for a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years that the judge cannot suspend. The defendant is not eligible for parole except under narrow circumstances outlined in the Correctional Services Article. These escalating consequences make early, aggressive defense critical, particularly for anyone with a prior record.
Drug offenses carry their own set of penalties under Title 5 of the Criminal Law Article. Simple possession charges are treated very differently from distribution or manufacturing charges, and the type and quantity of the substance involved significantly affects sentencing. A conviction for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance near a school, for example, carries enhanced penalties beyond what the base offense would require.
What this means in practical terms: if you’re charged with a criminal offense in Maryland, the state has substantial resources to prosecute your case. The burden of proof is on the prosecution, but meeting that burden is what prosecutors do every day. You need a criminal defense attorney in MD who understands the specific statutes, knows the local courts, and can challenge the state’s case at every stage from the preliminary hearing through trial.
What Penalties Are Possible in Maryland Criminal Cases?
The range of penalties in Maryland criminal cases depends on the classification of the offense, the defendant’s history, and the specific circumstances surrounding the alleged conduct. Understanding what you’re actually facing is the first step toward building an effective defense.
Misdemeanor penalties vary more than most people expect. Some carry fines of a few hundred dollars. Others, like second-degree assault, can result in up to 10 years behind bars. Maryland does not treat all misdemeanors as minor.
Felony penalties are more severe. Drug distribution, first-degree assault, robbery, and other serious felonies can result in decades of incarceration. Certain offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences that limit a judge’s discretion, which means even a sympathetic judge may not be able to help you once convicted.
Collateral consequences extend far beyond the courtroom. A felony conviction affects your right to possess firearms, your eligibility for professional licenses, and your standing in family court. It appears on background checks indefinitely. Even misdemeanor convictions limit employment opportunities and housing applications.
Probation before judgment (PBJ) is available for certain offenses. When granted, PBJ allows a defendant to complete probation without a formal conviction on their record. But PBJ is not available for every charge, and securing it requires strong advocacy. For drug-related charges, the substance classification and arrest circumstances both factor into whether PBJ is realistic.
Expungement is another consideration. Maryland allows expungement of certain records, but eligibility depends on the charge type, the outcome, and how much time has passed. A criminal offenses lawyer in Maryland can advise whether expungement applies to your situation.
The charge you’re facing is the starting point, not the ending point. A strong defense can lead to reduced charges, dismissed cases, acquittals, or alternative sentencing that protects your record.
Contact Frederick J. Brynn, P.C.
Criminal charges demand prompt action. The earlier we get involved in your case, the more options we have to protect your rights and build a defense that gives you the best possible outcome.
We offer free consultations for all criminal defense matters. You pay nothing to discuss your case with an experienced criminal offenses attorney in Maryland. Our office provides 24/7 phone answering because we understand that arrests do not follow a convenient schedule.
Contact us to schedule your free consultation. We will review your charges, explain your options honestly, and outline a defense strategy built around the facts of your case.