Are you looking for a criminal offenses lawyer in Maryland?

At The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C., we provide trusted criminal defense counsel for individuals throughout Maryland.

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Maryland, taking the right steps toward building your defense is crucial. A Maryland criminal offenses attorney can protect your rights during questioning, test the prosecution’s evidence, and work to keep a single charge from defining your future.

Founder Frederick J. Brynn has defended clients facing criminal charges for more than 30 years. Every new client receives a free consultation. Reach out to our office to begin a review of your case.

Criminal Offenses Attorney Maryland

A criminal offense is conduct that state law prohibits and punishes through the court system, with consequences that can include fines, probation, incarceration, and a permanent record. Maryland classifies most offenses as either misdemeanors or felonies. The classification affects which court hears the case, the potential sentence, and whether the record may later be cleared. Theft, for example, can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the value of the property involved.

The District Court of Maryland received 103,140 criminal case filings in fiscal year 2025, according to District Court caseload data. Behind each filing is a person whose record, freedom, and livelihood may be at stake, and a criminal defense attorney in Maryland represents that person’s interests at every stage.

Types of Criminal Offense Cases We Handle in Maryland

Clients come to our firm facing misdemeanor and felony charges in state courts across Maryland. The charges below are the ones our criminal defense lawyers handle most often, and each calls for its own investigative approach.

Assault charges. Assault cases range from minor altercations to allegations involving serious injury or a weapon. Witness credibility, self-defense, and the sequence of events often decide these cases. We interview witnesses early, before memories fade.
Drug offenses. Possession, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution charges frequently depend on how police found the drugs. An unlawful search can make key evidence inadmissible, so we review every step of the search and seizure.
DUIs. A drunk driving arrest leads to a criminal case and a separate license proceeding before the Motor Vehicle Administration. We handle both, starting with the basis for the traffic stop.
DWIs. Driving while impaired is a lesser offense than DUI. A conviction still adds points and a criminal record, and we contest the evidence of impairment accordingly.
Theft charges. Theft cases include shoplifting, embezzlement, and receiving stolen property. The value of the property often determines the severity of the charge. Intent is a central element, and we examine whether the prosecution can actually prove it.
Weapons charges. Firearm and weapons allegations can carry significant penalties, particularly when they accompany another offense. We review how officers located the weapon and whether the possession can be attributed to our client.
Sex crimes. Allegations of sexual misconduct carry severe penalties and lasting social consequences, including possible registration requirements. These cases demand discretion, careful review of forensic evidence, and thorough preparation for trial.
Sexual solicitation charges. Solicitation and prostitution arrests often arise from undercover operations. We evaluate whether the conduct of law enforcement crossed the line into entrapment and whether the charge fits the facts.
Criminal record expungements. A past arrest or charge can appear in background checks long after the case ends. We assess eligibility and prepare the petition to remove qualifying records.

Why Choose The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. as My Criminal Offenses Attorney in Maryland?

More Than 75 Years of Combined Legal Experience

The attorneys at our firm bring more than 75 years of combined experience to criminal and trial work. Frederick J. Brynn leads the criminal practice, which includes DUI defense and criminal record expungement. He is a graduate of Vermont Law School and a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the American Bar Association. Martindale-Hubbell awarded him its Notable peer rating in 2025 for strong ethical standards, and he also holds the Martindale-Hubbell Client Reviewed Award.

The firm has defended clients in criminal matters throughout the region for decades, and many returning clients have relied on it across several legal matters.

Attention to Your Record After the Case Closes

A criminal case does not end at sentencing for most clients, and our defense planning accounts for what happens afterward. A criminal conviction can affect employment, housing, and professional licensing. For that reason, we consider expungement eligibility, collateral consequences, and probation terms before advising a client on any plea offer. A guilty plea that resolves the case quickly may still close doors that a different outcome would have kept open. We explain those tradeoffs in plain terms so each client can weigh them before making a decision.

What Is Important To Understand About Criminal Offense Cases?

Charges, Penalties, and Defense Strategies for Criminal Offense Cases

The nature of the charge shapes nearly every decision in a criminal case, including the defense strategy a criminal offenses attorney in Maryland will recommend.

Misdemeanors are less serious offenses, but a conviction can still bring jail time and a permanent record, which is why acting early matters even for minor offenses.
Felonies are the most serious category of crimes and carry the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence, along with the loss of certain civil rights.
Penalties may include fines, probation, incarceration, restitution, and court-ordered programs, and judges in the circuit court often consult the state’s voluntary sentencing guidelines.
Defense strategies may challenge the legality of a stop, arrest, or vehicle search, the reliability of witnesses, or whether the evidence proves each element of the offense.
Some cases resolve through a dismissal, a stet, or probation before judgment, outcomes that may leave the client eligible to clear the record later.

What Is The Criminal Offense Case Timeline?

Timing varies with the court and the seriousness of the charge. Felony cases are generally tried in the circuit court and often take longer to resolve.

Arrest and initial appearance. After an arrest, a District Court commissioner decides whether to release the defendant and on what conditions.
Bail review. A judge may review those conditions, and defense counsel can argue for release or a lower bond.
Charging and preliminary proceedings. Felony charges may proceed by indictment or criminal information, while most misdemeanors remain in the District Court.
Discovery and motions. We obtain police reports, recordings, and lab results, then file motions to suppress evidence that was gathered improperly.
Plea negotiations or trial. Some cases are best resolved through negotiation, and we tell clients plainly when the evidence points in that direction. Others are tried before a judge or jury.
Sentencing and post-trial matters. If there is a conviction, the court imposes a sentence, and a probation violation later on can bring the case back before the judge.

What Are Important Aspects of a Criminal Offense Case?

Several factors influence the outcome of a criminal case well before it reaches a courtroom, and a criminal defense lawyer in Maryland evaluates each of them at the outset.

Statements to police. Anything said during questioning can become evidence. Speaking with a lawyer first is one of the most effective ways to avoid the common mistakes defendants make.
Prior record. Earlier convictions can raise the potential sentence and limit the options available during negotiations.
Collateral consequences. For non-citizens, a plea can carry serious immigration consequences even when the sentence itself is minor.
Witness and physical evidence. In many assault defense cases, the outcome turns on how credible each witness is and what the physical evidence actually shows.

What Should You Bring to Your Criminal Offense Consultation?

The paperwork from your arrest allows a Maryland criminal defense attorney to identify the exact charges and the next court date during the first meeting.

The charging document, criminal summons, or citation lists each offense and the court where the case is filed.
Release paperwork and bond documents show the conditions you must follow before trial.
Any notices of upcoming court dates help us calendar deadlines and avoid missed appearances.
Information about prior arrests or convictions, including those from other states, helps us assess sentencing exposure.

The free consultation gives us time to review these documents with you, explain the charges, and outline possible defense strategies.

Maryland Courthouses and Local Criminal Justice Resources

A criminal offenses lawyer in Maryland works within a statewide court system and alongside several state agencies.

The Maryland Judiciary’s Directory of Courts lists every appellate, circuit, and District Court location by county, along with clerk’s office information.
The Maryland Courts expungement guide explains eligibility, filing fees, and the forms needed to request removal of adult criminal records.
The Division of Parole and Probation supervises individuals placed on probation by Maryland courts and enforces the conditions judges impose.
The Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy publishes the state’s sentencing guidelines, which judges use as a reference when imposing sentences.

Reach Out to The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. to Schedule a Consultation

Criminal charges in Maryland move on a fixed court schedule, and early preparation gives the defense more options. The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. offers a free consultation to review your charges and the evidence. We will explain the process ahead and the choices available to you. Calls are answered 24 hours a day. Contact us to speak with a Maryland criminal defense lawyer.

Maryland Criminal Offenses Lawyer