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Constitutional Protections for the Criminal Defendant

Although some criminal defendants think that they can beat the system on their own, having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side gives you a better chance of preserving your legal rights. If you have been charged with a crime, contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Maryland Criminal Law Information Center

The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink has extensive experience representing clients accused of all types of misdemeanor and felony charges, including DUI and traffic violations, assault, domestic violence, weapons charges, drug charges, violations of parole, property crimes, theft and juvenile offenses. Our attorneys will aggressively defend your rights at every stage of the proceedings. From your initial consultation through the final resolution of your case, you can trust that we will remain staunch, dedicated advocates focused on your immediate and long-term interests.

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Aggressive criminal defense. Protect your rights and your future. For a free initial consultation with an experienced attorney from our firm, please call 800-266-8151 or contact us by email.

We have a live answering service that will page us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Our lawyers have offices in Glen Burnie, Columbia, and Dundalk, Maryland for your convenience.

Constitutional Protections for the Criminal Defendant

The United States Constitution and its subsequent amendments define the scope of governmental power and reserve certain individual rights to the people. The first 10 amendments, also called the Bill of Rights, contain basic, fundamental rights of individuals on which the government may not impinge. Many of these constitutional rights provide protection to criminal defendants in the criminal-justice system. The 14th Amendment extends substantive due-process rights beyond the federal system to criminal defendants in state courts, where the vast majority of criminal trials occur.

The basic constitutional rights of the criminal defendant permeate almost every aspect of the criminal-justice process. If you have been accused of a crime, whether federal, state, tribal or local, a criminal defense attorney from Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA in Glen Burnie, Maryland, can explain these rights to you and help you to fight for them at every step of the way.

Fundamental Rights

Here are the main federal constitutional rights guaranteed to criminal defendants in the United States to promote fair trials. Remember that these rights have been refined and interpreted by the courts, and a lawyer can advise you about each right's role in and application to your particular case.

  • The right to due process of law
  • The right to equal protection under the law
  • The right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure
  • The right against self-incrimination or being forced to testify against oneself
  • The right against double jeopardy or being tried more than once for the same offense
  • The right to legal counsel
  • The right to a speedy, public trial
  • The right to an impartial jury trial
  • The right to confront witnesses against you
  • The right to call supporting witnesses
  • The right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment
  • The prohibition against ex post facto laws or laws that retroactively criminalize certain acts or retroactively increase criminal sanctions
  • The right to be free from excessive fines or excessive bail
  • The right to clear notice of criminal charges
  • The right to a grand jury in federal felony proceedings

Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Our criminal justice system is designed through constitutional protections to provide a criminal defendant with a fair trial. If you face any phase of the process, consult an experienced attorney at Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA in Glen Burnie, Maryland, as early as possible to enlist an important ally in your quest to protect your legal and constitutional rights.

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DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

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Anne Arundel County
Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA
Empire Towers
7310 Ritchie Highway, Suite 912
Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Phone: 410-766-0113
Fax: 410-766-0270
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Columbia, MD 21044

Phone: 410-964-0050
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