Ellicott City Criminal Defense Lawyer

Ellicott City criminal defense attorney

An arrest for any criminal charge can be a daunting and life-changing experience in many ways. If you or a family member was recently arrested in the Ellicott City area for any criminal offense, it is vital to know your rights and take full advantage of them so that you can reach the optimal outcome in this challenging situation. An experienced Ellicott City criminal defense lawyer can be invaluable to your case.

Experienced Criminal Defense Counsel in Ellicott City, MD

The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, can provide the robust defense counsel you need after you have been arrested for any crime in Ellicott City. Our firm has more than 25 years of professional experience representing clients throughout Maryland in all types of cases, including criminal defense. We know how stressful it can be to confront the serious implications your case could have on your life, and we want to provide peace of mind with our representation.

Every American citizen has the right to legal counsel when they are accused of a crime, and the right attorney can have a tremendous positive effect on the outcome of your impending case. When you choose the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, to represent you, you will have a dedicated legal advocate readily available to answer your questions as they arise and to provide measured guidance for every phase of your case.

Do not make the mistake of assuming you can represent your own defense, as even if you know you are innocent of the charges against you, the prosecution may make a compelling case that you will not know how to dismantle on your own. A defense attorney may also uncover defenses that you did not realize were available to you. Ultimately, you have the greatest chance of avoiding conviction or at least minimizing your penalty with an attorney’s help.

Types of Cases We Handle

When you are searching for an Ellicott City criminal defense attorney to represent you, it is vital that you not only consider a potential attorney’s overall experience with criminal law but also their experience handling cases like yours. At the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, our firm has extensive experience representing clients charged with:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol. This is one of the most commonly prosecuted crimes in the country, and the penalties for conviction can include jail time, loss of your driver’s license, and heavy fines.
• Assault and violent crime. Attacking another person or even threatening to attack another person can lead to serious penalties. If you were forced to use violence in self-defense or in defense of another party, we can help craft the most effective defense against these charges.
• Sex crimes. These are some of the most serious criminal charges a person can face, and the penalties for conviction can vary significantly based on the severity of the actions allegedly taken and the age and condition of the victim. Penalties for sex crime conviction often include incarceration, restitution to the victim, and mandatory sex offender registration, sometimes for life.
• Theft. The penalties for the unlawful taking of another person’s property generally depend on the value of the property stolen. If the defendant stole property directly from a victim, it would constitute robbery, while breaking into someone else’s home or business to steal property would qualify as burglary. Stealing low-value items from a retail store would qualify as shoplifting.
• Domestic violence. Any type of violence among members of a family or household can qualify as domestic violence. Penalties often exceed those assigned to their standard counterparts, and it is possible for a parent charged with domestic violence to lose custody rights of their children and face other penalties in family court along with their criminal conviction.
• Drug crimes. Drug-related crimes are some of the most commonly prosecuted offenses in the United States. It’s possible for a defendant to face conviction for illegal possession, possession with intent to sell, or even more serious drug-related offenses such as trafficking or drug manufacturing.

These are just a few examples of the types of criminal cases our firm represents in Ellicott City. When a person is arrested for any crime in the state, the arresting officer is required to read them their Miranda rights and adhere to the laws of due process as the suspect is arrested, transported to a police station or precinct, and booked for a crime.

During the booking process, the suspect will have the opportunity to make phone calls. While they should notify their closest family of their situation, they should also reach out to an experienced Ellicott City criminal defense lawyer to represent them.

Building Your Defense Against Criminal Charges in Ellicott City

If you were wrongfully arrested for a crime that you did not commit, or you otherwise did not break the law in the situation, your Ellicott City criminal defense attorney will likely focus on building an alibi for you or presenting exculpatory evidence to prove you did not break the law. For example, if you were mistaken for another person who committed a crime, your attorney could establish an alibi, proving you were somewhere else when the crime occurred.

It is also possible for a defendant in a criminal case to avoid conviction if their attorney can prove that the police failed to conduct a lawful arrest, violated the laws of due process, or infringed upon the defendant’s civil or constitutional rights. If the prosecution has all the evidence needed to ensure a conviction, they may be willing to offer a plea deal, and the defense attorney can ensure that any such deal suits their client’s interests.

Ultimately, whether you have been charged with one crime or multiple offenses, whether you have a criminal record or have been arrested for the first time, and regardless of whether you committed the offense or have been wrongfully accused, defense representation you can trust will be essential for your case. The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, can provide comprehensive legal representation through every stage of your case.

Our goal is to help our client avoid conviction if possible and reduce their sentence if necessary. You can count on our team to gather all exculpatory evidence that may be crucial to your defense, arrange for witness and expert witness testimony if possible, and handle plea deal negotiations if necessary.

FAQs About Ellicott City, MD Criminal Defense Laws

How Do You Avoid Conviction for a Crime?

The criminal justice system in the United States hinges on the belief that the accused is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and the prosecution bringing charges against a defendant has the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt. Your Ellicott City criminal defense lawyer can help you avoid conviction by attacking the prosecution’s evidence, presenting exculpatory evidence and testimony, and establishing an alibi for you.

Can I Have My Penalty Reduced After Conviction?

Yes, it is possible for your attorney to help secure a plea deal or present arguments to the judge for leniency in sentencing. If a defendant is clearly guilty, the prosecution may be willing to offer a plea deal that exchanges an immediate guilty plea for lighter sentencing. Your Ellicott City criminal defense attorney can help determine your most viable options for reducing your penalties.

What Is the Necessity Defense?

It is possible for the necessity of defense to arise in many types of criminal cases. Essentially, the defense is asserted when a defendant needs to commit the act to prevent greater harm from occurring. For example, if you shoved another person or struck them to prevent them from seriously harming another person or yourself, it would be an example of the necessity defense.

Can I Go to Jail for Something I Did Years Ago?

Yes, it is possible for an individual to face criminal charges for an offense they allegedly committed years prior. There is a statute of limitations for most types of crimes, and many states acknowledge different statutes of limitations for certain offenses. Typically, nonviolent crimes have a much shorter statute of limitations than violent crimes, especially sex crimes that can often be prosecuted years or even decades after an offense allegedly occurred.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Ellicott City Defense Attorney?

Most criminal defense attorneys throughout the state accept clients with hourly fees, meaning the more time the attorney spends working on a case, the more it costs the client. Always verify a prospective attorney’s billing policy before you agree to their representation so there are no surprises when it comes to the cost of their legal counsel.

The team at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, can provide comprehensive and aggressive defense representation no matter what type of charges you face in Ellicott City. Whether you have been arrested for the first time or you have a record of past criminal convictions, we are confident in our ability to address the unique details of your impending criminal case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an Ellicott City criminal defense lawyer.