Howard County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Howard County Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested on a criminal charge, it can feel challenging to find a way to move forward. A Howard County criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, is here to help. Our team is dedicated to advocating and pressing for an ideal outcome for our client’s cases, no matter the circumstances of the charge.

Having a strong defense team by your side can be the deciding factor of a positive or negative result. There is no reason you have to enter into this battle on your own, as our team is eager to understand your circumstances and build a strong defense case alongside you. If you are facing criminal charges in Howard County, reach out to our experienced criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible.

How A Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

Criminal defense lawyers play a unique and crucial role in representing individuals accused of committing a crime. Their primary goal is to ensure their client’s rights are protected and receive a fair trial. The following are several ways they can help:

• Legal Advice and Strategy: Attorneys uphold an important role, providing legal advice to the accused regarding the potential consequences of the charges they are facing as well as their rights within the trial. They develop legal strategies that are unique to the specific circumstances of the case and anticipate and respond to the evidence and arguments of the prosecution.
• Investigation: By reviewing police reports, witness statements, and all other relevant documentation, attorneys will identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case while strengthening their case in their client’s interests.
• Negotiation: A lawyer will advocate and negotiate for favorable outcomes with the prosecution and fight to cancel or reduce charges and lessen the sentence determined. Attorneys understand how to navigate the courtroom and can often push for alternative options to incarceration, such as community service or probation.
• Courtroom Representation: Attorneys will represent the accused in all court-related activities such as proceedings, bail hearings, pretrial motions, and trial.
• Appeals: Lawyers will handle the filing of appeals, if necessary, which will challenge the verdict in higher courts.
• Client Support: All throughout the process, lawyers look to provide emotional support and legal guidance for their clients. They uniquely understand how challenging this time is and hope to lessen any worry and reduce the stress of fighting a criminal charge. If you have ongoing questions or concerns, attorneys are there to meet these needs and requests.

If you have wondered if hiring an experienced and skilled attorney can be essential to your case, the answer is yes. They can ensure you have a robust defense plan and safeguard your rights as the accused party. Defense attorneys are not easily threatened by the prosecution and have proven tactics to not back down.

Criminal Defense Process

While the criminal defense process varies based on jurisdiction and the specific details of each case, it will generally follow similar steps. The following outlines this general process:

• Arrest: The initial step in a criminal defense process starts with the arrest of the accused. Depending on the circumstances of the crime, an arrest can happen with or without a warrant.
• Booking: Booking is when the arrested individual is taken to a police station for recording personal data such as fingerprinting and photographs and initiating a background check.
• Initial Appearance: The charges are formally presented by a judge or magistrate in an initial appearance. The accused is informed of their rights and if bail is an option at this stage of the process.
• Arraignment: After the charges are formally presented to the accused, they are asked to enter a plea. This plea will state if the accused is stating they are guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Defense attorneys are also appointed at this stage of the process.
• Pretrial Proceedings: This stage allows the prosecution and defense sides to engage in the exchange of evidence and information. These pretrial proceedings allow each side a chance to ask that evidence be dismissed due to invalidity and also a chance for the dismissal of all charges.
• Plea Bargaining: The defense and prosecution can then negotiate a plea bargain. This is where the accused will agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced criminal sentence. This will often occur pretrial.
• Trial: If the plea agreement is not offered or agreed upon, the case will proceed to trial. Both sides of the case will share their arguments with the judge and jury, sharing evidence and calling upon witnesses, and the judge and jury will determine innocence or guilt.
• Sentencing: A separate sentence hearing is held if the accused pleads or is found guilty, where the judge determines appropriate punishment for the crime. Punishment can include probation, fines, community service, and incarceration.
• Appeals: The defense has an opportunity to file an appeal to a higher court if they are dissatisfied or in disagreement with the sentence or verdict. These courts take time to investigate the case for legal errors or misconduct.
• Post-Conviction Proceedings: If new evidence is discovered or other major changes are made to the case, post-conviction remedies can be pursued by either side of the case.

Consultation from a qualified criminal defense attorney will ensure proper navigation of the complexities of the legal system. A reminder that this is just a general outline, and the specific details of the process will vary depending on local laws, procedures, and the uniqueness of each case.

Common Criminal Charges in Howard County, Maryland

Common criminal charges in Howard County, Maryland, include, but are not limited to, theft, traffic offenses, speeding tickets, reckless driving, assault, DUI, and sex and drug crimes. While each charge has varying degrees of severity, these crimes are taken seriously in Maryland, even if just suspected. Law enforcement does not always require a warrant for arrest if the accusations are severe enough.

Theft charges can involve different forms of shoplifting, stealing, burglary, or larceny. Factors such as the method of theft (brute force or breaking and entering) or the value of theft are considered during a criminal trial and can affect the ultimate sentencing of a case.

Vehicle-related crimes such as traffic offenses, speeding, DUI, and reckless driving can all have differing penalties. These penalties can range from minor citations to jail sentences.

Assault, sex crimes, and drug crimes are all taken very seriously in Howard County. The severity of these charges tends to be much higher and often depends not only on the outcome of the crime but also on the intent, even if the crime was not fully followed through.

FAQs About Howard County, MD Criminal Defense Law

What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Cost in Howard County, MD?

The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer in MD can vary due to the lawyer’s experience, specific terms of the case, and reputation. A lawyer can generally charge between $2,500 and $25,000, depending on the specifics of a case. Before agreeing to work with a criminal defense attorney, spend time understanding the payment requirements and structures. Many attorneys want to meet their clients where they are financially, by offering sliding scales and payment plans.

What Is Considered First-Degree Assault in MD?

1st-degree assault refers to the intentional serious harm, injury, or attempted injury of another person. A serious injury is defined as anything that causes prolonged loss of function or impairment to a bodily member or organ. Any intentionally harmful assault caused by a firearm also falls into this category.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Criminal Assault in Howard County, MD?

The statute of limitations on criminal assault in Maryland is one year from the date of the incident. If you are unable to pursue criminal charges for an assault matter within that year, it is helpful to still seek legal counsel as there are, at times, exceptions to this statute.

How Many Years Can You Get for a Maryland Criminal Conviction?

The amount of required jail time varies with each criminal conviction. There are general maximum sentences related to specific crimes, but the time given by the court will ultimately be contingent on the specifics of each case. It is crucial to have a skilled criminal defense lawyer at your side for support.

Free Consultation With a Howard County Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are seeking a Howard County criminal defense lawyer, the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, has got you covered. No matter your circumstance, every individual deserves the right to a fair trial and a solid, skillfully presented defense. Our team has criminal defense lawyers with significant experience in this specific law sector and hopes to offer their knowledge to strengthen and uphold your case.

Contact our law office today to set up a free consultation and share your story with us. We offer empathetic and realistic counsel that will provide you with a deeper understanding of your next steps and a plan for moving forward. We look forward to hearing from you.