Ocean City Criminal Law FAQs

Once you are placed under arrest, do not resist, as this could result in additional criminal charges. Instead, you should exercise your right to remain silent, as anything you say in custody could be used as evidence by the prosecution.

Remember that you have a right to have an attorney present during interrogation. As soon as you have been taken into custody, you should arrange to call a defense lawyer who can speak with you privately.

Defendants in criminal cases have the option of representing themselves in court. However, this is not advisable in a vast majority of cases, as prosecutors can exploit a defendant's lack of legal knowledge to secure a conviction.

Both misdemeanors and felonies are visible on your criminal record. However, felony offenses are much more serious, and they generally come with longer prison sentences and higher fines. Additionally, getting convicted of a felony in Maryland will result in the loss of your right to own a gun.

Some crimes can be prosecuted by the federal government based on violations of federal laws or offenses that affect people in multiple states. Federal crimes often carry stricter punishments compared to their state equivalents.

Federal charges often apply when an offense crosses state lines, such as drug trafficking. The federal government may also get involved in cases that involve the internet or the use of the postal service.

You can have certain criminal records erased from public and private records through expungement. However, there may be a long waiting period to get an expungement after you have served your sentence. Our attorneys can help you petition for expungement by filing the required paperwork with the courts.

In Maryland, a conviction of a misdemeanor drunk driving offense like DUI or DWI is punishable by jail time. Most first offenders are not punished with jail time, but a judge may be more likely to sentence you to incarceration if somebody else was injured or killed.

In Maryland, you cannot be pulled over by a law enforcement officer without reasonable suspicion that a violation has been committed. For example, if you were swerving between lanes or ignoring traffic signs, an officer might have reasonable suspicion to pull you over for driving under the influence.

If you were pulled over without reasonable suspicion, the evidence against you could be removed, weakening the prosecution's case. Other violations of your rights, such as refusing to allow you to speak to an attorney, may also be raised during your case.