Warnken, LLC--Maryland Lawyer

Maryland Criminal Trials

If you have been charged with a crime in Maryland, without a good Maryland Lawyer, you are faced with the proposition of either taking a deal (a plea-bargain) or going to trial. However, before a case ever get from arrest to criminal trial, a good attorney has a chance of getting the case dismissed. That, when it’s possible, is what Warnken, LLC tries to do for our clients. Criminal trials in Maryland can be Federal or State and "Adult" or Juvenile. Go to Federal Criminal Trials in Maryland for more information about the feds or go to Maryland Juvenile Cases for more info about Juvy. Assuming you are an adult and your case will be in State court, here’s how Maryland Criminal Trials break down:

District Courts in Maryland:

District courts are non-jury courts of limited jurisdiction. Maryland has 24 political subdivisions (23 counties and Baltimore City) and 24 District Courts. Examples are the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City and the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County. Most counties have multiple locations for the District Court. For example, the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County has three locations in Towson, Catonsville, and Essex. Maryland District Courts will deal with motor vehicle laws like traffic tickets and vehicle offenses. District Court also has exclusive subject matter jurisdiction over misdemeanors with penalty less than three years or $2,500.

Sometimes there is Concurrent jurisdiction, meaning either District Court or Circuit Court can handle the case. A Maryland Lawyer from Warnken, LLC can help find the most favorable venue for your case. District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Court for misdemeanors punishable by more than three years incarceration or more than a $2,500 fine. There is also concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Court over felony theft, felony bad check offenses, felony credit card offenses, and forgery. Warnken, LLC deals with Maryland District Court Cases all the time. Give us a call at 410-262-8341 if we can help you with yours.

Circuit Courts in Maryland:

In Maryland Criminal Trials, Circuit Court will handle the case if there is a jury trial. A defendant is entitled to a jury trial when there is potential incarceration, unless the defendant makes a knowing and intelligent waiver on the record in open court. A Maryland Lawyer helps clients navigate these tough stages of the process. Because there are no jury trials in District Court, if the potential sentence exceeds 90 days on any count, defendant may demand a jury trial, which immediately puts the case in Maryland Circuit Court. You may not be sure what court your criminal case (or your loved one’s Maryland Criminal Case) will be in. That’s not a problem, the experienced Maryland Lawyers of Warnken, LLC can help you with that. In fact, it is best to call as soon as possible after an arrest! You can reach us at 410-262-8341.

Maryland Criminal Jury Instructions
Criminal Law & Practice
Bail Bond Studies
Warnken Report on Pretrial Release

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This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. © Byron Warnken