Montgomery County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Facing charges can be scary and requires the help of a Montgomery County Criminal Defense Lawyer. Contact Scrofano Law PC today for assistance and advice.
Maryland Criminal Lawyer in Montgomery County
Being charged with a crime and facing the possibility of a criminal trial can be an overwhelming and complicated experience. To understand your criminal case’s charges and defense options, it is necessary to seek the advice of a Montgomery County criminal defense attorney.
The Montgomery County, MD criminal defense lawyers at Scrofano Law can provide you with legal counsel to ensure your rights are respected and that you are treated fairly.
Types of Cases Handled by Scrofano Law
Paolo Gnocchi of Scrofano Law represents clients across a wide range of criminal charges under the Maryland Criminal Code, including but not limited to:
- Assault
- Criminal defense
- Domestic violence
- DUI defense
- Drug crimes
- Fake ID
- Prostitution
- Theft
- Weapons offenses
Get in touch with us for a free consultation.
Misdemeanors and Felonies: What’s the Difference?
Criminal defense options can drastically change based on the difference between misdemeanor and felony charges.
Because state and federal law characterize misdemeanor crimes differently, determining which crimes constitute which offense can be challenging.
Felonies
A felony is considered a serious crime by both Maryland and the Federal Government. Federal law considers any crime that carries more than one year of imprisonment a felony. Accordingly, Maryland’s felony charges carry greater fines and harsher penalties ranging from one year to life in prison as well as the death penalty.
Examples of criminal law felonies are:
- Second-degree murder
- Manslaughter
- Robbery or attempted robbery involving personal injury
- Burglary
- Arson
- Theft of property valued at over $1, 500
- Aggravated assault or battery on a police officer
- Possession, manufacture, and distribution of controlled substances
- Kidnapping
- Sex offender crimes such as rape and sexual assault
- Some white-collar crimes
Misdemeanors
The Maryland and federal law codes treat misdemeanor crimes as less serious than felony offenses. The punishment for misdemeanors is usually fines, probation, and/or a maximum of twelve months in prison.
Examples of misdemeanor charges in Montgomery County include:
- Possession of a controlled dangerous substance
- Assault
- Theft or shoplifting under $1,500 in value
- Drunk driving (DUI/DWI)
- Reckless driving and other traffic offenses
- Driving with no license or with an expired license
- Disorderly conduct
- Public intoxication
- Trespassing
- Resisting arrest
Despite the less severe punishment, you need an experienced Montgomery County criminal lawyer to represent you for misdemeanor charges.
Why Would I need an attorney for a criminal law case in Montgomery County?
The importance of working with an experienced criminal defense lawyer when defending yourself against criminal charges cannot be overstated.
Prosecutors can sometimes be overly aggressive in pursuing convictions, which can be intimidating and overwhelming for defendants.
It is important that you hire a lawyer with knowledge of criminal law so that they can craft a criminal defense strategy that will help you get the best possible outcome.
Montgomery County criminal lawyers can protect your rights and ensure that the prosecutor and court personnel follow the proper procedure throughout the legal process.
You will receive invaluable legal guidance throughout your case from experienced criminal defense attorneys at Scrofano Law.
Additionally, the penalties you face may go beyond the state’s formal punishment. The severity of most crimes may result in hefty legal fees and loss of your civil rights due to a criminal conviction.
With a criminal record, it may be difficult to find employment in specific fields or rent a home. You may also lose custody of your children if you have a criminal record.
Your attorney will be able to provide the legal representation you need; check Maryland criminal records and ensure that they protect your reputation from harmful criminal sentences.
What to Do After Being Arrested in Montgomery County
Contact a Montgomery County criminal defense lawyer for a free consultation if you have been arrested in Montgomery County, MD. Your criminal lawyer will review the evidence in your case, explain the potential punishments you may face, and work hard to get the case dismissed or the charges reduced.
In addition to consulting with a criminal lawyer, it is important that you remain silent and not answer any questions from the police or other law enforcement authorities. Whatever you say could be used to convict you in court, and it is best to remain silent to ensure your rights are respected.
What Are the Possible Defenses Our Lawyers Could Use to Fight Your Charges?
Your Montgomery County criminal defense lawyer will be able to evaluate the evidence in your case and determine the best defense strategy to use. Possible defense strategies include, but are not limited to:
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Challenging the validity of the evidence
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Arguing that the defendant’s rights were violated during the arrest or investigation
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Arguing that the defendant was not the one who committed the crime
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Claiming that the defendant was acting in out of necessity
To ensure the best possible outcome under Maryland criminal laws, your criminal defense attorney will explain the specific defenses to create reasonable doubt that apply to your criminal case. Our team of lawyers will work with you to develop a defense strategy or negotiate a plea deal.
Schedule a free consultation today with Scrofano Law, to get started with your criminal defense.
Why Hire Scrofano MD Criminal Defense Attorneys?
When it comes to criminal defense, hiring an experienced and knowledgeable attorney is crucial. At Scrofano Law, we have years of experience in the field and have represented clients in various criminal cases. Our attorneys are highly skilled and knowledgeable and will work hard to ensure that your rights are respected and that you get the best possible outcome.
If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges, contact our law firm today to discuss your case and learn how we can help.
NEED AN ATTORNEY?
We fight for your rights!
Paolo Gnocchi is an excellent attorney. He offered sound advice and thoroughly explained the court process. If you are looking for professional representation and a reliable attorney that will advocate for you, Paolo is your guy. Joseph Scrofano and his team are all dedicated individuals. Hopefully I never need a criminal defense attorney again LOL, but if I do, Scrofano Law would be my choice!
Paolo and this firm are top notch. They need to be thankful to have him on the team. Can’t put into words how amazing Paolo was and how thankful I am. He fought for me and succeeded. 5 stars!
Joe is amazing! Here’s the hard truth:
- 99% of cases that go court in DC end in convictions
- Last year there were 120 cases in DC and the conviction rate was 100%
Here is the good news, Joe represents people in DC and knows what he is doing! When I was charged with a crime that I didn’t commit, Joe went to work. Three years, a grueling court case, and one long battle later, I got to hear the words, “not guilty!” Joe didn’t just collect a retainer and show up on court date. He scrutinized every document in the case, subpoenaed the information he needed, and presented a perfect case of facts!
When you need someone that will fight for you and can actually win, Joe is the guy!!