Silver Spring Criminal
Lawyer
Understanding the Silver Spring Crime Rate
Silver Spring is a census-designated place located just outside of Washington, DC, with a population of roughly 80,000 people according to most recent data. It has a number of shops and restaurants and a busy nightlife that makes it a prime target for arrests.
Getting arrested often leads to a criminal charge in Montgomery County. Attorney Paolo Gnocchi of Scrofano Law is an experienced DUI and criminal defense lawyer who aggressively represents individuals facing criminal charges in Silver Spring, Maryland. If you or a loved one has been charged with or arrested for a Silver Spring MD criminal offense, read on to learn about the city’s crime rate, criminal justice system, and your rights and options, or contact our office today for a consultation.
How Can a Silver Spring Criminal Lawyer Help with Common Criminal Offenses?
Although Silver Spring, MD is safer than only 34% of US cities and has higher property crime rates than most places, its violent crime rate is lower than that of the state of Maryland, at 2.04 and 4.69 per 1,000 residents, respectively. However, the area’s relatively high crime rates tend to come with a greater police presence, which can increase a person’s odds of being unfairly arrested.
It is common that arrests for the following criminal offenses occur in Silver Spring, Maryland:
- Assault
- Disorderly Conduct
- Domestic Violence
- Drug Offenses
- DUI
- Fake ID
- Gun Offenses
- Prostitution
- Public Intoxication
- Reckless Driving
- Reckless Endangerment
- Revenge Porn
- Sex Offenses
- Stalking
- Theft Offenses
If you are facing an arrest or criminal charges for any of the above criminal offenses in Silver Spring, Maryland, a criminal defense attorney Paolo Gnocchi is prepared to stand by your side and fight for your freedom. The earlier you seek advice from a criminal defense attorney, the greater are your chances of avoiding any mistakes that can put your case in jeopardy.
What to Do if You’re Arrested for a Silver Spring Crime
Getting arrested can be a terrifying experience, but Silver Spring criminal defense attorney Paolo Gnocchi is here to help. If you or a loved one has been arrested for a criminal offense, first steps can make all the difference in the outcome of criminal cases.
The main police agency making arrests in Silver Spring is the Montgomery County Police Department (“MCPD”). The main police department in Silver Spring is the MCPD Third District Station:
Third District Station
1002 Milestone Drive
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
Getting arrested in Silver Spring would likely lead to booking at the MCPD Third District Station. It is located on Milestone Drive between Columbia Pike and New Hampshire Avenue. The closest Metro station is Silver Spring on the Red Line.
In addition to MCPD, Maryland State Police have jurisdiction to make arrests in Silver Spring. The closest Maryland State Police Barracks is in Rockville, which is about 25 minutes away by car.
What Happens After an Arrest?
When someone is arrested, police will typically put them in handcuffs, fingerprint them, and take a mugshot. Police also have to process paperwork before someone can be released. This can take some time, so when someone you know gets arrested, it can often be difficult to figure out where they will be taken and when they will be released.
If you know where your loved one has been taken after their arrest, the Third District Station can be reached at 240-773-6800, while the Maryland State Police Barracks in Rockville can be reached at 301-424-2101.
After contacting a criminal defense attorney following an arrest, the first thing that he or she will do is create a wall of separation between the suspect and the investigators since it’s all too easy for a suspect to do permanent damage to his or her case prior to seeking advice from a lawyer. Many suspects believe that they are smooth enough to talk their way out of their charges when meeting alone with an investigator, but investigators are highly trained in the science of interrogation. They might capture a suspect unintentionally making inconsistent statements or revealing non-verbal indications of deceptiveness, even while the suspect believes that they are succeeding.
Law enforcement officers also tend to believe that an unrepresented suspect’s decision to assert his or her right to stay silent is evidence of guilt. This may affect law enforcement’s choice as to whether to charge a suspect and what to charge him or her with. When a lawyer advises their client to stay silent, police just see this as standard procedure instead of a sign of guilt.
Further, a criminal defense lawyer can negotiate with the district attorney’s office or police investigator with regard to which criminal charges will eventually be filed. The preliminary charges will play a significant role in your legal options and the severity of your potential penalties after charges have been filed.
How Can Silver Spring Criminal Lawyers Help?
Whatever charges you are facing, having an experienced criminal lawyer by your side is crucial. Don’t assume all of your rights will be recognized and that you will be treated fairly.
Consequences of criminal charges, regardless of whether they include misdemeanor or felony charges, can be severe and include harsh fines and jail time if they result in a criminal conviction.
In addition to these penalties, Maryland criminal convictions carry other sanctions. For example, in drunk driving cases, individuals may face license suspension and increased insurance rates.
However, the first step to solving your DUI crisis or arrest is to work with an attorney prior to speaking with the police. Contacting a qualified and experienced criminal defense and DUI lawyer can help you locate your friend or loved one to figure out where they are and when they will get released. If the suspect themselves contacts an attorney following an arrest, the attorney can begin developing a comprehensive defense strategy.
Individuals who have a Maryland criminal conviction on their record, even if they were not involved in felony cases but convicted of lighter misdemeanor charges, can have trouble finding or keeping a job, getting loans, or the education they want.
That is why obtaining legal assistance from Silver Spring criminal lawyers is important. If you or a loved one has been arrested, please call our law firm as soon as possible at 301-200-5684.
What Happens After Being Charged With a Crime?
Once you have been charged with a crime in Silver Spring, MD, you will be given a court date at one of the area’s numerous courts.
Maryland state courts are divided by county. Within each county, there is a Circuit Court and District Court. Many cases originate from the District Court while other more serious felony matters may originate from the Circuit Court. In District Court cases, there is no jury demand. In other words, the defendant’s trial will occur only before a judge and the judge, rather than a jury of the defendant’s peers, will decide guilt or innocence. So retaining trusted Silver Spring criminal lawyers in these cases, becomes even more paramount.
In Montgomery County, there is one Circuit Court:
Montgomery County Circuit Court
50 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Phone Number: (240) 777-9400
However, there are two District Courts, including one in Rockville and one in Silver Spring:
District Court for Montgomery County (06-01)
191 East Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone Number: 301-563-8800
District Court for Montgomery County (06-02)
8552 Second Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone Number: 301-563-8500
If a defendant has a trial in District Court, they can appeal the case to Circuit Court. Such an appeal can lead to the defendant getting a whole new trial. Your attorney can assist with both the initial trial and the appeals process, if necessary.
Having an attorney by your side throughout the court process is just as important as consulting one immediately after your arrest. Offering years of experience both in and out of the courtroom, excellent criminal lawyers understand the ins and outs of criminal law, which allows them to evaluate a case and figure out whether the person has a decent chance at fighting their charges.
While people can sometimes represent themselves and win, it’s unusual and extremely risky. Regular people do not handle criminal law every day and have not invested years of their lives into studying it. Silver Spring criminal lawyers like Paolo Gnocchi or those at Scrofano Law do and have, and this is what makes them so vital to protecting your rights, freedom, and future.
Criminal law is not cut-and-dried; there are numerous variables and elements of each case that need to be considered. Cases often get dismissed due to the fact that proper legal procedures were not followed during the arrest. Our law firm has extensive experience handling cases in which evidence that might be damaging to the case has been rendered unusable after we discovered a specific law or legal process that permits it. If there is no possibility of the accused being found innocent, a great criminal lawyer understands how to strike deals and work out lower sentences.
Helping Silver Spring Residents with Their Criminal Defense Matters
While, in theory, following the law should keep you from getting entangled with criminal offenses and law enforcement, the unfortunate truth is that unfair arrests happen every day in Maryland. The area in which you reside or spend most of your time often plays a large part in your odds of being arrested. This becomes crystal clear when looking at the Silver Spring MD crime map. Crime, and subsequently, arrests, is highest in Silver Springs’ Downtown area, with arrests being less common in quieter, more suburban areas.
Contact a Silver Spring DUI Lawyer Today
When faced with a criminal charge such as DUI, you are not alone. Attorney Paolo Gnocchi and the Scrofano Law team know that it’s all too easy for good people to fall into bad situations that can destroy their future in an instant. This mindset is evident in everything we do, and we are committed to fighting for justice and leveling the dangerous power dynamic that’s all too common between the accused and the criminal justice system.
Because any arrest and criminal charge are serious, it’s important to hire an aggressive Silver Spring criminal defense lawyer as soon as you are aware of your charges. Whether charged with DUI, assault, domestic violence, gun or drug crimes, or other offenses, attorney Paolo Gnocchi can advise you of what immediate steps you should take in advance of your court date. In addition, she can provide you with an overview of possible defenses and a range of potential outcomes for the case. Contact us today to set up an initial consultation, where we will discuss your rights and your options.
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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!!