Most legal disputes in Maryland are civil, not criminal. A civil case is a disagreement between people, businesses, or organizations over money, property, or rights. A civil law attorney helps you resolve that dispute. Castro Law Group has handled civil matters for clients across Maryland since 1993, and our attorneys bring more than 50 years of combined experience to each case.

Civil law and criminal law are not the same. In a criminal case, the state charges someone with a crime and the penalty can include jail. In a civil case, one side asks the court for money or another remedy. No one goes to jail in a civil case. The person who files the case is the plaintiff. The person who must respond is the defendant.

Civil law covers a wide range of disputes. Common civil matters include contract disagreements, property disputes, business conflicts, debt collection, and personal injury claims. If someone else’s actions hurt you, that injury claim is a civil case too. You can read more about our personal injury work and our family law services, which are both parts of civil law.

Most civil cases follow the same path. It starts with a complaint filed in a Maryland circuit or district court. The other side files an answer. Both sides then trade information in a step called discovery. This is where each side shares documents and answers questions under oath. Many cases settle during or after this stage.

Some cases do go to trial. A judge or a jury hears the facts and decides the outcome. A civil law attorney prepares your evidence, lines up witnesses, and argues your side. Good preparation early often leads to a better result, whether the case settles or goes before a judge.

Maryland law sets a deadline on most civil claims. Under Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 5-101, you usually have three years from the date of the harm to file. Some claims have shorter or longer deadlines. If you wait too long, you can lose the right to sue. That is why it helps to call a civil law attorney early.

Maryland also follows a strict fault rule in injury cases. If you are even one percent at fault, you may recover nothing. The Maryland high court confirmed this rule in Coleman v. Soccer Association of Columbia in 2013. Insurance companies use this rule to deny claims, so strong legal help matters from the very start.

Cost is a fair question to ask. The way you pay depends on the type of case. Some civil matters are handled by the hour. Injury claims are often handled on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. We will explain the fee clearly before you decide to move forward.

Castro Law Group works from our office at 11701 Central Avenue, Suite 200, in Waldorf. We hold a 4.9-star Google rating. We serve clients in Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, Prince George’s, and Anne Arundel counties, plus Washington, DC. Our team also handles criminal defense when a dispute crosses into criminal court.

If you are facing a civil dispute in Maryland, talk with a civil law attorney before your next move. Call Castro Law Group at (301) 870-1200 to discuss your case. You can also read more about our firm and the way we work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between civil and criminal law in Maryland?

In a criminal case, the state charges someone with a crime and the penalty can include jail. In a civil case, one side asks the court for money or another remedy. No one goes to jail in a civil case.

What types of cases does a civil law attorney handle?

Civil law covers contract disagreements, property disputes, business conflicts, debt collection, and personal injury claims. If someone else’s actions hurt you, that injury claim is a civil case too.

How long do I have to file a civil lawsuit in Maryland?

Under Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 5-101, you usually have three years from the date of the harm to file. Some claims have shorter or longer deadlines.

Do you handle civil cases outside Waldorf?

Yes. We serve clients in Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, Prince George’s, and Anne Arundel counties, plus Washington, DC. Call (301) 870-1200 to discuss your case.