Maryland Violent Crime Attorney Defending Serious Felony Charges Across Maryland Since 1993 A violent crime charge in Maryland can change your life in hours. Bail, your job, custody, and housing can all be on the line before you ever see a courtroom. If you or someone you love faces this kind of charge, you need a Maryland violent crime attorney who knows what’s at stake. Castro Law Group fights for you from day one. Our firm has handled Maryland criminal defense cases since 1993. From our office in Waldorf, we represent people charged across Charles County, Calvert County, St. Mary’s County, Prince George’s County, and the surrounding region. Call us at (301) 870-1200 for a confidential consultation. What Maryland Law Considers a “Crime of Violence” Maryland doesn’t treat every serious offense the same way. Maryland Criminal Law § 14-101 lists specific offenses as a “crime of violence.” That label triggers mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders. It also takes away a judge’s power to suspend part of those sentences. The statute covers offenses including: Murder Manslaughter (except involuntary) First-degree assault Rape and first- or second-degree sexual offense Robbery and armed carjacking Kidnapping and abduction First-degree arson Home invasion under § 6-202(b) Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony or crime of violence First-degree child abuse Attempts to commit any of the above That list matters because small details can pull a charge into or out of the § 14-101 definition. Second-degree assault, for example, isn’t a “crime of violence” under § 14-101. First-degree assault is, and it carries up to 25 years under § 3-202. One of the first things your attorney should do is look at exactly what’s charged. The right move is often to push for a lesser charge where the facts allow. Penalties for Violent Crime Convictions in Maryland The penalty depends on the charge, but the ceilings are steep: First-degree assault under § 3-202: up to 25 years in prison Second-degree assault under § 3-203: misdemeanor with up to 10 years and a $2,500 fine, with a felony version for assault on a law enforcement officer First-degree murder: life imprisonment, with or without parole eligibility Armed robbery under § 3-403: up to 20 years Use of a firearm in a crime of violence under § 4-204: a mandatory minimum 5-year sentence that can’t be suspended, on top of any other sentence Mandatory minimums under § 14-101 kick in for repeat convictions. A second crime of violence carries at least 10 years. A third means at least 25 years. A fourth means life without parole. The court can’t suspend any part of these minimums. A conviction also affects gun rights, job licenses, your status as a non-citizen, and your shot at finding a job or a home for years. How a Maryland Violent Crime Attorney Builds Your Defense These cases rarely come down to one clean piece of proof. They turn on witness credibility, police work, gaps in the timeline, and how the state reads intent. Our work starts with the basics most prosecutors hope the defense skips: Reviewing every body camera and surveillance recording, not just the clips cited in the police report Examining how the stop, search, and arrest were handled, and whether your Fourth, Fifth, or Sixth Amendment rights were violated Interviewing alibi and character witnesses early, before memories fade Challenging forensic evidence and chain-of-custody handling Identifying self-defense, defense of others, or lack-of-intent arguments where the facts support them Pushing to move the charge out of the § 14-101 “crime of violence” category when the facts allow, since that one change can drop mandatory minimums We also look at the alleged victim’s statements over time. Shifting 911 calls, changing accounts, and missing context are common in cases that involve heated disputes, alcohol, or close personal ties. What to Do If You’re Under Investigation or Just Arrested If officers want to talk to you, you have the right to stay silent. You also have the right to an attorney. Use both. Even an honest answer can be turned into a confession on a charging document. Three things to do right away: Don’t talk to police, detectives, or anyone connected to the case without your lawyer present. This includes “informal” conversations. Don’t post about the incident online. Anything you say on social media can and will be pulled into discovery. Call Castro Law Group at (301) 870-1200 as soon as you can. Early legal involvement protects you from missteps that are hard to undo later. We can usually arrange a same-day or next-day consultation. We accept calls about pending arrests, search warrants, and ongoing investigations. The Real-Life Impact of a Violent Crime Charge A charge alone, not a conviction, can affect your life right away. We see clients deal with all of it: Loss of your job or a revoked work license Limits on seeing your children during open family court matters Loss of your home or denial of a new lease Loss of gun rights, even before trial in some cases Immigration risk for non-citizens, including detention or removal Part of our job is to limit this fallout while the case is open. That means careful work on bail conditions, replies to protective orders, and talks with employers when it makes sense. We also work with any related family or immigration matters. What to Expect During the Court Process These cases move through the Maryland court system on a longer track than most misdemeanors. Common stages include: Initial appearance and bail review, often within 24 hours of arrest Preliminary hearing in District Court for felony charges Indictment or information filed in Circuit Court Arraignment and entry of plea Discovery, motions, and pre-trial hearings Plea talks or trial by judge or jury Sentencing, if it goes that far, using Maryland sentencing guidelines for crimes of violence We keep you informed at every step. We explain the strategic choices in plain language. We never push clients into pleas that don’t make sense for their case. Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland Violent Crime Charges Is first-degree assault always considered a crime of violence in Maryland? Yes. First-degree assault under § 3-202 is included in the § 14-101 list of crimes of violence. A conviction can trigger mandatory minimum sentences if you have prior qualifying convictions. The court can’t suspend those minimums. What’s the difference between first-degree and second-degree assault? First-degree assault means intentionally causing or trying to cause serious physical injury, or any assault with a firearm. It’s a felony with up to 25 years in prison. Second-degree assault is usually a misdemeanor with up to 10 years. It can become a felony in specific cases, such as assault on a law enforcement officer. Can I be charged with a violent crime if no one was actually injured? Yes. Maryland allows charges based on attempted harm, threats with a deadly weapon, or assault that creates fear of imminent harm. Actual injury isn’t required to support a charge, but it can affect the degree and the penalty. Do I have to talk to police if they want to question me? No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. A polite refusal is the safest response. You can say, “I want to speak to my lawyer before answering any questions.” Call (301) 870-1200 before any interview. What if the alleged victim wants the charges dropped? The choice to drop or change charges belongs to the State’s Attorney, not the victim. Prosecutors can and often do move forward even when the alleged victim won’t cooperate. Past statements, prior 911 calls, and any physical proof can still carry the case. How long do violent crime charges stay on your record in Maryland? Most felony convictions on the § 14-101 list cannot be expunged in Maryland and stay on your record for life. Some misdemeanor offenses become eligible for expungement after a wait. Most crimes of violence are blocked by statute. We can review your case to confirm what’s open to you. Do you take violent crime cases in Charles County, Calvert County, and St. Mary’s County? Yes. We handle violent crime defense throughout Southern Maryland and statewide. Our Waldorf office serves clients in Charles County, Calvert County, St. Mary’s County, Prince George’s County, and the surrounding region. We appear in courts across the state. Call Castro Law Group About Your Violent Crime Charge A violent crime charge is one of the most serious charges a person can face. The sooner you bring in a defense lawyer, the more options you have. That covers bail, pre-indictment review, and talks with prosecutors before charges are filed or grow. Castro Law Group has defended Maryland clients since 1993. We’ll listen, explain your options in plain language, and build a defense aimed at protecting your freedom, your record, and your future. Call (301) 870-1200 today or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation.
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