Essex Criminal Attorney
Being charged with a crime in Maryland, even a minor one, is a very serious matter. Some criminal offenses are less serious than others and only involve minimal to no jail time, while others carry the possibility of a life prison sentence. All crimes result in personal consequences that can go beyond the sentence you may be facing. If you have been charged with a crime in Essex, MD, hiring a skilled Essex criminal lawyer to represent you and explore your legal options should be your first call.
Charges An Essex Criminal Attorney Can Help With
Essex is a relatively small city in Baltimore County, Maryland, with a population of just below 40,000 according to the 2010 census. Even in such a small city, criminal activity still can and does occur. Essex criminal lawyers can help individuals charged with any number of criminal offenses, including:
- Assault
- Theft
- DUI or DWI
- Sex Offenses
- Gun Charges
- Drug Offenses
Criminal Charges In Essex, Maryland
Felonies are considered more serious and carry stiffer jail sentences, with the possibility of life in prison.
A crime can still be considered a felony if no one was injured or if the crime didn’t involve violence at all. For example, if you steal a car worth $30,000, you could face a felony charge, even if no one was injured and the theft of that car did not involve any kind of violence. Automobile theft is classified as a specific type of theft and the charge is escalated.
How Do Essex Courts Determine Punishments For Crimes?
If you are found guilty of a crime or plead guilty to a crime, there is a specific procedure in place and the judge will determine your punishment. As part of this procedure, the judge will follow guidelines to help determine the length of your sentence. There are many factors that can contribute to the length of a prison sentence and other penalties. Some of the contributing factors are:
- The maximum or minimum sentences allowed under the statute
- Any prior offenses
- The severity of the crime (a misdemeanor theft charge for an item under $100 will not involve the same punishment as the theft of something worth $5,000)
- Victim impact.
Criminal sentences can range from probation to a few days in jail to life in prison without possibility of parole. Convicted felons face difficulties even after they are finished serving their sentences. Finding employment is difficult, as is securing housing, or obtaining credit. Given Maryland’s close proximity to our nation’s capital, many individuals who work for the federal government may have difficulty gaining security clearances, which are necessary for maintaining employment in certain offices. A conviction for a sex crime would mean having to register as a sex offender even after your sentence has been served.
An Essex Criminal Attorney Can Help
If you have been charged with a crime in Essex, Md. it is important to hire an Essex criminal lawyer immediately. Jonathan Newton has extensive experience defending a wide variety of criminal charges and can tailor the defense to your particular case. Call his law office today to set up your free consultation.
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MARYLAND DUI LAWYER
- Boating Under the Influence
- Challenging a DUI with Property Damage or a Personal Injury
- Challenging Blood Tests
- Following Arrest
- Interlock Ignition Devices
- Long-Term Consequences
- CDL
- Driving While Impaired (DWI)
- Driving Without a License
- Arrests
- Drug
- Penalties
- Stops
- Substance Abuse Evaluations
- Trials
- DUI On Probation
- Out of State
- First Offense
- MVA Hearings
- Second Offense
- Third Offense
- Underage
- Underage DUI
- Prosecuting a DUI Case