What is Considered a Violent Crime in Maryland?

If you or a loved one has been charged with a violent crime in Maryland, it is imperative that you retain a skilled Maryland criminal defense attorney. Violent crimes are felonies, and a conviction can have a serious impact on your life, including your ability to get a job, apply for loans, rent an apartment, and more.

Some people are hesitant to spend the money on a defense attorney, but without the best representation possible, it can jeopardize your case. You want an attorney who is aggressive, knowledgeable, and can help either get the charges reduced or even dismissed in some cases. If your case does proceed to trial, having a defense attorney with extensive litigation experience is key.

The Maryland criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Robert R. Castro have years of experience helping clients fight for their freedom in a variety of criminal cases, including violent crimes.

Examples of Violent Crimes in Maryland

There is a wide range of charges that can be considered violent crimes in Maryland. Some of the more common charges we represent clients for include, but are not limited to:

• Rape: Rape means forcing another person to have sexual intercourse against his or her will. The charge of rape involves multiple elements — penetration, with someone else, with the threat or use of force, with no consent from the victim, and it is against their will. In certain cases, you can be charged with rape without the element of force. For example, if the victim was physically helpless or mentally incapacitated. A conviction of second-degree rape can carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. There is also first-degree rape that carries a life sentence in the event there are aggravating factors, like use of a deadly weapon.
• Assault: First degree assault is when the offender intentionally inflicts or attempts to inflict serious physical harm to another person. In this case, serious physical harm is one that creates a significant potential of death or results in serious disfigurement or permanent damage to someone’s bodily organ. A conviction for first degree assault can carry a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
• Manslaughter: A charge for manslaughter can either be involuntary or voluntary. Voluntary carries the element of intent. A conviction for voluntary manslaughter can carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
• Murder: There are different degrees of murder, including first degree and second degree. There is also felony murder. First degree murder is pre-planned with intentional killing, which can result in life in prison without the possibility of parole. Felony-murder is when an offender commits a felony and kills someone during the act of that crime. An example might be a burglary or carjacking. Felony murder is considered first degree murder. Second degree murder is typically an unplanned killing, but there is the knowledge that it can happen. The offender chooses to disregard the risks and commit the act anyway. Second-degree murder can carry a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

Contact a Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one has been charged with a violent crime in Maryland, contact the Law Office of Robert R. Castro at 301-705-5137 to schedule an initial consultation.