Calvert County Maryland Criminal Lawyer
The Law of Robert R. Castro has been representing clients in southern Maryland in civil and criminal cases for many years. If you are a defendant in a criminal case, it is important to have an experienced Calvert County Maryland criminal attorney representing you; in fact, the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by an attorney if you are accused of a crime. You should choose a Calvert County Maryland criminal lawyer who knows the law inside and out and who has been part of our community in southern Maryland for decades. Therefore, the best criminal lawyer in Calvert County Maryland that you can choose to represent you in your case is one from the Law Office of Robert R. Castro.
Calvert County Maryland Criminal Lawyer
Simply getting a criminal conviction on your record is a source of emotional and financial stress for years to come, even if you do not get a prison sentence. Lawmakers and voters have realized that keeping people incarcerated is a waste of taxpayer money and does little to prevent crime, but the alternatives, such as probation, home detention, and GPS monitoring, are costly, too, except that, if you receive one of these as part of your sentence, you are the one paying for your own punishment. Even after you complete your sentence, the record of the conviction can still cause you financial problems. For example, it appears on background checks when you apply for a job or to lease an apartment or house.
Meanwhile, the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prevents excessive financial penalties and cruel and unusual punishment. Often, there is a big difference between what is fair and how the criminal justice system can get away with treating you, unless your criminal defense lawyer is there to stand up for your rights at every step of the way. These are just a few ways that your lawyer can help you:
- Showing that the police were not within their rights to arrest you or search your property, thus requiring that the state drop the charges against you
- Making the case that you should be allowed to be free until your trial, with or without cash bail
- Ensuring that the jurors at your trial are unbiased
- Stopping the prosecution from presenting false or unlawfully obtained evidence at your trial
- Ensuring that the prosecution informs you of any evidence they find that can help your case
- Persuade the court to allow you to present evidence at your trial that points to your innocence or establishes reasonable doubt about your guilt
- Negotiating a plea deal where you can reduce your charges (such as pleading guilty to a misdemeanor and getting the felony charges dropped) or reducing your sentence (such as pleading guilty and getting probation instead of being convicted at trial and going to prison)
One of your most important rights as an American citizen is your right to a lawyer if you are accused of a crime. It is one of the most important foundations of our democracy, along with the age-old tenet: “Innocent until proven guilty.” If you are facing charges, you need to take full advantage of these protections and get in touch with a Calvert County criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. With help from the Law Office of Robert Castro, you can defend yourself while pushing back against excessive penalties. Your choice of a defense lawyer can be the difference between incarceration and freedom.
Private Defense Lawyers vs. Public Defenders
One of the first choices you will need to make is whether you want to work with a public defender or a private defense attorney. There are pros and cons to both options. First of all, a public defender is free. For defendants without access to sufficient funds, this may be their only option. Public defenders are skilled attorneys who are employed by the state. While there’s nothing wrong with working with a public defender if it is your only option, there are a few issues you need to be aware of.
Because a public defender is employed by the state, they never have to worry about their reputations. Even if they have a terrible record of failing to provide their clients with results, they never run the risk of losing their jobs. Because public defenders are employed by the state, they are also more inclined to work closely with the prosecution. As a result, most public defenders push for plea deals, encouraging their clients to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence. Sometimes, this is the best option – but in other situations, there may have been an opportunity to plead not guilty and avoid consequences entirely.
On the other hand, private defense attorneys are incentivized to provide results because they are running private law offices. If they fail to provide results, no one will hire them – and their law office might even go out of business. The age-old laws of market competition ensure that only the best private defense lawyers can thrive, which means that these lawyers care about their reputations. While private defense lawyers are not free, they are also more likely to explore more possibilities for defense strategies instead of simply encouraging you to take a plea deal.
Common Criminal Defense Cases
Common criminal defense cases include:
- DUIs and DWI: Driving Under the Influence and Driving While Intoxicated are common crimes in Maryland. A defense lawyer can help you mitigate any consequences you might be facing – whether it is your first offense or you are a repeat offender. There are many potential defense strategies when it comes to DUIS. For example, Breathalyzer test results can be challenged.
- Domestic Violence: Domestic violence charges are also quite common, and they can lead to serious legal consequences. The truth is that many of these incidents are completely fabricated by spiteful spouses approaching divorce.
- Assault: Sometimes, arguments get out of hand. A criminal defense lawyer can help you have your charges reduced, helping you avoid the most serious penalties when it comes to assault.
- Theft: Economic pressures have led many individuals to desperate actions. Shoplifting, grand theft auto, and burglary are just a few examples of crimes related to theft. Get in touch with a defense lawyer as soon as possible to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
- Gun Charges: Maryland’s gun laws are constantly changing, and sometimes it can be difficult to keep up. A simple mistake or a missed piece of paperwork can lead to serious consequences if you are not careful. Fortunately, a defense lawyer can help you clear up these issues and mitigate penalties.
Who Can Help Me with My Charges in Calvert County?
If you have been searching for a criminal lawyer in Calvert County, look no further than the Law Office of Robert Castro. Over the years, we have helped numerous defendants in Maryland pursue the best possible outcomes. We know that facing criminal charges can be incredibly daunting – especially if you know for a fact you did nothing wrong. With our help, you can fight for your rights and push back with a solid defense strategy. Time is of the essence, so book your consultation today to get started.
For more information or questions, contact the Law Office of Robert Castro to speak to an experienced lawyer at (301) 705-5137. The Law Office of Robert Castro is located at 2670 Crain Highway #411, Waldorf, MD 20601.