Did you know that from around 80,000 federal criminal defendants in 2018, only around 2% went to trial? Pew Research Center analysis revealed about 90% defendants relied on plea bargains.
That speaks volumes about the benefits of legal counsel, even beyond the courtroom. A plea bargain is often preferred over costly trials that offer no guarantee of success. Yet, this route is only successful if you have the support of a qualified lawyer.
Looking for capable lawyers within Maryland? Find one who understands the state’s legal system for the best outcome.
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The Importance of an Expert Lawyer in Maryland
The best way to judge whether your lawyer is capable enough is to test them on state law. Criminal law can vary from one state to another. Maryland’s criminal laws come from both written laws (Annotated Code of Maryland) and past court decisions.
This can have a big impact on how defense strategies are built for certain crimes. In Maryland, expungement rules depend greatly on whether the charges were dropped. They’re also tied to whether it was a misdemeanor or a felony, as well as the time passed.
Other factors such as pretrial detention also work differently in each state. Maryland recently updated its bail laws. Now jail time before trial depends more on the severity of the crime, not whether someone can afford to pay bail.
Moreover, rulings on mandatory minimums for drug crimes and repeat offenses in Maryland differ from those in other states. This stresses the importance of hiring expert Maryland criminal defense lawyers who know local laws as well as how they may be applied in courts.
Red Flags to Avoid
Let’s walk through a few quick litmus tests which can keep incompetent lawyers at bay. Beware of the following red flags;
- 100% Success Rates: Beware of criminal lawyers promising perfection. No attorney can guarantee a future outcome. Sweeping statements like “100% dismissal” or “all cases dropped” are often bait to reel in unsuspecting customers.
- Jack of all Traits: Watch out for lawyers trying to do too much. Perhaps they handle cases in far too many states or promise a specialty in criminal, corporate, and family law all at once. Chances are, they haven’t fully mastered any trait.
- Lack of Transparency: Lawyers that aren’t fully transparent about their fees and are not willing to answer all your questions in depth shouldn’t be trusted. Ask for quotes in advance to avoid last-minute surprises.
- No Trial Experience: Of course, your main goal is to settle outside of court. However, your lawyer must have enough experience in court should you require it (especially for felonies).
Preparing Before a Consultation
Before you choose a lawyer to represent you in court, you may find yourself stepping in for multiple consultations. Here’s a handy checklist that can prepare you for that initial meeting;
- Jot down all the questions you might want to ask your lawyer and keep a notebook with you in case you want to take notes.
- Take ample notes highlighting important information you want to share with your lawyer regarding your case. Don’t worry, your lawyer is bound by law to keep all that information confidential unless relevant to the case. Remember, no information is too trivial and anything can be helpful for the case.
- Gather any documentation that may come in handy later. Make sure you have enough copies of everything in advance to save time.
- If you plan to pay for the initial consultation, withdraw cash or keep that cheque book, debit, or credit card ready.
- Although you may bring a friend or relative along, it is generally advised you meet the lawyer alone. In the presence of a third party, the usual confidentiality laws fail to apply. That person can even be asked to later testify about what was discussed.
Important Questions to Ask
The best way to evaluate a lawyer is by asking enough questions. We advise you to begin with their experience.
- How long have you been practicing law?
- Do you specialize in criminal law?
- How long have you been experiencing law in Maryland?
- Do you have ample experience with cases that go to trial?
- Are you certified to practice criminal law in Maryland?
- Are you a member of a professional organization?
These are just a few simple questions that will allow you to gauge their specialization. Once you are done with the basics you can move on to more specific questions.
- Are you well-versed in my type of criminal charge? (DUI, murder charges, burglary, etc.)
- Will you personally handle my case or will it go to a case manager or assistant?
- What are the legal fees associated with the case?
- Is there an additional charge if the case goes to trial?
Further Evaluation and Comparison
The evaluation doesn’t just need to end with the questions. You can conduct a few background checks on your own. Search for their rankings with organizations like Martindale-Hubbell which connect people to experienced lawyers every day.
During the consultation, notice their body language as well as their ability to answer your questions. Do they approach your needs with respect? Do they answer your calls and reply to your emails promptly? All these can boost trust and make it easy for you to rely on the lawyer.
Make sure you go for a couple of consultations and get a few quotes before you choose a lawyer. This will give you a clearer picture and help you compare a few options, allowing you to set your priorities.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a criminal defense attorney to handle your case in Maryland can definitely be difficult. However, you have many options and you don’t need to deal with the case alone. Leaning on a competent lawyer for advice can make the case much easier to handle.
If there’s one tip you take away from this it should be relying on a lawyer with ample experience in local laws. The way you present your case in court can change from one state to the next. It’s up to your lawyer to understand the nuances of your case and prepare a defense accordingly.
Featured Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA
