Chestertown Assault Lawyer

Unlike some other Chestertown assault lawyers, we’ve earned a reputation with local prosecutors. With many cases, I can call them up and explain the situation and they’re willing to listen. We also talk to the victim and make sure to talk to individuals present at the time of the assault. This helps us to get the full picture and present it to the judge or jury.

Most other lawyers become jaded from being in practice so long, but I see every case and situation for what it is. Even though I’ve been a prosecutor on the other side, I don’t look down on people for their mistakes. I see every charge as a lesson for my client to learn from and hopefully, to never revisit that sort of behavior.

I’ve defended well over a thousand cases, with more than half of them in Chestertown. I’ve handled assaults all over the Eastern Shore; Baltimore City, Ann Arundel, Queen Anne’s, Cecil, Worcester, Tallbot, and Dorchester Counties, to name a few.

Most assault cases occur between two people who know each other. They typically follow the pattern of some sort of verbal altercation turned into a physical altercation.

Usually, when the police officers are called to a situation like that, they will take somebody into custody and remove them from the premises. That is to prevent the altercation from going any further and to prevent the assault from escalating.

The person that’s been removed will generally be taken to a district court commissioner, where they will assess whether they’re a danger to the community or a flight risk. At that point, they’ll either be held in the detention center until they can get a bail review from a district court judge or be released and given the charging documents on the spot.

If an argument happens and a physical altercation ensues, a person can also go to the commissioner themselves later on and take out their own charges. At that point, you’ll either be served by a law enforcement officer or receive a letter to come to the commissioner’s office to get served. You’ll have to go through their review to determine whether you’re a danger to the community or a flight risk and a bond will be assessed, if need be. A lot of times, in these cases, there are cross charges that go back and forth.

More often than not, this is their first run-in with the law. Assault is not typically a repeat crime, unless people are in some type of toxic relationship, where they just can’t stay away from each other.

Once they’ve cooled down, many people decide they might not want to go through with the assault charges, but it’s the state’s prerogative whether or not to move forward. This is where an experienced Chestertown assault lawyer can come in. We can address the state’s attorney directly and figure out their position on the case.

Oftentimes, if there were mutual combatants in the assault (and no single aggressor can be identified), we can talk to the prosecutor and see if everyone can take a mutual fifth (using their fifth amendment right not to incriminate themselves). In this case, the case can’t proceed.

A lot of people don’t understand what assault is, because it can be anything that is harmful, offensive, or puts another person in imminent fear for their safety. Since Maryland law is quite broad, not every assault that’s claimed is truly an assault under the law.

First degree assault is a felony and carries up to 25 years in jail. Having a felony or first degree assault on your record is very damaging to your professional career, especially your public standing. In the United States, you lose a lot of rights when you become a felon, namely, your freedom & the right to vote. A felony can also negatively affect any citizenship issues you may have.

For second degree assault charges, the penalties include up to 10 years in jail and maximum incarceration, as well as a possible fine of $2500.00. These charges will be reflected on your record and can carry a stigma, since people often look down on those charged and convicted of assault crimes.

A first or second degree assault can be a life-changing event, especially if you own any firearms. If you are released, pretrial releases may require you to surrender them to a law enforcement agency. If you’re convicted, you may never be able to obtain a license or own a firearm ever again.

As an experienced Chestertown assault lawyer, we’re familiar with all types of assault cases. We know the system & can actively navigate you through it.

In Maryland, there is no third degree assault, but rather, reckless endangerment.

Not as grave as the first two degrees of assault, reckless endangerment occurs when you cause, or could have potentially caused, harm to someone, either in a reckless or malicious manner. This charge carries five years maximum in incarceration. Despite common misconceptions, reckless behavior behind the wheel of a car does not qualify as reckless endangerment.