Anne Arundel County Criminal Lawyer: Defense in Annapolis & Glen Burnie
FrizWoods represents people facing criminal charges in Anne Arundel County from its Severna Park office. Our team includes former Anne Arundel County Assistant State's Attorney Shane Nolan, former Prince George's County Assistant State's Attorney and Maryland public defender Max Frizalone, and former supervising public defender and Army JAG officer Luke Woods. Criminal and DUI defense is the only thing we do.
The Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office often pursues incarceration in criminal cases. The right defense attorney can be the difference between a dismissal and a conviction. Our attorneys understand the county's court procedures and both District Court locations, and the firm prepares cases for negotiation and trial.
Call us 24/7 at (877) 343-1031 or use our contact form for a free consultation.
Start here: Anne Arundel DUI lawyer | Anne Arundel assault lawyer | Anne Arundel drug lawyer | Anne Arundel felony lawyer | Just arrested in Anne Arundel County | Bail someone out in Anne Arundel County
Meet Your Anne Arundel County Defense Team
Shane Nolan
Attorney | Former Anne Arundel County Prosecutor
Former Anne Arundel County prosecutor with District and Circuit Court experience.
- Handled hundreds of misdemeanor prosecutions before moving to serious Circuit Court felony cases.
- Jury-trial experience involving homicide, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other serious charges.
- United States Coast Guard veteran and former certified federal boarding officer.
Max Frizalone
Founding Partner | Former Assistant State's Attorney
Founding partner of FrizWoods LLC known for courtroom-first strategy and client-focused advocacy.
- Former Prince George's County Assistant State's Attorney and Maryland Public Defender.
- Handled serious cases including carjackings, attempted murder, armed robbery, and violent felonies.
- A thoroughly reviewed criminal lawyer with a track record of trial wins in high-stakes felony and misdemeanor cases.
Luke Woods
Founding Partner | Former Supervising Public Defender
Veteran trial attorney with decades of criminal defense experience across Maryland courts.
- Over 20 years of experience in Maryland criminal courts
- Handled thousands of cases and 100+ trials.
- Extensive motion practice, jury/bench trials, and complex felony litigation.
Max and Luke formed FrizWoods to deliver personalized, collaborative criminal defense. Shane adds experience handling hundreds of misdemeanor prosecutions in Anne Arundel County District Court before moving to serious Circuit Court felonies. His jury-trial experience includes homicide, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other serious charges, and his Coast Guard service included work as a certified federal boarding officer.
The current team brings together prosecution, public defense, military service, and criminal trial experience. See the firm's case results and client reviews.
How Criminal Cases Work in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County sits in District 7, and it has two District Court locations plus the Circuit Court:
- District Court, Annapolis: the Robert F. Sweeney District Court Building at 251 Rowe Boulevard hears misdemeanors such as second degree assault, theft under $1,500, drug possession, and most DUI cases.
- District Court, Glen Burnie: the northern courthouse serving Glen Burnie, Pasadena, Brooklyn Park, and surrounding communities.
- Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County in Annapolis handles felonies, including first degree assault and serious gun charges, and cases where you request a jury trial.
Arrests are typically made by the Anne Arundel County Police, the Annapolis Police Department, or the Maryland State Police. Defendants who are held go to the Jennifer Road Detention Center in Annapolis, where bail reviews usually happen within 24 hours. If a loved one is being held, we can appear at a bail review hearing fast. Our guide on how to bail someone out in Anne Arundel County covers the process step by step.
Why Choose FrizWoods in Anne Arundel County
Local office in Severna Park
Our office on Ritchie Highway is minutes from both the Annapolis and Glen Burnie courthouses, and we appear in the county's courts weekly.
Former prosecutor insight
Shane previously prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases for the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office. Max previously served as a prosecutor in Prince George's County. Their experience helps the defense team evaluate how the State builds a case, assess the evidence, and prepare for negotiations and trial.
Criminal defense only
No car accidents, no wills. The firm focuses on criminal and DUI defense.
Trial-ready from day one
Prosecutors price offers based on whether a firm will actually try the case. We pick juries and try felonies in the Circuit Court in Annapolis.
Fast action after arrest
Bail reviews at Jennifer Road happen quickly. The earlier we are involved, the more options stay open. See just arrested in Anne Arundel County.
Three-attorney perspective
FrizWoods brings together attorneys with backgrounds in prosecution, public defense, military service, and criminal trials.
Record protection focus
We fight for dismissals, STET, and probation before judgment outcomes that preserve expungement eligibility.
24/7 attorney line
Call (877) 343-1031 any hour after an arrest, a summons, or a no-bond hold. You talk to a lawyer, not a call center.
What We Defend in Anne Arundel County
DUI and DWI
First offenses, repeat charges, and the separate MVA hearing on your license. See Anne Arundel DUI lawyer and our Maryland DUI hub.
Assault and domestic violence
Second degree, first degree, and domestic assault with protective order overlap. See Anne Arundel assault lawyer.
Drug charges
CDS possession and possession with intent to distribute. See Anne Arundel drug lawyer and our drug charges hub.
Gun and firearm offenses
Wear, carry, and transport, felon in possession, and ghost gun cases. See Anne Arundel gun lawyer.
Theft and property
Shoplifting, felony theft, burglary, and fraud cases in District and Circuit Court.
Felonies
Serious charges that move to Circuit Court and demand jury trial preparation. See Anne Arundel felony lawyer and felony defense.
Traffic and driving offenses
Driving suspended, reckless driving, and payable tickets that carry points. See our traffic defense hub.
Juvenile cases
DJS intake, detention hearings, and charges against minors. See juvenile defense.
Probation violations
Violation of probation hearings and warrant recalls before they turn into a hold.
Our Anne Arundel County Office
Severna Park Office
540 Ritchie Hwy Suite 301, Severna Park, MD 21146
Phone: (410) 883-5667
Get directions on Google Maps
Centrally located on Ritchie Highway, minutes from both the Annapolis and Glen Burnie courthouses. Available by appointment.
Communities We Serve in Anne Arundel County
Annapolis Area
- Annapolis
- Arnold and Edgewater
- Crofton and Davidsonville
North County
- Glen Burnie
- Pasadena
- Brooklyn Park and Linthicum
Central & West County
- Severna Park
- Odenton and Millersville
- Jessup and Crofton
Frequently Asked Questions for an Anne Arundel County Criminal Lawyer
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Anne Arundel County?
Yes. Misdemeanors can carry real jail time. Second degree assault alone carries up to 10 years, and a conviction stays on your record unless you later qualify for expungement.
Can my charges be dismissed?
Often, yes. We look first at the legality of the stop, search, and any statements, then at the strength of the State's evidence. Suppressing key evidence can end a case.
Where will my case be heard?
Most cases start in the District Court, either in Annapolis at 251 Rowe Boulevard or in Glen Burnie, depending on where the charge arose. Felonies and jury trials move to the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County in Annapolis.
My loved one is at Jennifer Road. What happens next?
Defendants held at the Jennifer Road Detention Center typically get a bail review within 24 hours. Having a lawyer at that hearing matters. Our guide on bailing someone out in Anne Arundel County walks through the commissioner, the bail review, and what to bring.
How much does a criminal lawyer in Anne Arundel County cost?
Most cases are billed as a flat fee that depends on the charge and complexity. We quote it at your free consultation and offer payment plans.
Do you handle DUI cases in Anne Arundel County?
Yes, DUI defense is one of our core practices in the county, including the separate MVA hearing on your license. Start with our Anne Arundel DUI lawyer page and our Maryland DUI hub.
Anne Arundel County Defense Resources
After an Arrest
DUI in Anne Arundel
Charges We Defend
Talk to an Anne Arundel County Criminal Lawyer
Anne Arundel cases move fast, and the courthouse your case lands in shapes everything that follows. Talk to lawyers who appear in those courts every week. The first call is free.
Call 24/7: (877) 343-1031