Baltimore City Criminal Lawyer: We Know the City Courts
If you are facing criminal charges in Baltimore City, you want a lawyer with a reputation as a fighter. Luke Woods and Max Frizalone appear at the Patapsco, Eastside, and Wabash District Courts on a regular basis and try cases before Baltimore City Circuit Court judges. Criminal and DUI defense is the only thing we do.
Baltimore City cases are unique. The city does not use electronic filing, and defendants can be spread across a number of detention facilities pending trial. The wrong lawyer can leave you with a criminal record, or worse, waiting for trial in Baltimore City Central Booking. We know our way around the city courts and can tell you exactly what to expect.
Call us 24/7 at (877) 343-1031 or use our contact form for a free consultation.
Start here: Baltimore DUI lawyer | Baltimore assault lawyer | Baltimore drug lawyer | Baltimore gun lawyer | Bail review hearings
Meet Your Baltimore City Defense Team
Max Frizalone
Founding partner of FrizWoods LLC known for courtroom-first strategy and client-focused advocacy.
- Former Prince George's County 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
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. Unlike one-person operations, both attorneys work your case. Their combined experience as public defenders and a prosecutor gives you both sides of the courtroom in one team. See our case results and client reviews.
How Criminal Cases Work in Baltimore City
Baltimore City has multiple District Court locations plus the Circuit Court:
- Patapsco District Court handles cases from South Baltimore, Federal Hill, and Locust Point.
- Eastside District Court covers East Baltimore, Highlandtown, and Canton.
- Wabash District Court serves North and West Baltimore, Charles Village, and Hampden.
- Circuit Court for Baltimore City handles felonies, including first degree assault and serious gun charges, and cases where you request a jury trial.
Misdemeanors such as second degree assault, theft under $1,500, drug possession, and most DUI cases start in the District Court for the part of the city where the charge arose. Because the city does not use electronic filing, tracking paperwork takes local know-how. Defendants who are held usually go through Baltimore City Central Booking, and we can appear at a bail review hearing fast, often within 24 hours.
Why Choose FrizWoods in Baltimore City
All the city courthouses
We appear at Patapsco, Eastside, and Wabash regularly and try cases in the Circuit Court. Each courthouse runs differently, and we know all of them.
Central Booking experience
Defendants can be spread across multiple city detention facilities. We know how to find your loved one and get to their bail review fast.
Criminal defense only
No car accidents, no wills. Both partners practice criminal and DUI defense exclusively.
Trial-ready from day one
Prosecutors price offers based on whether a firm will actually try the case. We try cases before Baltimore City judges and juries.
Paper filing know-how
Baltimore City does not use electronic filing. Tracking charging documents and court dates here takes local experience we already have.
Two-attorney team
Both Max and Luke work your case. Two sets of trial experience, one flat fee.
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 Baltimore City
DUI and DWI
First offenses, repeat charges, and the separate MVA hearing on your license. See Baltimore DUI lawyer and our Maryland DUI hub.
Assault and domestic violence
Second degree, first degree, and domestic assault. See Baltimore assault lawyer.
Drug charges
CDS possession and possession with intent to distribute. See Baltimore drug lawyer.
Gun and firearm offenses
Wear, carry, and transport, felon in possession, and ghost gun cases. See Baltimore gun lawyer.
Theft and property
Shoplifting, felony theft, and burglary. See Baltimore theft lawyer.
Felonies
Serious charges that move to Circuit Court and demand jury trial preparation. See felony defense.
Traffic and driving offenses
Driving suspended, reckless driving, and payable tickets that carry points. See Baltimore traffic lawyer.
Juvenile cases
DJS intake, detention hearings, and charges against minors. See juvenile defense.
Probation violations
Violation of probation hearings and bench warrant recalls before they turn into a hold.
Our Nearest Office
Columbia Office
6304 Woodside Court, Suite 110, Columbia, MD 21046
Phone: (410) 346-9384
Available by appointment. We appear in the Baltimore City courts regularly and can meet by phone or video on short notice.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Baltimore City
South & Southeast
- Federal Hill and Locust Point
- Highlandtown and Canton
- Brooklyn and Curtis Bay
North & Central
- Charles Village and Hampden
- Roland Park and Mount Washington
- Govans and Northwood
East & West
- Clifton and Raspeburg
- Druid Heights and Arlington
- Morrell Park and Carroll
Frequently Asked Questions for a Baltimore City Criminal Lawyer
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Baltimore City?
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, and city cases often turn on stop-and-search issues.
Where will my case be heard?
Most cases start at the Patapsco, Eastside, or Wabash District Court, depending on where in the city the charge arose. Felonies and jury trials move to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
My loved one is at Central Booking. What happens next?
Defendants who are held usually go through Baltimore City Central Booking and can be spread across multiple detention facilities. A bail review typically happens within 24 hours, and having a lawyer there matters. Call us and we will locate them and get moving.
How much does a criminal lawyer in Baltimore City 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.
Is Baltimore City different from Baltimore County?
Yes, they are separate jurisdictions with separate courts, prosecutors, and detention facilities. If your charge is from the county, see our Baltimore County criminal lawyer page. If you are not sure, we can tell you from your paperwork in one phone call.
Baltimore City Defense Resources
After an Arrest
DUI in Baltimore City
Charges We Defend
Talk to a Baltimore City Criminal Lawyer
Baltimore City cases move through a paper-filing system across multiple courthouses, and local know-how counts. Talk to lawyers who appear in the city courts regularly. The first call is free.
Call 24/7: (877) 343-1031