Baltimore County Criminal Lawyer: Defense in Towson, Essex & Catonsville
If you are facing criminal charges in Baltimore County, the lawyer you choose matters as much as the facts. Luke Woods and Max Frizalone appear at the Essex, Catonsville, and Towson District Courts on a regular basis and try cases before Baltimore County Circuit Court judges. Criminal and DUI defense is the only thing we do.
The wrong lawyer can leave you with a criminal record, or worse, time in the Baltimore County Department of Corrections on Bosley Avenue. We know the county's three District Court locations, the Circuit Court in Towson, and how the State's Attorney's Office builds its cases.
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 | Towson criminal lawyer
Meet Your Baltimore County 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 County
Baltimore County has three District Court locations plus the Circuit Court:
- District Court, Towson: the central courthouse, near the county seat.
- District Court, Catonsville: serving the west side, including Catonsville, Woodlawn, and Randallstown.
- District Court, Essex: serving the east side, including Essex, Dundalk, and Middle River.
- Circuit Court for Baltimore County in Towson 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 closest to where the charge arose. Defendants who are held go to the Baltimore County Department of Corrections on Bosley Avenue in Towson. If a loved one is being held, we can appear at a bail review hearing fast, often within 24 hours.
Why Choose FrizWoods in Baltimore County
All three District Courts
We appear at Essex, Catonsville, and Towson regularly. Each courthouse has its own rhythm, and we know all of them.
Former prosecutor insight
Max built cases for the State before he started taking them apart. We know how the State's Attorney's Office charges and negotiates.
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 County Circuit Court judges and juries.
Fast action after arrest
Bail reviews at the detention center on Bosley Avenue happen quickly. The earlier we are involved, the more options stay open.
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 County
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 County courts regularly and can meet by phone or video on short notice.
Communities We Serve in Baltimore County
Central County
- Towson
- Parkville and Perry Hall
- Cockeysville and Timonium
West Side
- Catonsville and Woodlawn
- Owings Mills and Randallstown
- Pikesville and Reisterstown
East Side
- Essex and Middle River
- Dundalk and Rosedale
- White Marsh and Nottingham
Frequently Asked Questions for a Baltimore County Criminal Lawyer
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Baltimore 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 one of three District Courts, in Towson, Catonsville, or Essex, depending on where the charge arose. Felonies and jury trials move to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County in Towson.
My loved one is at the detention center on Bosley Avenue. What happens next?
Defendants held at the Baltimore County Department of Corrections typically get a bail review within 24 hours. Having a lawyer at that hearing matters, and we can often appear the same or next day.
How much does a criminal lawyer in Baltimore 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.
Is Baltimore County different from Baltimore City?
Yes, they are separate jurisdictions with separate courts, prosecutors, and detention facilities. If your charge is from the city, see our Baltimore City criminal lawyer page. If you are not sure, we can tell you from your paperwork in one phone call.
Baltimore County Defense Resources
After an Arrest
DUI in Baltimore County
Charges We Defend
Talk to a Baltimore County Criminal Lawyer
Baltimore County cases move fast across three District Courts, and the courthouse your case lands in shapes everything that follows. Talk to lawyers who appear in all of them. The first call is free.
Call 24/7: (877) 343-1031