Charles County Criminal Lawyer: Defense in La Plata & Waldorf
If you are facing criminal charges in Charles County, the lawyer you choose matters as much as the facts. Luke Woods started his career defending clients in Charles County and spent over a decade as a supervising public defender in Southern Maryland, where he built his reputation as a top tier trial lawyer. Max Frizalone is a former Prince George's County prosecutor. Criminal and DUI defense is the only thing we do.
The Charles County State's Attorney's Office seeks incarceration on most cases, so having a local advocate matters. We know the La Plata courthouses, the Southern Maryland bench, and how the State builds its cases, and we prepare every case for trial.
Call us 24/7 at (877) 343-1031 or use our contact form for a free consultation.
Start here: Charles County DUI lawyer | Charles County assault lawyer | Charles County drug lawyer | Felony defense | Bail review hearings
Meet Your Charles 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. Luke has taken numerous felony cases to verdict in Charles County and has won several high profile cases there. See our case results and client reviews.
How Criminal Cases Work in Charles County
La Plata is the county seat, and both courthouses sit a few steps apart:
- District Court of Maryland for Charles County, 11 Washington Avenue, La Plata, hears traffic cases, misdemeanors such as second degree assault, theft under $1,500, drug possession, and most DUI cases in bench trials.
- Circuit Court for Charles County, 200 Charles Street, La Plata, handles felonies, including first degree assault and serious gun charges, and cases where you request a jury trial before a Charles County jury.
Charles County sits in District 4 alongside Calvert and St. Mary's Counties, so the same Southern Maryland judges rotate across all three. Arrests are typically made by the Charles County Sheriff's Office or the Maryland State Police. If a loved one is being held, we can appear at a bail review hearing fast, often within 24 hours. Parking at both courthouses is free in the lots behind the buildings.
Why Choose FrizWoods in Charles County
Southern Maryland roots
Luke started his career in the Charles County courts and is well known by local judges and attorneys, who are not quick to challenge his trial prowess.
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
The Charles County State's Attorney's Office seeks incarceration on most cases. Prosecutors price offers based on whether a firm will actually try the case. We do.
Felony verdict experience
Luke has taken numerous felony cases to verdict in the Circuit Court in La Plata, including several high profile wins.
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 Charles County
DUI and DWI
First offenses, repeat charges, and the separate MVA hearing on your license. See Charles County DUI lawyer and our Maryland DUI hub.
Assault and domestic violence
Second degree, first degree, and domestic assault. See Charles County assault lawyer.
Drug charges
CDS possession and possession with intent to distribute. See Charles County drug lawyer and our drug charges hub.
Gun and firearm offenses
Wear, carry, and transport, felon in possession, and ghost gun cases. See our gun charges hub.
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 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 Nearest Office
Upper Marlboro Office
14513 Main Street, Suite B, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (301) 720-1917
A short drive up Route 301 from La Plata and Waldorf. Available by appointment.
Communities We Serve in Charles County
Waldorf Area
- Waldorf and White Plains
- Bensville and Bryantown
- Hughesville
La Plata Area
- La Plata and Port Tobacco
- Bel Alton and Faulkner
- Newburg and Cobb Island
Western Charles
- Indian Head and Bryans Road
- Marbury and Nanjemoy
- Welcome and Issue
Frequently Asked Questions for a Charles County Criminal Lawyer
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Charles 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?
Both courthouses are in La Plata, a few steps apart. Misdemeanors start in the District Court at 11 Washington Avenue, and felonies and jury trials move to the Circuit Court at 200 Charles Street. Parking is free in the lots behind the buildings.
Who will prosecute my case?
The Charles County State's Attorney's Office. In District Court, cases are assigned by docket. In Circuit Court, individual Assistant State's Attorneys from specialized units handle each case. Their office seeks incarceration on most cases, which is why a trial-ready defense matters.
How much does a criminal lawyer in Charles 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 Charles County?
Yes, DUI defense is one of our core practices in the county, including the separate MVA hearing on your license. Start with our Charles County DUI lawyer page and our Maryland DUI hub.
Charles County Defense Resources
After an Arrest
DUI in Charles County
Charges We Defend
Talk to a Charles County Criminal Lawyer
Charles County cases move quickly through a court system where local knowledge counts. Talk to lawyers who have tried cases in La Plata for decades. The first call is free.
Call 24/7: (877) 343-1031