Maryland Criminal Lawyer
If you are looking for a Maryland criminal lawyer, you are in the right place. FrizWoods defends people charged with crimes across the entire state, from the District and Circuit Courts of Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Howard, Montgomery, and Baltimore counties to the smaller courthouses in Southern Maryland. Criminal and traffic defense is all we do. You work directly with an attorney who explains the charge, walks you through what happens next, and builds a plan aimed at the best possible result. The first consultation is free, and you can reach a lawyer 24/7 at (877) 343-1031.
Meet Your Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys
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.
Strong representation starts with the people doing the work. At FrizWoods, your case is handled by an attorney who has actually tried cases, not passed off to a paralegal.
Max Frizalone
Founding partner and a former Prince George's County prosecutor, Max has handled serious cases on both sides of the courtroom, including armed robbery, attempted murder, and violent felonies. He is a Super Lawyers Rising Stars selection (2024-2026) and is admitted to practice before the Maryland state courts. His prosecutorial background means he knows exactly how the State builds a case and where it tends to break down.
Luke Woods
Luke is a veteran trial attorney with more than 20 years in Maryland criminal courts. A former Army JAG Corps officer and supervising public defender, he has handled thousands of cases and tried more than 100 to verdict. Admitted to practice in Maryland, Luke brings deep experience in motion practice, jury and bench trials, and complex felony litigation.
Criminal Defense Practice Areas
We defend the full range of criminal and traffic charges in Maryland. Each practice area below links to a dedicated guide for that charge.
DUI & DWI Defense
NHTSA-trained defense for first-time and repeat impaired driving charges, plus the separate MVA license case.
Assault Charges
First and second degree assault, including domestic assault and self-defense claims.
Drug Charges
Possession, possession with intent, and distribution, with a focus on suppressing illegally obtained evidence.
Theft & Property Crimes
Shoplifting, felony theft, and burglary, where intent and valuation are often the deciding issues.
Gun & Weapon Offenses
Wear, carry, and transport violations, felon in possession, and other firearm charges.
Domestic Violence
Criminal charges plus the parallel protective order proceeding, handled together.
Traffic & MVA
Serious traffic citations and MVA hearings that can affect your license.
Appeals
District Court appeals to the Circuit Court for a fresh trial, plus post-conviction review.
Probation Violations
Violation of probation hearings, where the rules and burden of proof are different from a new charge.
Felony Defense
Serious felony litigation in Circuit Court, including discovery review and suppression motions.
Misdemeanor Defense
Misdemeanors can still carry years of jail time and a permanent record. They deserve a real defense.
Bail & Bond Review
Fast advocacy to get you or a loved one released, often within 24 hours of an arrest.
What to Expect: Arrest to Court
Maryland criminal cases follow a predictable path. Knowing the stages helps you make better decisions early, when they matter most.
1. Arrest or charging
A case starts with an arrest, a citation, or a statement of charges. Some cases begin by summons in the mail. The single most important step at this stage is simple: do not give a statement to police before you talk to a lawyer.
2. Bail review
If you are held, a District Court commissioner sets initial conditions, and a judge reviews them at a bail review hearing, usually the next court day. We present ties to the community, employment, and supervision options to argue for release.
3. District or Circuit Court
Most misdemeanors are tried in District Court before a judge. Felonies and any case where you request a jury trial move to Circuit Court. See District Court versus Circuit Court for how venue changes your case.
4. Discovery and motions
We demand the State's evidence: reports, body camera footage, lab results, and 911 recordings. Then we file targeted motions to suppress unlawful stops, searches, and statements under the constitution and Maryland's rules of evidence.
5. Negotiation or trial
We prepare every case as if it will be tried. That preparation is leverage. When an offer is right we negotiate; when it is not, we try the case. Prosecutors price their offers based on whether a firm will actually go to verdict.
6. Sentencing and aftermath
If a case reaches sentencing, we present mitigation and treatment-based alternatives. When a case resolves favorably, we advise on expungement eligibility under Maryland law.
A quick note on charge levels. Misdemeanors are usually tried in District Court, but the label can be misleading. Second degree assault, a misdemeanor, carries up to 10 years. Felonies are tried in Circuit Court, often before a jury, and a conviction can affect your job, housing, professional licenses, and firearm rights for life. Whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony, the right defense depends on the facts, your record, and the county.
Results That Matter
Our courtroom record is the reason clients call. The numbers below update automatically from our case data.
Since January 2022, we've represented clients in over a thousand criminal and traffic matters across Prince George's, Howard, Anne Arundel, Calvert Counties. In nearly half of our cases, the charges were dismissed, nolle prossed, stetted, or resolved by acquittal without our client ever entering a guilty plea. Through motions practice, negotiation, and trial advocacy, we've helped clients avoid a conviction -- preserving careers, licenses, immigration status, and peace of mind.
Verified internally; last updated: Jun 2, 2026.
A few representative, anonymized outcomes:
Felony charges dismissed
After motion practice exposed an unlawful search, the State dismissed felony drug charges before trial.
Not guilty at trial
A client facing a third-offense impaired driving charge was found not guilty by a jury after we challenged the testing.
Probation before judgment
A first-time assault client received probation before judgment, avoiding a conviction and preserving a clean record.
See more verified outcomes on our case results page. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future matter; every case is different.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Maryland?
Most Maryland criminal cases are billed as a flat fee. District Court misdemeanors commonly run about $2,000 to $8,000, and felony cases generally range from about $5,000 to $35,000 depending on complexity. We quote a flat fee at your free consultation and offer payment plans. Read our full guide to criminal defense lawyer costs in Maryland.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor?
Yes. Misdemeanors in Maryland can carry serious jail time and a permanent record. Second degree assault alone carries up to 10 years. An experienced attorney can be the difference between a conviction and a dismissal, and can protect your eligibility for expungement later.
What is the statute of limitations for criminal charges in Maryland?
Maryland has no statute of limitations for felonies, so they can be charged at any time. Most misdemeanors must be charged within one year, though there are important exceptions. See our full breakdown of the Maryland criminal statute of limitations.
What should I do if I am arrested in Maryland?
Stay calm and exercise your right to remain silent. Do not explain your side to police, and do not consent to a search. Politely ask for a lawyer, then call us. Anything you say is written into the report and used against you.
Can my charges be dismissed?
Often, yes. Common paths to dismissal include suppressing an unlawful stop, search, or statement, attacking weak or unreliable evidence, and exposing credibility problems with witnesses. We map the realistic options after reviewing your discovery.
How long does a Maryland criminal case take?
Misdemeanors can resolve in a few weeks to a few months. Felony cases take longer because of discovery, lab results, and motions calendars. We keep you informed at every stage.
Do you handle cases in my county?
We defend cases across the state of Maryland, with offices in Upper Marlboro, Columbia, Severna Park, and North Beach. If your county is not listed below, call and ask.
Where We Practice
We defend criminal cases in courthouses across Maryland. Find your county or city below.
Anne Arundel County
Prince George's County
Howard County
Montgomery County
Baltimore Area
Southern Maryland
More Maryland Criminal Defense Resources
Process & Court
Talk to a Maryland Criminal Lawyer
The State has the police report, the evidence, and a prosecutor. You should have a lawyer who has actually tried these cases. The first call is free, and we answer the phone 24/7.
Call 24/7: (877) 343-1031
Free and Confidential Consultation