Montgomery County Criminal Lawyer: Defense in Rockville & Silver Spring
If you are facing criminal charges in Montgomery County, the lawyer you choose matters as much as the facts. FrizWoods appears regularly in the Rockville and Silver Spring courts, and criminal and DUI defense is the only thing we do. Max Frizalone is a former prosecutor and a Super Lawyers Rising Stars selection. Luke Woods is a former Army JAG officer and supervising public defender with more than 20 years of trial experience.
We move fast on release, discovery, and defense: direct communication, targeted motions, and a trial-ready posture from day one.
Call us 24/7 at (877) 343-1031 or use our contact form for a free consultation.
Start here: Montgomery County DUI lawyer | Montgomery County assault lawyer | Montgomery County gun lawyer | Montgomery County traffic lawyer | Bail review hearings
Meet Your Montgomery 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 Montgomery County
Montgomery County has two District Court locations plus the Circuit Court:
- District Court, Rockville hears misdemeanors such as second degree assault, theft under $1,500, drug possession, and most DUI cases.
- District Court, Silver Spring serves the down-county communities. Cases sometimes move between the two courthouses, and we track filings across both.
- Circuit Court for Montgomery County in Rockville handles felonies, including first degree assault and serious gun charges, and cases where you request a jury trial.
If a loved one is being held, we can appear at a bail review hearing fast, often within 24 hours, with supporting records and family input prepared to push for the least restrictive conditions.
Why Choose FrizWoods in Montgomery County
Fast on release
We prepare bail reviews quickly, with treatment, employment proof, and community support lined up to shape release conditions and outcomes.
Former prosecutor insight
Max built cases for the State before he started taking them apart. We know how prosecutors charge and negotiate.
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 pick juries and try felonies in the Circuit Court in Rockville.
Targeted suppression work
We demand body-worn camera, CAD, and lab materials, then challenge weak stops, overbroad searches, and involuntary statements.
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 Montgomery County
DUI and DWI
First offenses, repeat charges, and the separate MVA hearing on your license. See Montgomery County DUI lawyer and our Maryland DUI hub.
Assault and domestic violence
Second degree, first degree, and domestic assault. See Montgomery County assault lawyer.
Drug charges
CDS possession and possession with intent to distribute. See our drug charges hub.
Gun and firearm offenses
Wear, carry, and transport, felon in possession, and ghost gun cases. See Montgomery County 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 felony defense.
Traffic and driving offenses
Driving suspended, reckless driving, and payable tickets that carry points. See Montgomery County 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 regularly appear in the Rockville and Silver Spring courts and can meet by phone or video on short notice.
Communities We Serve in Montgomery County
Rockville Area
- Rockville and North Bethesda
- Gaithersburg and Germantown
- Potomac and Darnestown
Down County
- Silver Spring and Takoma Park
- Bethesda and Chevy Chase
- Wheaton and Kensington
Upcounty & East
- Clarksburg and Damascus
- Olney and Burtonsville
- Montgomery Village and Poolesville
Frequently Asked Questions for a Montgomery County Criminal Lawyer
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Montgomery 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 in Rockville or Silver Spring, depending on where the charge arose. Felonies and jury trials move to the Circuit Court for Montgomery County in Rockville. If your case moves between courthouses, we track the filings and keep you updated on where and when to appear.
Can I avoid jail on a first offense?
Often. Results turn on facts, record, and mitigation. Treatment, employment proof, and community support can shape outcomes, and we build that plan early to keep the State focused on alternatives.
How much does a criminal lawyer in Montgomery 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 Montgomery County?
Yes, DUI defense is one of our core practices in the county, including the separate MVA hearing on your license. Start with our Montgomery County DUI lawyer page and our Maryland DUI hub.
Montgomery County Defense Resources
After an Arrest
DUI in Montgomery
Charges We Defend
Talk to a Montgomery County Criminal Lawyer
Montgomery County cases move fast, and each courthouse has its own pace and preferences. Talk to lawyers who appear in the Rockville and Silver Spring courts regularly. The first call is free.
Call 24/7: (877) 343-1031