Prince George's County Criminal Lawyer: Defense in Upper Marlboro & Hyattsville
If you are facing criminal charges in Prince George's County, the lawyer you choose matters as much as the facts. FrizWoods keeps an office in Upper Marlboro directly across from the courthouse, and criminal and DUI defense is the only thing we do. Max Frizalone is a former Prince George's County prosecutor who handled major cases like carjackings, armed robberies, and attempted murders, so we know how the State builds its cases here. Luke Woods is a former Army JAG officer and supervising public defender with more than 20 years of trial experience.
The Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office prosecutes one of the busiest dockets in Maryland. The right defense attorney can be the difference between a dismissal and a conviction. We know the county's judges, prosecutors, and both District Court locations, 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: PG County DUI lawyer | PG County assault lawyer | PG County drug lawyer | PG County gun lawyer | Just arrested in PG County | Bail someone out in PG County
Meet Your Prince George's 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 PG County prosecutor gives you both sides of the courtroom in one team. See our case results and client reviews.
How Criminal Cases Work in Prince George's County
Prince George's County sits in District 5, with two District Court locations plus the Circuit Court:
- District Court, Upper Marlboro: hears misdemeanors such as second degree assault, theft under $1,500, drug possession, and most DUI cases from the southern half of the county.
- District Court, Hyattsville: the northern courthouse serving Hyattsville, College Park, Laurel, and surrounding communities.
- Circuit Court for Prince George's County in Upper Marlboro handles felonies, including first degree assault and serious gun charges, and cases where you request a jury trial.
Arrests are typically made by the Prince George's County Police Department, municipal police, or the Maryland State Police. Defendants who are held go to the PG County Detention Center in Upper Marlboro, where bail reviews usually happen within 24 hours. If a loved one is being held, we can appear at a bail review hearing fast. Our guides on the PG County bail process and how to bail someone out cover it step by step.
Why Choose FrizWoods in Prince George's County
Office across from the courthouse
Our Upper Marlboro office on Main Street sits directly across from the courthouse complex. We are in these courtrooms every week.
Former PG County prosecutor
Max prosecuted carjackings, armed robberies, and attempted murders for this county before he started taking those cases apart.
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 Upper Marlboro.
Fast action after arrest
Bail reviews at the PG County Detention Center happen quickly. The earlier we are involved, the more options stay open. See what to do after a PG County arrest.
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 Prince George's County
DUI and DWI
First offenses, repeat charges, and the separate MVA hearing on your license. See PG County DUI lawyer and our PG DUI guide.
Assault and domestic violence
Second degree, first degree, and domestic assault. See PG County assault lawyer and PG County domestic violence lawyer.
Drug charges
CDS possession and possession with intent to distribute. See PG County drug lawyer and our drug charges hub.
Gun and firearm offenses
Wear, carry, and transport, felon in possession, and ghost gun cases. See PG County gun lawyer and Upper Marlboro gun lawyer.
Theft, robbery, and property
Shoplifting, felony theft, and burglary. See PG County theft lawyer and PG robbery lawyer.
Felonies
Carjacking, armed robbery, and other 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 PG County juvenile lawyer and juvenile defense.
Probation violations
Violation of probation hearings and warrant recalls before they turn into a hold.
Our Upper Marlboro Office
Upper Marlboro Office
14513 Main Street, Suite B, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (301) 720-1917
Directly across from the Upper Marlboro courthouse complex, next to the Marlboro Grille. Available by appointment.
Communities We Serve in Prince George's County
Central County
- Upper Marlboro
- Largo and Landover
- District Heights and Forestville
North County
- Bowie
- Hyattsville and College Park
- Laurel and Greenbelt
South County
- Clinton and Fort Washington
- Oxon Hill and Suitland
- Temple Hills and Accokeek
Frequently Asked Questions for a Prince George's County Criminal Lawyer
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Prince George's 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, either in Upper Marlboro or Hyattsville, depending on where the charge arose. Felonies and jury trials move to the Circuit Court for Prince George's County in Upper Marlboro.
My loved one is at the PG County Detention Center. What happens next?
Defendants held at the detention center in Upper Marlboro typically get a bail review within 24 hours. Having a lawyer at that hearing matters. Our PG County bail process guide walks through the commissioner, the bail review, and what to bring.
How much does a criminal lawyer in Prince George's 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 Prince George's County?
Yes, DUI defense is one of our core practices in the county, including the separate MVA hearing on your license. Start with our PG County DUI lawyer page and our Maryland DUI hub.
Prince George's County Defense Resources
After an Arrest
DUI in PG County
Charges We Defend
Talk to a Prince George's County Criminal Lawyer
PG County cases move fast, and the courthouse your case lands in shapes everything that follows. Talk to lawyers with an office across from the Upper Marlboro courthouse who appear in these courts every week. The first call is free.
Call 24/7: (877) 343-1031