Prince George's County Drug Lawyer
A drug charge in Prince George's County almost always comes down to two questions: was the search legal, and can the State prove the substance was yours and what it says it is. FrizWoods has an office in Upper Marlboro, and Max Frizalone is a former Prince George's County prosecutor who knows how these cases are built. For the statewide picture, see our Maryland drug charges and CDS pages.
Call us 24/7 at (877) 343-1031 or use our contact form for a free consultation.
Shane Nolan brings substantial drug-case experience to the team. He is a former Anne Arundel County prosecutor, not a former Prince George's County prosecutor, and he uses that prior prosecution experience when evaluating the State's search, possession, witness, and intent evidence.
Shane Nolan
Attorney | Former Anne Arundel County Prosecutor
Former Anne Arundel County prosecutor with drug-case experience in District and Circuit Courts.
- Handled drug prosecutions as part of a broader criminal docket.
- Coast Guard service included work with teams that interdicted narcotics.
- Applies prosecution experience to evaluating the State's evidence.
Max Frizalone
Founding Partner | Former Assistant State's Attorney
Defense for possession, distribution, and CDS-related charges.
- Challenges evidence from allegedly unlawful stops, searches, and warrants.
- Evaluates treatment-based resolutions when available.
- Reviews laboratory and chain-of-custody issues.
Luke Woods
Founding Partner | Former Supervising Public Defender
Seasoned drug-crime litigator across District and Circuit Court.
- Motion practice targeting probable cause and informant reliability.
- Evaluates diversion and specialty courts when appropriate.
- Prepares negotiations and sentencing arguments around the case.
Drug Charges in Prince George's County
- Possession of a controlled dangerous substance is usually a misdemeanor, but it still carries jail and a record.
- Possession with intent to distribute is a felony. The State infers intent from quantity, packaging, cash, and scales, and those inferences can be challenged.
- Distribution and manufacturing carry the most serious penalties, and some carry mandatory time for repeat offenses.
How Drug Cases Move Through the County Courts
Drug cases may proceed in District Court in Hyattsville or Upper Marlboro, or in Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro depending on the charge and procedure. The charging papers and hearing notice control. If a loved one is being held, use the PG County bail-process guide and contact counsel with the available custody record.
How We Defend Drug Charges
- The search. Many drug cases raise Fourth Amendment questions. If the stop, search of a car, home, or phone, or warrant was unlawful, counsel can seek suppression of evidence.
- Possession. The State must prove the drugs were yours and that you knew about them. Drugs found in a shared car or home are not automatically yours.
- The substance itself. The identity and weight of a suspected drug is a scientific question. We scrutinize the lab analysis and chain of custody.
- Possible resolutions. When eligibility and the facts allow, we evaluate treatment-based options, PBJ, or another resolution. No outcome is automatic.
Communities We Serve
We defend drug cases across Prince George's County, including Upper Marlboro, Bowie, Hyattsville, College Park, Laurel, Largo, Clinton, Fort Washington, Oxon Hill, and Suitland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is drug possession a felony in Maryland?
Simple possession is usually a misdemeanor. Possession with intent to distribute, distribution, and manufacturing are felonies.
Can a drug charge be dismissed?
Possibly. A dismissal, suppression issue, diversion option, or PBJ depends on the search, evidence, charge, record, and eligibility.
What happens to a first-time possession charge?
Some first-offense cases may qualify for treatment, probation, diversion, or another disposition, but eligibility and outcome depend on the facts and record.
Talk to a Prince George's County Drug Lawyer
If you are facing a drug charge anywhere in Prince George's County, contact us for a free consultation. We also handle the full range of charges on our Prince George's County criminal lawyer page.