St. Mary's County Criminal Lawyer: Defense in Leonardtown & Lexington Park
If you are facing criminal charges in St. Mary's County, the lawyer you choose matters as much as the facts. Max Frizalone and Luke Woods previously served as public defenders in St. Mary's County, trying contested cases and litigating complex pretrial issues in the Leonardtown courthouses. Luke spent more than twenty years building his reputation as a tenacious trial lawyer in Southern Maryland. Criminal and DUI defense is the only thing we do.
Small counties move differently. Local procedures, diversion options, and negotiation norms can decide whether a case is dismissed, reduced, or proceeds to trial. We practice here consistently and can step into your case immediately.
Call us 24/7 at (877) 343-1031 or use our contact form for a free consultation.
Start here: St. Mary's DUI lawyer | St. Mary's drug lawyer | Felony defense | Bail review hearings | Traffic defense
Meet Your St. Mary'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. They have represented hundreds of clients across Southern Maryland, from simple assaults to serious felony matters. See our case results and client reviews.
How Criminal Cases Work in St. Mary's County
Leonardtown is the county seat, and both courts sit there:
- District Court of Maryland for St. Mary's County in Leonardtown hears arraignments, motions, and bench trials for misdemeanors such as second degree assault, theft under $1,500, drug possession, and most DUI cases.
- Circuit Court for St. Mary's County, also in Leonardtown, handles felonies, including first degree assault and serious gun charges, jury trials, and appeals from District Court.
St. Mary's sits in District 4 alongside Calvert and Charles Counties, so the same Southern Maryland judges rotate across all three. If a loved one is being held, we can appear at a bail review hearing fast, often within 24 hours.
Why Choose FrizWoods in St. Mary's County
Former St. Mary's public defenders
Max and Luke both defended cases in this county as public defenders. We know the Leonardtown courthouses, the bench, and the local State's Attorney's Office.
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 have tried hundreds of contested hearings and trials in Southern Maryland courts.
Local rhythm matters
Small counties run on local procedures, diversion options, and negotiation norms. We know which options exist here and when to push for them.
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 St. Mary's County
DUI and DWI
First offenses, repeat charges, and the separate MVA hearing on your license. See St. Mary's DUI lawyer and our Maryland DUI hub.
Assault and domestic violence
Second degree, first degree, and domestic assault with protective order overlap.
Drug charges
CDS possession and possession with intent to distribute. See St. Mary's 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 property offenses 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
Reckless driving, negligent driving, driving suspended, 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 bench warrant recalls before they turn into a hold.
Our Offices
Upper Marlboro Office
14513 Main Street, Suite B, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (301) 720-1917
Columbia Office
6304 Woodside Court, Suite 110, Columbia, MD 21046
Phone: (410) 346-9384
Both available by appointment. We regularly travel to the Leonardtown courts and can meet by phone or video on short notice.
Communities We Serve in St. Mary's County
Leonardtown Area
- Leonardtown and Hollywood
- Chaptico and Clements
- Bushwood and Avenue
Lexington Park Area
- Lexington Park and California
- Great Mills and Patuxent River
- Park Hall and St. Mary's City
North & South County
- Mechanicsville and Charlotte Hall
- Ridge and Scotland
- Piney Point and Tall Timbers
Frequently Asked Questions for a St. Mary's County Criminal Lawyer
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in St. Mary'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. In a small county, diversion and negotiated dismissals are also realistic paths where the facts and your record support them.
Where will my case be heard?
Both courts are in Leonardtown. Misdemeanors start in the District Court, and felonies and jury trials move to the Circuit Court for St. Mary's County.
What should I bring to a consultation?
Bring your charging documents, any paperwork from the commissioner or court, and your court date notice. We will map the timeline, identify defenses, and outline a plan to protect your record and liberty.
How much does a criminal lawyer in St. Mary'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 St. Mary'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 St. Mary's DUI lawyer page and our Maryland DUI hub.
St. Mary's County Defense Resources
After an Arrest
DUI in St. Mary's
Charges We Defend
Talk to a St. Mary's County Criminal Lawyer
St. Mary's cases move quickly through a small court system where local knowledge counts. Talk to lawyers who defended cases here as public defenders. The first call is free.
Call 24/7: (877) 343-1031