Chevy Chase, MD Criminal Defense Lawyer

Compassionate Maryland Attorneys for Criminal Defense in Chevy Chase

A criminal conviction can rob you of many things. You might be forced to serve years in prison as part of your sentence. You may be shunned by your family and friends. You may be burdened with fines you cannot reasonably pay off. With the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney in Chevy Chase, you stand a much better chance of having the charges against you reduced or dismissed outright. At The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC., our attorneys are committed to fighting criminal charges through proven strategies and thorough case-by-case analyses. Our firm has accumulated over 300 5-star reviews for our straightforward, reasonable representation, as we continually strive towards excellence in criminal defense.

Assault and Domestic Violence

In Maryland, assault is either charged in the first or second degree, with the former being more serious than the latter. First-degree assault covers cases where serious bodily harm was threatened or inflicted and is charged as a felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison. By contrast, second-degree assault covers minor infractions like pushing or spitting on another person and is charged as a misdemeanor. However, second-degree assault should still be taken seriously as it can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years in Maryland.

An act of assault can be charged as domestic violence if the victim was someone close to the alleged perpetrator, such as a spouse or child. The sentencing guidelines for domestic violence are the same as assault, but may carry greater stigma.

DUI

You can be charged with driving under the influence in Maryland if you are stopped in your vehicle with your blood alcohol content (BAC) at .08% or higher. For a first offense without any aggravating factors such as injuring another person or having a minor passenger under 14 in the vehicle, DUI is typically prosecuted as a misdemeanor. If you have no prior offenses on your record, you may be eligible for a DUI diversion program, an alternative sentence in lieu of a conviction that is meant to address underlying substance issues.

Upon a third or subsequent DUI conviction, you can expect to be charged with a felony with the possibility of more than a year in prison. Our attorneys can employ any number of strategies to defend against misdemeanor and felony DUI charges, whether by challenging the findings of a field sobriety test or arguing that a traffic stop violated your rights.

Juvenile Crimes

Minors are often tried in juvenile court for criminal allegations. However, certain severe offenses can result in a child being tried in adult court. Minors above the age of 14 can be tried as grown offenders on charges of attempted murder or sexual assault, including conspiracy to commit those crimes. At age 16, a minor can be charged as an adult for a wider range of offenses, typically weapon offenses, sex crimes, and other violent crimes.

Getting convicted on criminal charges as a minor can ruin your life before it has truly begun. If you or your child has been accused of a criminal charge, we highly advise you to seek legal representation from a qualified defense attorney to mitigate the consequences of a guilty verdict.

Speak With a Chevy Chase, MD Criminal Defense Attorney Today

The worst way you can respond to a criminal charge is to not take it seriously. If you go into your trial without adequate representation and counsel, you run the serious risk of a maximum sentence from an unforgiving judge. At The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC., our Chevy Chase criminal defense attorneys prepare extensively for every case, and when you work with us, we will fight for your rights no matter how grave the charge. To schedule a free consultation, call our offices at 301-589-9500 or contact us online.