Learn More About Criminal Defense Law in West Friendship, Maryland

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West Friendship is an unincorporated community in north central Howard County, Maryland, that carries the zip code of 21794. It maintains its roots as a rural farming community but is seeing a steady replacement of farms for residences, like most areas within an hour's drive of the Baltimore-Washington corridor. It is the site of the Howard County Fairgrounds and the home of the Howard County Fair the best fair ever. West Friendship is located at the junction of Interstate 70/U.S. Highway 40/Maryland Route 144 and Maryland Route 32. It is home of the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. There is the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. which has been in service since 1944. The community has a small shopping center which houses a bank, the US Post Office, two sandwich shops, a dentist, and a gas station. West Friendship is also home to regionally-acclaimed Bluegrass hangout, The Friendly Inn.

Criminal Defense Law Lawyers In West Friendship Maryland

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What is criminal defense law?

In a criminal case, the state, through a prosecutor, initiates the suit, while in a civil case the victim brings the suit. Persons convicted of a crime may be incarcerated, fined, or both. Criminal defense attorneys represent clients who have been accused of committing a crime, and defend their rights at each stage of a misdemeanor or felony case -- from an arrest to an appeal after conviction. Criminal defense attorneys may be hired privately or provided by the government (called "public defenders").

Answers to criminal defense law issues in Maryland

What are the limits of the police to search me or my home?

The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution says that you have a right to be free of unreasonable police searches and...

When can a police officer make an arrest?

The general criteria for making an arrest is what is referred to as probable cause. Probable cause arises when there...

Do the police need a warrant to search or arrest?

There are two different types of warrants that may be issued:

  • arrest warrants - an order issued by a...
What are my rights after I have been detained by the police?

The Miranda decision relates specifically to the rights of a criminal suspect after he has been detained by the...

How do you deal with bail?

Bail is typically set by a magistrate or a judge who considers the seriousness of the offense and the likelihood of...

What happens in the first court appearance?

Early in the course of a criminal proceeding, the defendant will be brought into court and the charges brought...

Can a person strike a deal with the prosecutor to avoid trial?

At any point during this process the defendant may plead guilty to the charge leveled against him or her. Likewise,...

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

Criminal offenses can be divided into two general categories:

  • ­felonies -- a crime for which a person...
What are the different crimes that people can commit?

The distinguishing feature of criminal law is the element of punishment. The purpose of criminal law is to punish...

What are defenses to crimes?

There are several defenses that can be raised in a criminal case. The defenses listed here are a sampling of those...