Violent Crimes

Under Maryland law crimes of violence such as assault, robbery and attempted murder carry extremely harsh penalties upon conviction. In addition to jail time and supervised probation, a person who is found guilty of a violent crime could end up with a permanent criminal record and the loss of rights such as the ability to own a firearm. Maryland violent crimes lawyer Benjamin Herbst fights to protect his clients in all jurisdictions from the Eastern Shore to Western Maryland. Benjamin has fought and won numerous jury trials for violent offenses such as first-degree assault, attempted murder and armed robbery. He has also successfully argued for the dismissal of dozens of violent criminal charges prior to trial. If you or a loved one is facing a charge in a Maryland state or federal court contact Benjamin anytime for a free consultation at 410-207-2598. Benjamin’s two main priorities are keeping his clients out of jail and keeping their records clean, and he stops at nothing to achieve these goals. He is also an experienced juvenile criminal defense lawyer who has successfully argued for the transfer and dismissal of charges such as carjacking, robbery and felony assault. Benjamin is available 7 days a week and offers flexible payment plans for all criminal cases. He is also a skilled Maryland bail review lawyer who has argued for the release of hundreds of defendants charged with violent crimes.

First and second-degree assault are the most common violent offenses in the state, and the majority of these cases are domestically related. Benjamin specializes in domestic violence criminal defense in Maryland and understands that many of these cases are exaggerated or even completely fabricated. He is not afraid to put an alleged victim on the witness stand to make sure the truth comes out. First degree assault is typically charged when an individual makes an allegation of strangulation or serious bodily injury. A person may also be charged with felony first degree assault if a firearm is alleged to have been used. Under Maryland law brandishing a firearm can be enough to support a charge of first degree assault, which means the gun does not have to be fired or even loaded. The problem with the Maryland justice system is that it is far too easy for a civilian to make an accusation about the presence of a firearm or to say he or she was strangled. False first-degree assault charges are far too common, but Benjamin can fight back and make sure the charges are dismissed and the defendant is released from jail. Anyone convicted of assault in the first degree faces the realistic possibility of a lengthy jail sentence where the defendant would not be eligible for parole until at least half of the sentence is served. This is why hiring an experienced Maryland violent crimes lawyer is extremely important. Second-degree assault is not considered a violent offense for parole purposes, but it is a crime of violence under the public safety code. This means that a person convicted of misdemeanor second degree assault is potentially prohibited from possessing a firearm for life. Even a probation before judgement for a second-degree assault is considered a crime of violence if the assault was domestically related.

Other common violent offenses include robbery and armed robbery, which carry harsh jail sentences if a person is convicted. Both these offenses are considered felonies, but could be reduced to misdemeanors if the State amends the charge to conspiracy to commit robbery. Attempted murder is another relatively common offense in Maryland, which is often drastically overcharged. Anytime a deadly weapon is used in an assault a defendant may face attempted murder charges, which could carry a penalty of up to life in prison. Carjacking, murder and arson in the first degree are other violent offenses that Benjamin handles. His free consultations include explaining which defenses may be available and the possible outcomes of your case. He has successfully represented clients in all Maryland counties including Wicomico, Worcester, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince George’s and in Baltimore City.