Waldorf Criminal Defense Lawyer

When you hire us, you can be confident that you are giving yourself the best chance possible at fighting your charges. With over 125 years of combined experience, our team is well-equipped to handle even the most challenging cases.

Andrew Alpert is also:

• Recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer
• Recognized by Maryland Super Lawyers
• Founding member of the DUI Defense Lawyer Association
• Member of the American Chemical Society

• Thoroughly investigate your case
• Determine the best possible strategies to use
• Keep you updated and informed
• Find defenses that could apply to your case
• Fight to get your charges reduced or even dropped
• Take your case to trial, if necessary

During your consultation, we’ll take the time to understand the details of your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin building a strong defense strategy tailored to your unique situation. Don’t wait—let us start advocating for your rights and working toward the best possible outcome for you.

While hiring a criminal defense attorney is not mandatory if you’ve been accused or charged with a crime, it is the best way to protect your rights and achieve a favorable outcome.

Defense attorneys have extensive knowledge of the cases they handle and are well-versed in the criminal justice system and court procedures. Their experience with similar cases allows them to develop a strategic plan tailored to your situation.

While it is possible to navigate the legal process without an attorney, doing so significantly increases the risk of errors or unfavorable results. Working with an attorney ensures you have a skilled advocate on your side, giving you the best chance for success.

Hiring a lawyer when you are innocent is not an admission of guilt—it’s a smart decision to protect yourself and ensure the best possible outcome. Even if you are confident in your innocence, navigating the legal system without professional representation can leave you vulnerable to mistakes or misunderstandings that the prosecution might exploit.

A skilled criminal defense attorney will work to ensure your rights are upheld, gather and present evidence that supports your innocence, and challenge any weak or unfair aspects of the prosecution’s case. They will also handle complex legal procedures, allowing you to focus on maintaining your peace of mind during this stressful time.

Remember, even innocent people can face wrongful convictions due to errors in evidence, misinterpretation of facts, or procedural mistakes. By hiring an attorney, you are taking proactive steps to protect your reputation, freedom, and future.

A critical role of a criminal defense lawyer is to thoroughly investigate your case. This process begins with discussing the details of your situation and understanding the circumstances surrounding your charges.

From there, your lawyer will gather evidence to support your defense. This may involve speaking with witnesses, visiting the crime scene, reviewing photographs or video footage, and examining other relevant materials.

Beyond building your case, your attorney will carefully analyze the prosecution’s evidence, looking for weaknesses, inconsistencies, or procedural errors that can be challenged.

By combining the available evidence with their extensive knowledge and experience, your lawyer will craft a strategic defense aimed at achieving the best possible outcome for you.

Under certain circumstances, a police officer can make an arrest without first obtaining a warrant. This is an important aspect of law enforcement designed to allow officers to respond promptly to crimes and protect public safety when immediate action is required. However, these warrantless arrests must meet specific legal criteria to be valid.

At least one of the following criteria must be met for a warrantless arrest:

• A person commits or attempts to commit a felony or misdemeanor in the presence or within the view of the police officer.
• The police officer has probable cause to believe that a felony or misdemeanor is being committed in the presence or within the view of the police officer, and the officer reasonable believes the person to have committed the crime.
• The police officer has probable cause to believe that a felony has been committed or attempted, and the person has committed or attempted to commit the felony whether or not in the presence or within the view of the police officer.

Therefore, if one of the above conditions is met, an officer does not need a warrant to arrest a suspect. If you suspect none of the above applied to your situation, speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

The foundation of Maryland search law is the principle of probable cause. This requires that a law enforcement officer have a reasonable belief that a crime has been or is being committed or that evidence of a crime is likely to be found at a specific location. Although search warrants are typically required to ensure a search is lawful, there are certain limited circumstances where a warrantless search may be legally justified.

These circumstances include:

• Search Incident to Arrest: Officers may search a suspect and their immediate surroundings without a warrant to ensure safety and prevent the destruction of evidence following a lawful arrest.
• Plain View: If an officer is lawfully present and sees evidence of a crime in plain view, they may seize it without a warrant.
• Exigent Circumstances: In emergency situations, such as when evidence may be destroyed, or public safety is at risk, officers can conduct a warrantless search to address the immediate threat.

If you suspect your property or person may have been searched unconstitutionally, bring it up immediately to your attorney.

A plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and the prosecution in which the defendant/s agrees to plead guilty to some or all of the charges against them in exchange for concessions from the prosecutors.

Typically, prosecutors will concede to reduce a defendant’s punishment or the number of charges they face. If a plea bargain is reached, the case will typically not proceed to trial.

Your attorney may recommend accepting a plea bargain if it serves your best interests as the defendant. However, the decision should be carefully considered. The best way to determine whether to accept a plea deal is to consult with your attorney.

They can evaluate the specifics of your case, explain your options and the plea bargaining process, and provide informed recommendations to help you make the best decision.