Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Maryland
How criminal defense lawyers in Maryland charge, your right to a court-appointed lawyer, how bail works, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Maryland: fee rules
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland, created in 1965 and supported by practicing attorneys, reimburses clients who lose money through misappropriation by Maryland lawyers (or out-of-state lawyers authorized to practice in Maryland) acting as attorneys or fiduciaries, except to the extent the loss is bonded; malpractice is not covered. Reimbursement for one claim, or all claims against the same attorney, cannot exceed 5% of the Fund's net balance. Claims must be filed within six months after the claimant discovers the theft (the Trustees may accept late claims). Filing is free, and a lawyer who helps may not charge a fee. Fund home: https://www.mdcourts.gov/cpf ; governing rules: Md. Rules 19-601 to 19-610 |
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Maryland rules to know first
| Getting a court-appointed lawyer | The Office of the Public Defender represents eligible indigent individuals. An applicant states in writing, under oath or affirmation, that he or she cannot pay for full representation without undue financial hardship (§ 16-210(a)). If the applicant's assets and net annual income are less than 100% of the federal poverty guidelines, eligibility may be determined without a need assessment; otherwise eligibility depends on need, considering the nature, extent and liquidity of assets, disposable net income, the nature of the offense, the length and complexity of the proceedings, and other foreseeable expenses (§ 16-210(b)-(c)). A person charged with a crime carrying possible incarceration may apply to a District Court commissioner, who determines indigency and notifies the individual in writing; the Office may provide provisional representation, and a person later found ineligible must hire counsel and reimburse the Office (§ 16-210(c)(4)-(5), (d)). No application fee is stated in § 16-210. Source: Md. Code, Crim. Proc. § 16-210 |
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| Bail and release before trial | After arrest a defendant goes before a judicial officer (often a District Court commissioner) for an initial appearance. The pretrial release law is to be construed liberally to rely on 'criminal sanctions instead of financial loss' to ensure appearance; a court may release a defendant on personal recognizance if it believes the defendant will appear, except a defendant charged with a crime punishable by life imprisonment without parole or with a § 5-202(d) crime after a prior § 5-202(d) conviction (Crim. Proc. § 5-101). A District Court commissioner may not release certain defendants — including those charged with escape, as a drug kingpin, with a crime of violence after a prior crime-of-violence conviction, with listed crimes committed while on release, with violating a protective order, with listed weapons offenses after a prior conviction, or who are registered sex offenders; only a judge may release them, several carry a rebuttable presumption that the defendant will flee and pose a danger, and for some a judge must order detention if no condition will reasonably ensure appearance and safety (Crim. Proc. § 5-202). § 5-202: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?enactments=false&article=gcp§ion=5-202 |
| Felony classes and sentences | Maryland does not grade felonies into numbered classes in the statutes reviewed; each offense statute states whether the crime is a felony or misdemeanor and sets its own maximum prison term and fine. Example (theft): $1,500 to under $25,000 — felony, up to 5 years and/or a fine up to $10,000; $25,000 to under $100,000 — felony, up to 10 years and/or $15,000; $100,000 or more — felony, up to 20 years and/or $25,000. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Maryland State Bar Association does not make referrals itself; it says "Your county's bar association can help you find a lawyer in your area" and lists county bar numbers, including Anne Arundel (410) 222-6859, Baltimore City (410) 539-3112, Baltimore County, Carroll and Frederick (410) 337-9100, Harford (410) 836-0123, Howard (410) 313-3853, Montgomery (301) 279-9100, and Prince George's and Charles (301) 952-1440. Fees are set by each county service. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Maryland Judiciary's attorney listing, drawn from its Attorney Information System, lets you search by last name (partial names allowed) and first name, with a similar-names option. An attorney listed as active is in good standing and authorized to practice; other listings may show inactive or retired attorneys, judges, or attorneys with disciplinary or administrative actions affecting eligibility. Questions: Supreme Court of Maryland Clerk's Office, 410-260-1500. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints about Maryland lawyers go to the Attorney Grievance Commission's Office of Bar Counsel, which investigates and prosecutes violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Read the instructions, complete and print the Attorney Complaint Form (English or Spanish), and mail it to the Office of Bar Counsel, 200 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Suite 300, Annapolis, MD 21401. Questions: (410) 514-7051 (staff cannot discuss complaint details by phone). Public sanctions and actions affecting licensure are posted on the Commission's website. Sanctions: https://www.mdcourts.gov/attygrievance/sanctions |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | The Maryland Court Help Center, run by the Maryland Judiciary, offers "Free legal help with your civil matter" by phone at 410-260-1392, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Maryland Legal Aid, the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization, provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income Marylanders. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Maryland · Background guide
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.