Criminal Defense Lawyer in Montgomery County, Maryland
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides experienced criminal defense representation in Montgomery County, Maryland. Second-degree assault carries up to 10 years in jail under Md. Code, Criminal Law Article; the firm has 21 documented case results in Montgomery County across all practice areas with a 95% favorable outcome rate. Our Maryland location serves clients by appointment only.
In Montgomery County, misdemeanors are tried at the District Court of MD for Montgomery County, while felonies proceed to Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Maryland Criminal Law Statutes
Maryland criminal offenses are defined in the Md. Code, Criminal Law Article (CR). For example, second-degree assault is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a $2,500 fine (Md. Code, Criminal Law Article § 3-203). Theft under $100 is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 90 days, while theft of $1,500 to $25,000 is a felony carrying up to 5 years. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, uses this statutory knowledge to build strong defenses.
Last verified: March 2026 | District Court of MD for Montgomery County | Maryland General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of Maryland criminal statutes, visit the Maryland General Assembly website (mgaleg.maryland.gov). For court-specific information, procedures, and forms, refer to the District Court of MD for Montgomery County website (courts.state.md.us).
Montgomery County Court Process
The key local procedural fact is that Montgomery County District Court handles all misdemeanor trials and initial appearances for felonies. The State’s Attorney for Montgomery County prosecutes cases. Maryland’s Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) is a critical disposition that avoids a formal conviction on your record.
- Initial Appearance: Appear before a District Court commissioner who sets bail within 24 hours of arrest.
- Bail Review: Attend a bail review hearing in District Court if detained.
- Arraignment: Enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest at your arraignment.
- Pre-Trial Motions: File motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges based on procedural errors.
- Negotiation or Trial: Negotiate for a favorable disposition like PBJ or proceed to trial.
- Sentencing or Expungement: If convicted, argue for minimal sentencing. If eligible, file for expungement after waiting periods.
Criminal Penalties in Montgomery County
In Montgomery County, criminal charges carry a range of penalties from 90 days for minor theft to 25 years for first-degree assault.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theft under $100 | Misdemeanor | Up to 90 days | Up to $500 | None | Civil restitution |
| Theft $100-$1,500 | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months | Up to $500 | None | Restitution, possible PBJ |
| Second-Degree Assault | Misdemeanor | Up to 10 years | Up to $2,500 | None | Protective order possible |
| Theft $1,500-$25,000 | Felony | Up to 5 years | Up to $10,000 | None | Felony record |
| First-Degree Assault | Felony | Up to 25 years | Up to $5,000 | None | Violent felony record |
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Firm Credentials
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 and brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to criminal defense. The firm maintains a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide. Our tagline, “Global advocacy. Local precision,” reflects our approach to Maryland criminal law.
Case Results in Montgomery County
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 total documented case results across all practice areas in Montgomery County, achieving a 95% favorable outcome rate for our clients. These results include dismissals, reductions, and favorable plea agreements.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Local Criminal Defense Services
Our Rockville, Maryland location is centrally located to serve clients at Montgomery County courts, accessible via I-270, I-495, and Route 355 (Rockville Pike). We are a criminal defense lawyer near Montgomery County serving Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Wheaton, Kensington, Potomac, Olney, Damascus, Clarksburg, Takoma Park, and Chevy Chase. We offer 24/7 phone consultations at (888) 437-7747. Meetings are by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
199 E. Montgomery Ave, Suite 100, Room 211
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (301) 363-4040 | Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (888)-437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) in Montgomery County, Maryland?
PBJ is a Maryland disposition where the judge places you on probation instead of entering a guilty verdict. PBJ avoids a formal conviction on your record and is available for most misdemeanors and many felonies at District Court of MD for Montgomery County. After probation, PBJ cases can be expunged (3-year waiting period).
Can I get my criminal record expunged in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Maryland allows expungement for acquittals, dismissals, Nolle Prosequi, Stet, PBJ (after 3 years), and many non-violent convictions under the Justice Reinvestment Act. Cases in Montgomery County are expunged through the court where the case was heard.
What happens after a criminal arrest in Montgomery County, Maryland?
After arrest: initial appearance before a District Court commissioner who sets bail, bail review hearing within 24 hours if detained, arraignment, then trial. Misdemeanors are tried at District Court of MD for Montgomery County. Felonies go to Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Yes. Many Maryland misdemeanors carry significant penalties — second-degree assault: up to 10 years; theft $100-$1,500: up to 6 months. An attorney can negotiate PBJ (no conviction on record) or dismissal.
What is the difference between District Court and Circuit Court in Montgomery County?
The District Court of MD for Montgomery County handles misdemeanor trials and initial appearances for all crimes. The Montgomery County Circuit Court handles felony jury trials, appeals from District Court, and more complex criminal matters.
Related Legal Services
Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer – Our state hub page.
Prince George’s County Criminal Defense Lawyer | Howard County Criminal Defense Lawyer – Defense in nearby counties.
Montgomery County DUI Lawyer | Montgomery County Family Law Lawyer – Other practice areas we handle locally.
Last verified: March 2026. Information updated as of 2026-02-15. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.