Ocean City, MD Criminal Inquiries & Hearings Attorneys

Knowledgeable Lawyers Providing Representation in Criminal Hearings in Ocean City, Maryland

After getting arrested in Maryland, you may be required to make multiple court appearances during your criminal case. These hearings serve different purposes, such as informing you of your rights, determining bail, and more. A criminal defense lawyer in Ocean City can help you prepare for court hearings and advise you every step of the way.

At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we are very familiar with the various inquiries and hearings that will be required during a criminal case. We can represent you at the different stages of your legal proceedings, ensuring that your rights are properly advocated for in front of a judge.

Appearing Before a District Court Commissioner

After you are arrested, you will be brought before a District Court commissioner in an initial appearance known as a preliminary inquiry. The main purpose of this meeting is to provide you with information about your case. You will be informed of the possible criminal penalties for a conviction. You will also be informed of your right to an attorney. Moreover, if you were charged with a felony offense, the commissioner will let you know that you have a right to a preliminary hearing.

Lastly, the commissioner will set bail for your charge. If the commissioner judges that you pose a danger to yourself or others, you might be held without bail. Based on the specific offense you have been charged with and whether the commissioner believes you may be a flight risk, you may be required to pay bail to secure a release, and conditions of bail may also be put in place. For lower-level offenses or if you are not believed to be a flight risk, you may be released without having to pay bail (referred to as personal recognizance).

The Preliminary Hearing

If you have been charged with a felony, you may be required to attend a preliminary inquiry in court. At this hearing, you cannot present evidence or testify on your own behalf. However, you will be allowed to cross-examine witnesses and learn about the evidence against you. The court will also consider whether there is probable cause to charge you with a crime. If the court finds that there was no probable cause, your case may be dismissed.

Having a skilled criminal attorney at your side during a preliminary hearing can make a significant difference in your case. Your lawyer can question the strength of the prosecution's case and potentially get a felony charge dismissed or reduced to a misdemeanor offense.

The Trial

Only a small percentage of criminal cases go to trial in Maryland. In many cases, criminal matters can be handled through plea bargains, which is a significantly shorter, less expensive process than going to trial. Your defense attorney can negotiate for favorable terms, such as getting the charges reduced to a lesser offense or even getting your case dropped altogether.

A plea bargain may allow for reduced jail time or alternative sentencing like community service instead of incarceration. If the prosecutor will not agree to a reasonable plea bargain, a trial may be necessary. If your case goes to trial, our criminal defense lawyers are ready to put up an aggressive argument on your behalf. As a former federal prosecutor, Attorney Dennis Murphy can negotiate for favorable outcomes outside of court or fight for you in a trial.

Contact Our Ocean City, MD Criminal Defense Lawyers for Hearings and Inquiries

When it comes to fighting a criminal charge in Maryland, you should turn to a qualified attorney for assistance and representation. At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, our Ocean City criminal defense attorneys are ready to help you through the legal proceedings, fighting for a favorable resolution with minimal disruption to your life.

We are available 24/7 for any client concerns. Call our offices at 410-280-2500 or reach out to us online for a free initial consultation.