Ocean City, MD Violent Crimes Attorneys

Knowledgeable Defense Lawyers for Violent Crimes in Ocean City, Maryland

A violent offense on your criminal record can follow you for years, with a far-reaching impact on both your employment and your social standing. If you have been arrested for a violent crime, the smartest thing you can do is to exercise your rights and call an attorney as soon as possible. With the assistance of an Ocean City criminal defense attorney, you can challenge the allegation in court and work to have the charges lightened or even dismissed.

At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we represent Maryland residents who have been accused of violent misdemeanors and felonies. With over 50 years of experience in criminal law, our attorneys have the skills to argue for a favorable outcome on your behalf.

Assault and Battery

Though many states differentiate between assault and battery, in Maryland, threats and acts of physical violence both fall under the crime of assault. An act of violence becomes assault when it is marked by the intent to cause harm. A public brawl may be over in a minute, but the criminal consequences of an assault charge can last far longer.

Assault in the second degree is a misdemeanor offense, usually reserved for cases where the offender intended to hurt the other person without causing serious harm. A slap can be charged as assault, but so can a punch, even if you do not make contact with the victim. While this may sound like a minor crime, the penalties are anything but. After a conviction, you could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison or fined up to $5,000.

First-degree assault is a felony offense, and it is defined by an intent to cause serious bodily harm to another person. Strangling or choking another person is a concrete example of first-degree assault, and pointing a gun at someone may also lead to assault charges. This crime carries a hefty sentence of up to 25 years in prison. Depending on your case, we may be able to argue that you were acting in self-defense or that your conduct was not intended to cause harm.

Rape and Sexual Assault

The use of force during an alleged act of rape or sexual assault can come with aggravated penalties. A second-degree count of rape or sexual offense can be escalated to the first degree if the victim was allegedly threatened with serious injury or death. The use of a dangerous weapon may also result in first-degree charges.

First-degree counts of rape and sexual assault can come with decades in prison following a conviction, so it is critical that you work with a skilled defense attorney who can dispute the allegations.

Domestic Violence

In Maryland, cases of domestic violence are usually charged as assault, with the only difference being that the court will be informed of the offender's relationship to the alleged victim. In many cases, police are called in the midst of a heated altercation, only for the victim to later retract their statement. However, once an assault charge has been entered against an offender, the court is unlikely to drop it, even at an accuser's urging.

At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we can help you prepare for a court hearing, presenting your side of the story to the court and highlighting any mitigating circumstances that could affect the assault charge.

Meet With an Ocean City, Maryland Violent Crime Defense Lawyer

A conviction for a violent crime can be hard to shake. At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, our Ocean City criminal defense lawyers are ready to advocate for you, building a case to get your charges reduced or potentially dropped.

We are available 24/7 for inquiries. To get started with a free initial consultation, you can call our offices at 410-280-2500 today or reach out to us online.