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A Message From Raymond F. Anthracite

I appreciate how stressful it is to be charged with a crime. Let me guide you through this difficult time.

Making legal decisions on your own can be difficult and risky. A conviction for any crime can potentially endanger your job, your security clearance, or your driver’s license. Hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney is the best way to protect your rights, your future income potential, and your good name. Certain legal actions can only be taken within the first ten days after you’ve been charged with a crime. Engaging the services of a lawyer quickly is crucial, especially if you are charged with DUI or DWI, assault, possession or distribution of illegal drugs, or any felony.

For each case, I invent an original defense strategy covering every eventuality. I fully prepare each case for a trial in front of a judge or jury on the first court date, maximizing your chances of an acquittal. Even you choose to accept a deal, a comprehensive legal strategy will increase your leverage in plea negotiations.

I offer evening and weekend hours, and flat fees so that you know the total cost of my services in advance. Please contact me today at (301) 556-8709.

Call (301) 556-8709 for an attorney consultation. You will often be able to speak with a lawyer on the phone immediately. Mr. Anthracite responds to calls on weekends and holidays, and all messages will be returned within 24 hours.

Maryland Criminal Defense Topics

What to Do After You Have Been Arrested

It isn't over just because the officer arrested you. You have not been convicted of a crime, and may still escape without any permanent consequence other than the severe inconvenience of the arrest and a brief stay in jail. It is easy to despair, but don't give up! If you let your guard down . . . .

How to Handle a Police Stop

A large part of a police officer's job is to develop evidence that will lead to a conviction. At every stage of your encounter with the officer, you must assume that they are seeking evidence from you or your surroundings that could land you in jail. If you believe that you may be stopped by . . . .

Immigration Consequences

Even minor criminal and traffic charges can have immigration consequences much more severe than the penalty imposed for the crime itself. A minor conviction or plea that is punished by a fine only could result in you being deported, or denied entry to this country in the future. You can even be . . . .

Criminal Immigration Consequences - Inadmissible vs. Deportable

There are generally two classes of problem that you need to be worried about as a non-citizen facing criminal charges. The first is which outcomes will make you deportable, and the second is which outcomes will make you inadmissible. Some criminal acts will make you deportable if you are already . . . .

Maryland Criminal Practice Topics

Burglary

Maryland burglary charges usually involve breaking and entering a building with the intent to commit a crime. In Maryland, first degree burglary, second degree burglary, and third degree burglary are felonies. Fourth degree burglary is a misdemeanor. Because burglary offenses are often serious . . . .

Arrest Warrants

There are two major types of warrant in Maryland, either of which may result in your arrest. There are arrest warrants, which are secret, and bench warrants, which are not. I have a lot of experience dealiing with both types of warrant, and I can often get them withdrawn. Even when the warrant . . . .

Contempt of Court

You may be held in contempt of court if you disrupt the operation of a court, or if you fail to obey a court order. Contempt of court in the presence of the judge is sometimes punished immediately, but contempt is often handled in a separate hearing, where I can present a defense on your . . . .

Expungement

When your Maryland criminal or traffic case is over, you may not want a future employer or other prying eyes to see the charges on your record. If you received a stet or a disposition of probation before judgment more than three years ago, or if your case did not result in a conviction, I can . . . .

Bail Reduction

After you or a loved one is arrested, the commissioner or judge may set bail at a level that you and your family are unable to afford. With my help, we may be able to get the judge to reduce the bail amount, or change the terms on which it must be paid so that a delay in going to trial doesn't . . . .

Assault and Reckless Endangerment

With my effective legal assistance, assault and reckless endangerment charges can often be resolved in a way that preserves your freedom and your good name. There are many defenses available, and alternatives to conviction can frequently be negotiated. I can also expose lies or inconsistencies in . . . .

Violation of Probation (VOP)

A violation of probation is a serious matter, one that could easily result in jail time without effective legal representation. If you are found to have committed a violation of probation (VOP), you may be imprisoned for part or all of the portion of your sentence that was suspended when you were . . . .

Appeals

If you have plead guilty or been found guilty of a crime, you may be able to overturn your conviction or change your sentence with an appeal. Maryland appeals must be filed within short time limits after your case is over, and the help of a lawyer is essential. Contact me immediately if your are . . . .

Peace Orders and Protective Orders

A petition for a Maryland peace order or protective order must allege specific criminal acts as the basis for the order. I can effectively defend you against the issuance of a Maryland peace order or protective order, and against any related criminal charges, including harassment, assault, . . . .

Drug Crimes - Possession, Distribution, Paraphernalia, etc.

It's always stressful when a police officer charges you with possessing or distributing illegal drugs or paraphernalia. While drug charges can be serious and lead to a jail sentence, an effective defense can result in an acquittal or a deal that keeps you out of jail and preserves your reputation. . . . .

Possession with Intent to Distribute, Distribution, or Manufacturing a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS)

Maryland drug distribution, possession with intent to distribute, and manufacturing charges are particularly serious.  Prison sentences can be lengthy, and significant mandatory minimums are in place for more serious offenses. All of these crimes are felonies. Crimes involving production and . . . .

Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS)

It is unlawful to possess or administer an illegal drug, which is called a "Controlled Dangerous Substance" or a CDS under Maryland law. Maryland makes a distinction between marijuana and all other illegal drugs. Possessing or using marijuana is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 . . . .

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Controlled Paraphernalia, or Equipment to Produce a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS)

Maryland drug paraphernalia crimes often involve items with a lawful use, and generally require more than mere possession of the item. There must be some indication that the item is intended for use with an illegal drug, which in Maryland is referred to as a controlled dangerous substance, or CDS. . . . .

Fraud - Bad Checks, Credit Cards, Forgery, etc.

Maryland fraud crimes can result in serious penalties, even for relatively small dollar values. A bad check or credit card fraud of only $501 could result in a sentence of up to fifteen years, and being permanently branded as a felon. Even if you avoid a lengthy sentence, having a felony . . . .

Bad Checks

A bad check offense can destroy your reputation and result in serious penalties, even if the check has a very low dollar value. Any conviction for a bad check offense can make it very difficult to find housing or employment, as it is an offense that indicates to people that you cannot be trusted. . . . .

Credit Card Fraud

If you are accused of committing any form of credit card fraud in Maryland, you may also be charged with any number of crimes that cover the same behavior. Many credit card crimes are also charged as theft or identity theft. Under Maryland's identity theft statute, a credit card number . . . .

Disorderly Conduct or Disturbing the Peace

Disorderly Conduct and Disturbing the Peace are catch-all charges in Maryland that are sometimes used when a police officer is dissatisfied with the behavior of the defendant, but the defendant has not actually broken any other law. While the maximum sentence is only 60 days of imprisonment and a . . . .

Theft Crimes - Shoplifting, Stolen Property, etc.

Maryland has a variety of theft crimes, which share the same penalty structure. The maximum sentence varies with the value of the property involved, but can also depend on the number of prior convictions for theft crimes. The sort of theft crime committed does not change the maximum sentence at . . . .

Traffic and License Offenses

Traffic and license offenses less severe than a DUI or DWI can destroy your otherwise clean record, lead to a loss of your license, and, for more egregious violations, even lead to jail time. A conviction for Reckless or Aggressive Driving, or Driving on a Suspended License could severely impair . . . .

Points for Maryland Traffic Tickets and Traffic Violations

Points will be assessed against you if you are convicted in court for the violation listed on your traffic ticket, or if you admit the violation by paying the preset amount shown on the ticket. Points are current for two years. As you accumulate certain preset levels of current points, the . . . .

Provisional License Suspension and Revocation

As a provisional driver's license holder in Maryland, you are at risk of having your license suspended or worse, even if you have only ever had two minor traffic violations. Provisional license holders also face stiff insurance rates, based on their provisional status, age, and inexperience. . . . .

Driving With a Suspended, Cancelled, Refused, or Revoked License

Driving with a suspended, canceled, refused, or revoked license in Maryland can have serious consequences. There are two sets of penalties that apply, depending on the reason that you do not have a valid license. The first set of penalties apply when your license is suspended for failure to pay . . . .

Driving an Uninsured Vehicle

In Maryland, driving an uninsured vehicle is an incarcerable offense, with a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of $1,000 for a first offense, and two years and $2,000 for a second offense. It also carries five points, which can raise your insurance rates in the future, and may lead to . . . .

Driving Without a License

Driving without a license in Maryland could subject you to harsh penalties, particularly if you are a repeat offender, or if you do not have a license because you have been convicted of another crime. For a first offense, you could be jailed for up to 60 days and fined up to $500. For a second . . . .

DUI and DWI

A Maryland DUI or DWI case has two major aspects that proceed simultaneously. The first aspect of your case is your upcoming trial on the criminal charges of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Impaired (DWI), where you go before a judge on your trial date, and you could potentially . . . .

Call (301) 556-8709 for an attorney consultation. You will often be able to speak with a lawyer on the phone immediately. Mr. Anthracite responds to calls on weekends and holidays, and all messages will be returned within 24 hours.