Alpert Schreyer, LLC

DEFENDING AGAINST MARYLAND THEFT CHARGES

In the state of Maryland, theft is generally defined as depriving a person of property without permission or consent. Under Maryland law, the crimes of larceny, larceny by trick, embezzlement, false pretenses, and shoplifting all fall under the umbrella of theft.

If you have been charged with a theft crime in the state of Maryland, you should immediately seek out a seasoned criminal defense lawyer who can represent you throughout your case. The knowledgeable Maryland criminal defense lawyers at Alpert Schreyer, LLC, may assist you with your case and help you formulate a good legal defense. A good defense may allow you to obtain a complete dismissal of your charge or a favorable plea deal with the prosecution.

TYPES OF THEFT OFFENSES IN MARYLAND

Maryland theft offenses are classified in five different groups, depending upon the value of the property stolen. The least serious theft offense—petty theft—usually involves shoplifting. Petty theft is a misdemeanor in Maryland and can result in as many as 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. Misdemeanor theft involves theft of merchandise valued at between $100 and $1,000. A misdemeanor theft conviction can result in incarceration of as many as 18 months in prison and a $500 fine.

The varying degrees of felony theft cover merchandise valued from $1,000 to more than $100,000. The penalties upon conviction for these very serious theft offenses can range from 25 years in prison to a $25,000 fine, or both.

In addition to being charged with and convicted of theft, a criminal defendant may also face civil liability for the stolen merchandise. The criminal defendant must typically pay twice the value of the property in restitution to the property owner.

DEFENSES TO MARYLAND THEFT CHARGES

In Maryland criminal cases, including theft cases, the state must meet its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while the defendant has the burden of proving legal defenses to refute the state’s allegations.

Maryland law provides various legal defenses to theft charges. A knowledgeable Maryland criminal defense lawyer may help you formulate a good legal defense to your theft charge. Some common defenses to Maryland theft charges include:

Alibis
Mistakes of fact
Lack of criminal intent to steal
Coercion by someone else
Duress by a law enforcement officer
Ownership of the subject property

CONTACT A MARYLAND CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER TODAY FOR A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

A theft conviction in Maryland can result in long periods of incarceration and high fines, not to mention a criminal record. If you have been charged with theft in the state of Maryland, the criminal defense attorneys at Alpert Schreyer, LLC, may be able to assist you.

To schedule a free case evaluation or case evaluation with a Maryland criminal defense lawyer, please call us at (866) 444-6363 or contact us online.

MARYLAND TAKES DUI ARRESTS SERIOUSLY

The Maryland State police recently celebrated a State Trooper for breaking a statewide record for arrests of suspected impaired drivers. The standing record involved arresting more than 100 people per year on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) for three years straight. Reports indicate that the new record-holder has arrested an average or 120 to 140 people for DUI for four years in a row.

In 2013, the State Police started an Impaired Driving Reduction Effort, which has arrested over 2,500 people for DUI stemming from over 7,600 traffic stops. The state celebrates such efforts as reducing the harm caused by drunk drivers across the state. While reducing the dangers of impaired driving is important, departments focused on catching drunk drivers can often violate the rights of citizens during their endeavors.

UNLAWFUL TRAFFIC STOPS

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure by the police. A traffic stop can be considered a seizure for the purposes of the law and, therefore, police may not simply stop drivers on a whim or whenever they want. Instead, a police officer must have an articulable reasonable suspicion that a driver committed a crime in order to pull them over. This can be something as small as not using a blinker but some type of reasonable suspicion of a violation must exist for a traffic stop to be legal.

Often, when a task force is dedicated to catching drunk drivers, they can—intentionally or unintentionally—stretch the limits of a lawful stop. For example, imagine a police officer is on the side of the road waiting by a popular strip of restaurants and bars. A car drives by and the officer believes that a driver swerved and assumes the driver had been drinking. In reality, the driver may have looked away for one moment and then corrected their position in their lane and the officer’s imagination exaggerated the movement. No violation occurred and merely correcting a position should not be reasonable suspicion of a crime.

If an officer pulls you over and arrests you on suspicion of DUI, it is essential to have a defense attorney who will closely examine all of the circumstances involving your traffic stop or arrest. If a traffic stop was illegal, our lawyers can argue that everything arising from that unlawful stop should be kept out of evidence because it was in violation of your Fourth Amendment rights.

CONTACT A MARYLAND DUI DEFENSE ATTORNEY FOR HELP TODAY

Proving that a traffic stop or an arrest was unlawful is only one of many ways to defend against DUI charges in Maryland. The penalties for a DUI conviction can be serious and can affect many different aspects of your life. It is critical to have a defense lawyer who can explore every possible option to defend against your charges and to reduce the penalties you face. If you have been arrested for DUI, you should not wait any longer to discuss your situation with a DUI defense lawyer at Alpert & Schreyer, LLC. Call (866) 444-6363 or contact us online today.

Frederick Maryland DUI Lawyers

The Law Offices of Alpert Schreyer have an established reputation as one of the top rated DUI/DWI and criminal defense law firms in the State of Maryland . Partners Andrew Alpert and Michael Schreyer, each bring specific knowledge and advanced training to every case in order to create a well-rounded defense team known for their commitment to their clients and proficiency in the courtroom.

Attorney Andrew Alpert is a founding partner and former prosecutor with more than 25 years of experience and advanced training in Maryland DUI laws which allows him to confidently and effectively defend clients facing alcohol-related traffic charges. He has achieved success for thousands of clients, including high-profile vehicular manslaughter and repeat offender DUI/DWI cases.

Over the years, Attorney Alpert, along with his experienced legal team, have helped Maryland DUI/DWI and criminal defense clients face their charges with the insight, knowledge and the aggressive defense strategies necessary to preserve their rights and well being. Success in court does not only mean an end to prosecution, it means that heavy fines and long-term imprisonment that could harm defendants and their family for years to come can be avoided.

Clients who come to Alpert Schreyer can rest assured that they will receive highly skilled representation that has been tested through years of experience and continued success. The firm has a proven track record of representing clients facing serious criminal charges including but not limited to: drug crimes, drunk driving, theft, homicide, weapons charges, and manslaughter. We know firsthand the serious toll that a criminal conviction can bring. But we also know how to fight for the best outcome for our clients and will work to make sure you are defended from penalties that could alter your entire life.

While no two cases are alike, the skilled and insightful representation of the legal team of attorneys at Alpert Schreyer will be tailored to suit the unique needs of clients and the challenges they face.

At Alpert Schreyer we handle your case in an entirely different way. Instead of searching for the easy way out, we prepare ourselves to fight for your rights. Andrew Alpert has been fighting for his clients for over 25 years and has fought thousands of cases. He has attended extensive scientific and legal training and uses that knowledge to fight for you. From the moment you speak with us, you will understand the difference that knowledge and experience make.