Important Maryland Criminal Information

Important Information in Criminal Cases

FELONY CHARGES

In criminal case involving felonies you have 10 days to request a preliminary hearing if you failed to do so at your initial appearance before a court commissioner. This is a valuable right, which should not be forfeited by inaction or the failure to contact counsel.

RIGHT TO COUNSEL IN DUI AND CRIMINAL CASES

If you had an initial appearance before a court commissioner, you have been advised of your right to counsel, and you may not be granted a postponement to obtain counsel on your scheduled trial date in the District Court.

If you request a jury trial on your scheduled trial date, the case may be sent the Circuit Court for an immediate jury trial. If you have appeared before the commissioner or have received a previous postponement and been advised of your right to counsel, you are not entitled to a postponement in the Circuit Court to obtain counsel.

There is a concerted effort by the Maryland Judiciary to keep the trial courts from becoming overloaded because of the granting of postponements. This is not unique to Maryland. You do not want to defend yourself without a lawyer.