Tough Times Call For Tough Representation

Photo of Gary S. Bernstein

Straightforward, Aggressive Representation For Criminal Arrests

Being arrested can be an incredibly distressing time. You may not understand the charges against you or even the legal ramifications of your charge. Should you take a plea deal or hire a skilled defense attorney to fight the charges in court? You may not know whom to call for help – and in jail, you only get one call. Who do you turn to? Who can you trust?

I am attorney Gary S. Bernstein, and I understand what you’re going through. Over the course of my more than 40-year career, I have tried cases as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney, and if there is one thing I’ve learned it’s that everyone is entitled to aggressive representation no matter how heinous the offense is viewed. Whether you’re facing a felony or a misdemeanor, you should never have to suffer a future in which your freedom and rights are stripped because of procedural missteps, misinterpretations of the law or false allegations. You deserve to right your mistakes – to move on with your life – and I am just the lawyer to help.

‘No Plea’ – Protecting Your Rights Is Important

Many lawyers look to get in and out of court as quickly as possible, but not me. My objective is to secure the best possible outcome for my clients, and I know that this oftentimes can only happen before a judge and jury.

While you may want to put everything behind you as quickly as possible, I know this may not be the best outcome for you. Many criminal charges, including repeat drunk driving offense, drug charges, sexual offenses and other types of serious criminal charges can end up destroying your future. My style of counsel is down-to-earth and brutally honest sometimes – and my clients may not always like it – but they can never say I set unrealistic expectations or didn’t provide them with all the information they needed to make an informed decision about their life. 

The Sooner We Talk, The Better

I’m not the first to say this, but the sooner you contact me, the sooner I can help you. With some criminal cases, prosecutors have had months to gather evidence and build a case before springing it on a defendant, leaving the defendant feeling helpless and with few options. The sooner you contact me, the sooner I can request an exchange of information with prosecutors in a timely manner, and perform a thorough review of every piece of evidence. I will contact witnesses, gather additional evidence and consult with experts – among other things – to get to the truth.

I have handled countless cases at the state and federal level and have had appeals heard in the Court of Special Appeals and the Court of Appeals, which means I know the level of detail needed to withstand the scrutiny of any judge, at any level. Every case should be prepared for trial, even if there is a likelihood of a plea. This is how I practice law, and my clients have the assurance that their case is as important to me as it is to them.

Help With The Hearing After A Felony Charge

It’s very important to know that if you have been charged with a felony in Maryland and the felony is not within the jurisdiction of the District Court, you have just 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 within a very crucial time window. Do not forfeit this right by taking no action or not having proper legal representation.

Award-Winning. Distinguished. Results-Driven.

The awards and distinctions I have received over the past four decades are a testament to my skills as a strong defense attorney. Every year since 2007, I have been selected by my peers for inclusion in the Maryland Super Lawyers list in the criminal defense: DUI/DWI category. My peers have also selected me for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America each year since 2008. I am proud to hold the AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell*, which is one of the highest distinctions an attorney can receive, as well as a 10.0 rating on Avvo.

If awards and distinctions are not enough to indicate my level of skill as a defense attorney and my commitment to my clients’ best interests, I encourage you to ask me about my many successes inside the courtroom as well as encourage you to review any of the reviews I have received on Avvo.

Arrested? I Am Available 24/7.

I pride myself on being available 24/7, 365 days a year for my clients, and that includes you. If you have questions about your rights, I will absolutely explain them to you in straightforward terms. Allow me to provide you with the aggressive advocacy you need at this uncertain time. Contact me at my law office by calling 410-337-7770 or email a request for a free consultation. I respond promptly to every communication.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

The Best Lawyers in America 2013. Copyright 2012 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC