Areas We Serve in Howard County & Beyond
Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving Clients Statewide
The foundation of Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake was built in Howard County. Our attorneys, David Zwanetz and Justin Lake, bring more than 50 combined years of criminal defense experience to the table, including invaluable time spent as former prosecutors in Howard County. We know how the state builds its cases because we used to build them ourselves.
Over time, our reputation for fierce, prepared defense spread beyond those county lines. Our clients began asking us to travel to defend their family members, protect their businesses, and represent them in neighboring jurisdictions.
Today, our attorneys represent clients in courts across every county in Maryland, not just Howard County or even our closest neighbors. If you are facing a criminal charge anywhere in the state, the single most important step you can take is to speak with a defense attorney before speaking with investigators or entering any plea.
Call us at (410) 927-5137, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we will tell you honestly what you are facing and what we can do about it.
The Counties We Know Best
Because being licensed throughout the state means our attorneys can meet you wherever your case lands, we have expanded our footprint over time. We confidently bring our rigorous trial standards to courts across Maryland, actively defending clients in these jurisdictions on a weekly, if not daily, basis.
We serve the following areas:
- Howard County
- Columbia: We handle everything from DUI and drug charges along the Route 29 and Route 108 corridors to white-collar offenses tied to local commercial hubs.
- Ellicott City: As the county seat, this is our home turf; our attorneys hold deep institutional knowledge of both the District and Circuit Courts located right here in town.
- Anne Arundel County
- Glen Burnie: We regularly defend clients against traffic, DUI, and assault charges originating along the heavily patrolled BWI, Route 2, and I-97 corridors.
- Annapolis: We frequently appear in the state capital to handle everything from local disorderly conduct charges to serious felony trials in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.
- Baltimore County
- Catonsville: Sitting right on the border of Howard County, we routinely handle cases stemming from local stops along Route 40 and the Baltimore Beltway.
- Towson: Home to the Baltimore County Circuit Court, we appear here for serious felony trials, as well as alcohol-related offenses near the university area.
- Carroll County
- Frederick County
- Prince George's County
- Montgomery County
Whether you are facing charges in our backyard in Ellicott City or farther west toward Garrett County, we show up with the same aggressive preparation that built our firm from the start.
We Work in Every County Across Maryland
Maryland is a big state, and our attorneys do not stand still. Whether a case takes us west to Garrett County, east to Worcester County, or up the I-95 corridor to Cecil County, our defense team is already there. We actively appear in courtrooms across every county of the state to ensure our clients have relentlessly prepared representation.
We proudly serve:
- Northern Maryland
- Harford County
- Western Maryland
- Allegany County
- Garrett County
- Washington County
- Southern Maryland
- Calvert County
- Charles County
- St. Mary's County
- The Eastern Shore
- Caroline County
- Cecil County
- Dorchester County
- Kent County
- Queen Anne's County
- Somerset County
- Talbot County
- Wicomico County
- Worcester County
Our reach is never limited to a specific list of counties. Wherever a Maryland court has jurisdiction, and whenever a client needs a defense attorney who will show up relentlessly prepared, we will be there.
Get a Free Consultation, Available 24/7
If you or someone you care about is facing a criminal charge anywhere in Maryland, call us before you speak with investigators or enter any plea. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation, and we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will get a direct, honest assessment of your situation, not a sales pitch.
If you do not see your county listed here, reach out anyway. Our attorneys are ready to talk through your case regardless of where it is being heard. The sooner you call, the more we can do.
Call (410) 927-5137 today, or contact us online, and let us tell you honestly what you are up against.
See Why We're the Right Choice
Reasons to Choose Our Firm
-
We approach every case as a team.
-
Every initial consultation is free and no-obligation.
-
We are available for you 24/7.
-
We are a team of former prosecutors and know how the other side thinks.
-
We have in-house payment plan options on qualifying cases.
-
We are highly recommended and awarded by various associations.
A High-Quality Reputation
Read Reviews from Real People
-
"Mr. Lake's reputation for integrity, diligence and competence which he earned as a former Assistant States Attorney and while he has been in private practice aided him in achieving the result he did."I am a retired Attorney who recommended a personal friend to Justin Lake. I received his name by speaking with an old friend of mine who is still considered one of the top criminal lawyers in Maryland. My friend was clearly guilty of driving while impaired as was evidenced by a video taken at the scene by the investigating officer and the fact that he failed the breathalyzer test. A verdict of Probation Before Judgement or Guilty would have been life altering for him and his family in that it could have resulted in his deportation from this Country and the absolute prohibition of his being able to apply for admission of his family in to the United States. My friend had learned that he had been granted asylum three days before he was charged. Aside from that charge he had an impeccable record. He is employed by a continuing care community where his service is valued which is evidenced by the excellent job reviews he has consistently received. Mr. Lake was engaged to represent him and charged a fee customary for representing someone charged with such an infraction. I know from my experience that he expended far more time on the case than he was compensated for, but he did not ask for an increase in the fee. He spoke multiple times with an Assistant State's Attorney of the County as well as the States Attorney, removed the case to a higher Court and with the Assistant State's Attorney met with the Circuit Court Judge of the County. At that meeting Mr. Lake introduced a legal opinion prepared by my friend's immigration attorneys with whom he conferred which set forth the aforementioned consequences that would ensue were any judgment aside from a PBJ(C) entered. It is the only judgment that would not impact his and his family's immigration status. Such a judgment is extremely rare. I am of the opinion that Mr. Lake's reputation for integrity, diligence and competence which he earned as a former Assistant States Attorney and while he has been in private practice aided him in achieving the result he did.- Rosser
-
"Will Be In Good Hands"I never hesitate to refer any potential clients with criminal defense needs to Justin Lake or David Zwanetz- Joe M.
-
"Easy to work with"Prompt, professional, and easy to work with as a client.- Zach S.