Baltimore County Criminal Defense Attorneys
When the state brings criminal charges against you, it can feel like your entire world has been thrown into chaos. In an instant, your career, your personal relationships, and your fundamental freedom are placed in jeopardy. The anxiety of facing a prosecutor determined to secure a conviction is a heavy burden to bear alone.
At Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake, we believe you shouldn’t have to carry it by yourself. We do things differently here. We discard the detached, clinical approach of a traditional law office to serve as your "Friends That Defend." Our attorney brings over two decades of experience and a background as a former prosecutor to every case we handle. That combination gives our clients a distinct advantage: we know how criminal cases are built, and we know exactly where to look for the weaknesses in them.
Contact Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake today at (410) 927-5137 to speak with a Baltimore County criminal defense attorney about your case. We offer free consultations.
Communities We Serve in Baltimore County
Baltimore County is a large and geographically diverse jurisdiction, and Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake represents clients throughout it. Whether you are located close to the city line or in one of the county's more outlying communities, our attorneys are ready to defend you in the courts that serve your area.
We serve:
- Catonsville – A vibrant community just west of Baltimore City with its own distinct character and a steady volume of criminal cases through the Catonsville District Court.
- Towson – The county seat of Baltimore County and home to the Circuit Court. Towson is where the county's most serious criminal matters are tried and decided.
- Owings Mills – A growing community in the northwest corridor of the county. We represent clients from Owings Mills facing charges at all levels of the Baltimore County court system.
In addition to these communities, we serve clients from Pikesville, Cockeysville, Lutherville-Timonium, Dundalk, Essex, Reisterstown, and throughout the wider county. Wherever in Baltimore County you are facing charges, Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake is ready to represent you.
The Baltimore County Court System
Baltimore County criminal cases move through two courts, and knowing how each one operates is critical to your defense strategy. Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake practices regularly before both.
The Circuit Court for Baltimore County is located in Towson, the county seat, at 401 Bosley Avenue. This court handles felony charges, jury trials, and appeals from the District Court. It is here that Baltimore County's most serious criminal matters, including violent crimes, drug trafficking, and sex offenses, are tried. The Circuit Court bench in Baltimore County is experienced and demanding, and the prosecutors who practice there are equally prepared. Showing up without an experienced defense attorney at this level is a serious mistake.
The District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County operates from multiple locations across the county, including courthouses in Towson, Catonsville, and Dundalk. The District Court handles misdemeanors, DUI and DWI cases, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings for felony matters. A judge, not a jury, decides cases here. An attorney who regularly practices before Baltimore County's District Court judges understands what matters most in each courtroom and how to position your defense accordingly.
Time matters in a criminal case. The sooner you have an attorney, the more options you have. Call Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake at (410) 927-5137 to schedule your consultation today.
Baltimore County vs. Howard County
Many clients served by Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake have had experience with the criminal justice system in neighboring Howard County, or are facing charges that cross county lines. While both jurisdictions operate under Maryland state law, there are meaningful differences in how criminal cases are handled in Baltimore County that every defendant should understand.
These differences include:
- Scale and case volume – Baltimore County has over 850,000 residents and one of the highest-volume criminal court systems in Maryland. More cases mean more prosecutors and a State's Attorney's Office with dedicated units focused on specific charge categories, including violent crimes, domestic violence, and drug offenses. These are not generalist prosecutors. They handle the same types of cases repeatedly and know them well.
- Prosecution structure – Howard County operates a smaller office where prosecutors tend to handle a broader range of charges. Baltimore County's specialized units mean the attorney across the table from you has deep, focused experience in exactly the type of charge you are facing.
- Multiple court locations – Baltimore County has several District Court locations, and where your alleged offense occurred determines where your case is heard. The judge, the courtroom dynamics, and the local customs can vary significantly depending on which part of the county you are in. Knowing those distinctions matters.
- Circuit Court in Towson – Baltimore County's Circuit Court, located in the county seat of Towson, handles the full range of serious felony matters and is a high-volume, demanding environment. Experience before that bench is not something you want your attorney to be acquiring on your case.
These distinctions matter when building a defense. At Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake, our experience across both jurisdictions means we are never walking into unfamiliar territory, regardless of where your case is being heard.
See Why We're the Right Choice
Reasons to Choose Our Firm
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We approach every case as a team.
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Every initial consultation is free and no-obligation.
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We are available for you 24/7.
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We are a team of former prosecutors and know how the other side thinks.
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We have in-house payment plan options on qualifying cases.
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We are highly recommended and awarded by various associations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers From Our Attorneys
What should I do if I have been arrested in Baltimore County?
Exercise your right to remain silent. Do not answer questions from law enforcement without an attorney present, regardless of how straightforward the situation seems. Contact Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake as soon as possible. Early intervention by a defense attorney, including at the bail review stage, can meaningfully affect the outcome of your case from the very beginning.
How soon will I get a court date after my arrest?
Typically, a criminal court date is assigned within 4 to 8 weeks from the date of the offense, while a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) hearing for a DUI can take 6 to 10 weeks to be scheduled. Because this window moves quickly, it is vital to retain counsel immediately so we can preserve evidence and request extensions on your behalf.
How does having a former prosecutor on my side help my defense?
A former prosecutor understands firsthand how criminal cases are investigated, how charging decisions are made, and where the state's evidence is most likely to be weakest. At Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake, that prosecutorial background is not just a credential on a wall. It directly informs how we analyze your case, negotiate with the State's Attorney's Office, and prepare for trial when that is what it takes to protect your future.
At Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake (SZL) we believe in thinking differently from most lawyers and law firms. We help our clients understand and accept their legal situation; we work with them to confront and improve that situation, while seeking the best outcome available at law. We recognize that each client is a unique individual, each deserving of the highest client/customer service; and we just happen to get our clients excellent results while we deliver that exceptional service.
A High-Quality Reputation
Read Reviews from Real People
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"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
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"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.
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"Easy to work with"Prompt, professional, and easy to work with as a client.- Zach S.