Felony Criminal Defense Attorney in Howard County

Facing a felony charge in Howard County can turn your life upside down overnight. You may be worried about going to jail, losing your job, or carrying a permanent record that follows you for years. In this moment, you need clear information and a felony criminal defense attorney in Howard County who can step in quickly and guide you.

At Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake, we defend people accused of serious crimes here in the county and across Maryland. Our firm has been based in Howard County since 2005, and our attorneys bring more than 50 years of collective legal skill to each case. We work to provide steady guidance, careful preparation, and direct communication from the first call through the final outcome.

We are a boutique criminal defense firm that takes on a limited number of clients at a time. That choice allows us to offer the kind of focused attention and team support that felony cases demand. 

If you or someone you care about has been arrested or is under investigation, contact a felony attorney in Howard County at Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake by calling (410) 927-5137 or reaching out online for your free and no-obligation initial consultation.

Understanding Felony Laws in Maryland

Maryland’s legal system is unique in that it does not use a standardized letter-grade classification (like Class A or Class B) for its felonies. Instead, each felony is defined by its own specific statute, which outlines the unique penalties and elements the state must prove. 

This lack of a general classification system means that a Howard County felony defense lawyer must have a deep, nuanced understanding of the Maryland Code to effectively challenge the prosecution.

The firm handles a wide spectrum of felony matters throughout North Texas and Maryland, including:

• Violent Felonies: These include first-degree assault, which carries a potential sentence of up to 25 years, as well as robbery and carjacking. These offenses are viewed with extreme severity by Howard County judges.
• Felony Theft and Burglary: Under Md. Code, Crim. Law § 7-104, theft becomes a felony if the value of the property exceeds $1,500. Burglary in the first, second, or third degree also carries significant felony penalties depending on the intent behind the entry.
• Felony Drug Crimes: While Maryland has moved toward decriminalization for small amounts of certain substances, the distribution or manufacturing of controlled substances remains a serious felony under Title 5 of the Criminal Law Article.
• White Collar Felonies: Including large-scale embezzlement, identity theft, and sophisticated fraud schemes that often involve multi-agency investigations.

Our firm is particularly adept at distinguishing between "lesser included" offenses. For example, we meticulously analyze the evidence to determine if a charge of first-degree assault can be successfully challenged or reduced to a misdemeanor, as the difference in potential prison time is staggering.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Felony Convictions in Maryland

The impact of a felony conviction in Maryland extends far beyond the walls of a prison cell. Our firm fights to protect you from both the direct and indirect fallout of a guilty verdict.

Direct Sentencing Penalties

• Incarceration: Maryland felonies carry maximum sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment. Sentences longer than 18 months are typically served in the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (state prison) rather than local Howard County detention centers.
• Mandatory Minimums: Certain repeat offenses or crimes involving firearms carry mandatory minimum sentences that a judge cannot reduce, regardless of mitigating circumstances.
• Heavy Fines: Financial penalties for felonies can reach tens of thousands of dollars, often accompanied by orders for restitution to alleged victims.

Collateral Consequences

The "invisible" penalties of a felony record can be just as devastating:

• Loss of Civil Rights: A felony conviction results in the immediate loss of your right to possess or carry a firearm and can impact your eligibility to serve on a jury or hold public office.
• Employment and Professional Licensing: Maryland has over 1,000 legal restrictions that can prevent returning citizens from obtaining professional licenses in fields like healthcare, real estate, and law.
• Housing and Education: Many landlords and educational institutions in the Columbia and Ellicott City areas perform background checks that can lead to automatic disqualification for felony offenders.
• Immigration Status: For non-citizens, a felony conviction often constitutes an "aggravated felony" under federal law, leading to mandatory deportation.

What To Expect In A Howard County Felony Case

Facing a felony charge can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process can ease some of the uncertainty. While every case is unique, most felony matters in Howard County follow a similar procedural path. 

Cases often begin with an arrest and an initial appearance in the District Court of Maryland for Howard County, where bail, release conditions, and the basic allegations are addressed. More serious charges typically proceed to the Circuit Court for Howard County, which handles jury trials and complex legal motions.

A typical Maryland felony case may include:

• Arrest and Initial Appearance – Bail determinations, release conditions, and notice of formal charges.
• Transfer to Circuit Court (if applicable) – For more serious felonies involving jury trials and substantive motions.
• Preliminary Hearings – Addressing probable cause and procedural issues.
• Discovery Phase – Reviewing the evidence the prosecution intends to use.
• Pretrial Motions – Challenging the admissibility of evidence or raising constitutional issues.
• Plea Negotiations – Exploring potential resolutions before trial.
• Trial Settings – Preparing for and, if necessary, proceeding to trial.
• Prosecutorial Review – Interaction with the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office and consideration of how local practices may affect strategy.

Timelines vary depending on court schedules and the complexity of the case, but we work to keep you informed at every stage so you know what to expect and how to prepare.

Why Howard County Clients Choose Our Felony Defense Team

Every case we accept benefits from a team-led approach. Our felony attorney in Howard County work together on strategy, evidence review, and hearing preparation. Each lawyer brings specific strengths and perspectives, and we combine those strengths when we analyze charges, police reports, and witness statements.

Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake is recognized as a Tier 1-rated Baltimore DUI and DWI defense firm by U.S. News & World Report, and our lawyers hold Superb Avvo Ratings. These honors come from years of work in criminal courts and reflect how our peers and clients view our practice. These recognitions support what many people want to know, whether they are working with a respected criminal defense team.

We also take pride in being accessible and straightforward. Our goal is to return calls promptly, explain options in everyday language, and keep you informed about developments. Felony charges often create late-night or weekend emergencies, and our team is available around the clock for urgent concerns.

Talk With Our Howard County Felony Lawyer About Your Case

If you or a loved one is facing felony charges, you do not have to navigate the Howard County courts alone. Speaking with our Howard County team can give you a clearer picture of the road ahead and practical steps you can take right now. We are here to listen, answer questions, and help you make informed choices.

When you contact Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake, you reach a boutique firm that keeps its caseload limited, approaches cases as a coordinated team, and is committed to transparent communication. Your first consultation is free, and there is no pressure to decide on the spot. We encourage you to ask questions about our approach so you can decide whether we are the right fit.

Call (410) 927-5137 or reach out online to schedule your free felony case consultation today.