1. Silverman Thompson
Practice Focus: State and federal criminal defense, DUI/DWI defense, white collar crimes, serious felony matters, traffic offenses, appellate practice
Case Types Handled: Murder, felony assault, drug crimes, DUI/DWI, white collar offenses, sex crimes, domestic violence, theft crimes, federal crimes, conspiracy charges, public corruption cases
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, grand jury representation, pre-charge investigations, appellate advocacy, post-conviction relief, bail hearings, motion practice, sentencing hearings, probation violations
Background: Brian G. Thompson serves as Senior Partner and chairs the Criminal Defense Practice Group. He graduated from University of Baltimore School of Law in 1996 and Towson University in 1992. Former Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore County from 1994 to 1998. Over 30 years of criminal defense experience. Named Maryland Super Lawyer for over a decade. Named among Top 100 Lawyers in Maryland by Super Lawyers Magazine. Appointed by Governor O’Malley to Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for Baltimore County. United States Army veteran. Member of Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association. The firm has represented high-profile clients including a former Mayor of Baltimore and a former President of the United States.
Location: 201 North Charles Street, Suite 2600, Baltimore, MD 21201
Contact: (800) 385-2243 | (410) 659-9930 | [email protected] | https://www.silvermanthompson.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
2. The Herbst Firm
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI defense, juvenile defense, drug crimes, firearm offenses, federal criminal matters
Case Types Handled: DUI/DWI, drug possession and distribution, theft, robbery, murder, burglary, gun crimes, assault, probation violations, juvenile offenses, human trafficking, arson, federal drug trafficking, conspiracy, racketeering
Legal Services: Trial defense, jury trials, motion practice including motions to suppress evidence, appeals, warrant recalls, peace and protective order defense, pre-trial motions, probation violation hearings, juvenile court representation
Background: Benjamin Herbst is the founder and managing partner. He graduated from University of Miami School of Law in 2007 with a B.A. in Political Science from University of Michigan. Admitted to practice in Maryland and Florida. Admitted to United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Represented clients in over 60 jury trials with acquittals ranging from DUI to felony assault and firearm crimes punishable by life in prison. Selected as Rising Star by Super Lawyers from 2013 to 2017. Named Maryland Super Lawyer in 2025. Selected for National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Maryland from 2015 to 2025. Appeared as legal analyst on CBS Face the Nation and national Evening News. Former certified intern with Miami-Dade Public Defender.
Location: 400 E. Pratt Street, Floor 8, Baltimore, MD 21202
Contact: (410) 207-2598 | [email protected] | https://www.mdtriallawyer.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; flexible payment plans offered
3. Rice Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI defense, traffic violations, personal injury, civil litigation
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, assault, theft, firearm offenses, domestic violence, traffic violations, federal cases
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, jury trials, bench trials, MVA hearings, administrative law matters, expungements, warrant resolution
Background: Randolph Rice is the managing partner with over 18 years of legal experience. He earned his law degree from Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans with additional instruction at University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Former Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore County where he led the gang unit and tried thousands of cases. Named Rising Star in Maryland Criminal Defense/DUI/DWI by Super Lawyers from 2013 to 2018. Ranked by CitySpur as one of Baltimore’s Top Ten Lawyers. National TV legal analyst appearing on Court TV, Fox News, CNN, and NewsNation. Member of American Bar Association, Maryland Bar Association, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, and Baltimore County Bar Association. Practices in District and Circuit Courts as well as federal courts.
Location: 6914 Holabird Avenue A, Baltimore, MD 21222
Contact: (410) 694-7291 | https://ricelawmd.com
Consultation: Free consultation available; 24/7 availability
4. Saller, Ernstberger & McElroy
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, firearm defense, DUI/DWI defense, drug defense, Second Amendment rights advocacy
Case Types Handled: Drug possession and distribution, DUI/DWI, firearm offenses, assault, theft, white collar crimes, domestic violence, traffic violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, pre-trial investigation, firearms rights restoration, administrative hearings
Background: Andrew B. Saller is a firearms attorney serving Maryland citizens with Second Amendment matters. Executive member of Maryland Shall Issue. Co-host of the Urban Defense Podcast. Rated by Super Lawyers. The firm serves Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County, Howard County, Harford County, and Prince George’s County.
Location: Baltimore, Maryland (Baltimore County)
Contact: https://www.sallerlaw.com
Consultation: Free first-time consultation available
5. T. Wray McCurdy, P.A.
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI defense, drug defense, traffic violations, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Drunk driving (DUI/DWI), drug possession, drug distribution, felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, suspended license charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, MVA hearings, license defense, general civil litigation, small business legal matters
Background: T. Wray McCurdy is a former Assistant State Attorney for Baltimore County who has represented more than 22,000 individuals since opening in 1986. AV Preeminent-rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Licensed to practice in both Maryland and Florida. Handled the first federal sentencing guidelines case in the District of Maryland. Defended US Coast Guardsmen and women charged with conspiracy. Many clients are referrals from current and previous clients. The firm is an innovative and pioneering practice focused on helping good people make the best of bad situations.
Location: Baltimore County, Maryland
Contact: https://www.twraymccurdy.com
Consultation: Consultation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Maryland
Maryland does not use a letter or number classification system for felonies. Instead, each individual felony statute specifies its own maximum penalty. Felonies in Maryland are defined as offenses punishable by one year or more in prison. Misdemeanors can carry sentences up to 10 or 20 years in some cases, meaning the felony/misdemeanor distinction does not always indicate severity.
Maryland attorneys must be admitted to the Maryland State Bar and maintain active licensure. The Maryland State Bar Association offers a Criminal Law and Practice Section that provides continuing legal education and policy perspectives to the General Assembly. Maryland requires attorneys to complete continuing legal education hours, including ethics requirements.
The Office of the Public Defender provides representation to indigent defendants in Maryland. Eligibility for a public defender is determined based on financial guidelines and the nature of the charges.
Maryland does not offer board certification specifically for criminal defense practice, though attorneys may highlight experience and peer recognition through organizations like Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell ratings, and the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.
Maryland’s bail reform has evolved, with courts considering factors including danger to the community and flight risk when setting bail. Defendants may be released on personal recognizance, unsecured bond, or secured bond depending on the circumstances.
The Maryland Expungement Reform Act of 2025 expanded expungement eligibility. Over 100 enumerated misdemeanors are eligible for expungement, including second degree assault, drug possession, prostitution, theft, disorderly conduct, and various fraud offenses. Waiting periods vary: three years for probation before judgment cases (excluding DUI/DWI which requires 15 years), and five years for certain convictions. Automatic expungement applies to dispositions after October 1, 2021 for acquittals, dismissals, and nolle prosequi. Probation before judgment for DUI or DWI cannot be expunged.
Maryland abolished the death penalty in 2013. The state follows sentencing guidelines, though judges are not legally required to follow them. Sentences of 12 months or less are typically served in local jail, while longer sentences are served in state prison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after an arrest in Baltimore City?
After an arrest in Baltimore City, defendants are typically taken to the Baltimore City Central Booking and Intake Center. A bail review hearing is held within 24 hours before a District Court Commissioner. The Commissioner will determine whether to release the defendant on personal recognizance, set bail, or hold without bail. Arraignment in District Court generally occurs within 30 days for misdemeanors. For felonies, a preliminary hearing may be held within 30 days, followed by grand jury proceedings.
How does probation before judgment work in Maryland courts?
Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) allows a defendant to plead guilty or nolo contendere, but the court withholds entering a judgment of conviction. If the defendant completes the probationary conditions successfully, no conviction appears on their record. PBJ is available for most offenses but cannot be expunged for DUI or DWI charges. After three years from discharge of probation (15 years for DUI/DWI), the record may be eligible for expungement through petition to the court.
What are the penalties for drug possession in Maryland?
Maryland decriminalized possession of personal use amounts of cannabis in 2023 for adults 21 and over. For other controlled dangerous substances, simple possession is typically a misdemeanor with penalties up to 4 years in prison and/or $25,000 fine for a first offense. Possession with intent to distribute is a felony with penalties up to 20 years depending on the substance. Drug treatment courts and diversion programs are available in Baltimore City and Baltimore County as alternatives to incarceration for qualifying defendants.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in Baltimore?
Expungement eligibility depends on the disposition of your case. Acquittals, dismissals, and nolle prosequi cases are generally eligible immediately or within 3 years. Probation before judgment (except DUI/DWI) becomes eligible 3 years after discharge. Certain nonviolent misdemeanor convictions may be eligible after waiting periods ranging from 3 to 10 years. Cannabis possession convictions are now eligible for expungement. You must file a petition with the court where the case was heard, and the State’s Attorney may object to the petition.
What diversion programs are available in Baltimore for first-time offenders?
Baltimore offers several diversion programs including Drug Treatment Court for substance abuse related offenses, Veterans Treatment Court for eligible veterans, and Mental Health Court for defendants with qualifying mental health conditions. The State’s Attorney’s Office may offer diversion agreements for certain first-time offenders that can result in dismissal upon completion of program requirements. Community service, substance abuse treatment, and educational programs may be conditions of diversion. Successful completion typically results in dismissal of charges and potential expungement eligibility.