Legal Question in Criminal Law in Maryland

I received a criminal citation today for possession of drug paraphernalia. This is my first offense. Should I take the public defender or hire a lawyer? Also what is the worst case scenario and the best case scenario? Also I tore my meniscus last january and also suffer from chronic back pain; could I possibly use that as a form of defense in the state of maryland?


Asked on 9/07/10, 6:45 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Jason Cleckner Law Office of Jason Cleckner, LLC

Well, that all depends on the facts of your case. What was the paraphernalia, where did they find it, why did they search?, etc.

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Answered on 9/12/10, 6:56 pm
William Welch William L. Welch, III Attorney

The maximum penalty for a first offense is $500. The public defender only represents people who are subject to jail. Your injury is probably not a defense, unless your doctor were to indicate that for instance marijuana is for chronic pain.

Whether to hire a lawyer is your decision. A lawyer can assist you in evaluating the evidence, preparing to defend the case, and at sentencing. Having a criminal record can have consequences beyond whether the offense is jailable, such as whether employers, lenders, and landlords will do business with you. Ultimately, a lawyer will probably cost more than the maximum penalty in this case. You would have to decide whether retaining a lawyer is worth the cost for other reasons.

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Answered on 9/12/10, 7:01 pm


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