In Montgomery County, Maryland, criminal charges carry serious penalties — second-degree assault carries up to 10 years under Md. Code, Criminal Law Article. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 total documented case results across all practice areas. Our team includes former prosecutors who understand Montgomery County courts.
Statutory Definition of Criminal Offenses in Montgomery County
Last verified: April 2026 | District Court of MD for Montgomery County | Maryland General Assembly
Maryland criminal law is codified in the Criminal Law Article (CR) of the Maryland Code. Offenses range from misdemeanors to felonies, with penalties varying by classification. The Maryland Code, Criminal Law Article § 4-101 defines assault classifications. The District Court of MD for Montgomery County handles initial appearances and misdemeanor trials. Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to each case.
External Citation Links
For the official Maryland criminal statutes, visit the Maryland General Assembly website. For court rules and procedures, see the Maryland Judiciary website.
Insider Procedural Edge for Montgomery County Criminal Cases
Montgomery County District Court handles all misdemeanor trials and initial appearances for felonies. Montgomery County Circuit Court handles felony jury trials. The State’s Attorney for Montgomery County prosecutes all criminal cases.
Maryland’s Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) is a critical disposition — it avoids a formal conviction on the defendant’s record and is available for many offenses.
- Arrest and initial appearance before a District Court commissioner who sets bail.
- Bail review hearing within 24 hours if detained.
- Arraignment where charges are formally read.
- Pre-trial motions and discovery exchange.
- Trial or plea negotiation — misdemeanors in District Court, felonies in Circuit Court.
- Sentencing or disposition (PBJ, Nolle Prosequi, Stet, or conviction).
Penalty Table for Criminal Offenses in Montgomery County
In Montgomery County, criminal offenses carry penalties ranging from civil citations to 25 years in prison depending on the charge classification.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second-degree assault | Misdemeanor | Up to 10 years | Up to $2,500 | None | Protective order possible |
| Theft under $100 | Misdemeanor | Up to 90 days | Up to $500 | None | Restitution required |
| Theft $100-$1,500 | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months | Up to $1,000 | None | Restitution required |
| Theft $1,500-$25,000 | Felony | Up to 5 years | Up to $10,000 | None | Restitution required |
| First-degree assault | Felony | Up to 25 years | Up to $5,000 | None | Protective order possible |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
E-E-A-T Authority Block
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Our tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Our team includes Kristen Fisher, a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney who prosecuted cases in both District and Circuit Courts. Her firsthand prosecutorial experience provides significant insight into case construction, trial strategies, and courtroom dynamics.
Case Results
In Montgomery County, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 total documented case results across all practice areas with a 95% favorable outcome rate.
Firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC: 4,739+ total case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Local Pack Trigger Block
Our Rockville/MD location serves clients at Montgomery County courts, accessible via I-270, I-495, Route 355 (Rockville Pike), Route 29, and Route 97 (Georgia Ave).
Looking for a criminal defense lawyer near Montgomery County? We serve Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Wheaton, Kensington, Potomac, Olney, Damascus, Clarksburg, Takoma Park, and Chevy Chase.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Maryland
199 E Montgomery Ave Suite 100 Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (888)-437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in Montgomery County
What is Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Yes. PBJ is a Maryland disposition where the judge places you on probation instead of entering a guilty verdict. PBJ avoids a formal conviction on your record and is available for most misdemeanors and many felonies at District Court of MD for Montgomery County. After probation, PBJ cases can be expunged after a 3-year waiting period.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Yes. Maryland allows expungement for acquittals, dismissals, Nolle Prosequi, Stet, PBJ (after 3 years), and many non-violent convictions under the Justice Reinvestment Act. Cases in Montgomery County are expunged through the court where the case was heard.
What happens after a criminal arrest in Montgomery County, Maryland?
After arrest in Montgomery County: initial appearance before a District Court commissioner who sets bail, bail review hearing within 24 hours if detained, arraignment, then trial. Misdemeanors are tried at District Court of MD for Montgomery County. Felonies go to Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Yes. Many Maryland misdemeanors carry significant penalties — second-degree assault carries up to 10 years; theft $100-$1,500 carries up to 6 months. An attorney at District Court of MD for Montgomery County can negotiate PBJ (no conviction on record) or dismissal.
How long does a criminal case take in Montgomery County?
It depends. District Court misdemeanor cases typically take 30-90 days from arraignment to trial. Circuit Court felony cases take 3-12 months. The Hicks date (180-day speedy trial rule from first appearance) applies to felony jury trials.
Internal Links
Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer — Our state-level hub for criminal defense.
Prince George’s County Criminal Defense Lawyer — Serving neighboring jurisdictions.
Howard County Criminal Defense Lawyer — Serving neighboring jurisdictions.
Montgomery County DUI Lawyer — Related practice area in the same locality.
Montgomery County Family Law Lawyer — Related practice area in the same locality.
Kristen Fisher Attorney Profile — Learn more about our primary attorney.
Our Maryland Office — Visit our Rockville location by appointment.
Freshness & Verification
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.