Baltimore County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Q: Where are criminal cases heard in Baltimore County?

Misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings are held in one of Baltimore County's three District Court locations: Towson, Essex, or Catonsville. Felony cases are tried in the Baltimore County Circuit Court at 401 Bosley Ave in Towson. Defendants charged with misdemeanors in District Court have the right to elect a jury trial, which moves the case to Circuit Court.

If you are facing criminal charges in Baltimore County, the courts where your case will be heard, the prosecutors handling your case, and the local legal landscape are distinct from Baltimore City. Understanding those differences matters when choosing a defense attorney. Walsh-Little Law represents clients facing criminal charges throughout Baltimore County, from the Circuit Court in Towson to each of the county's District Courts.

David Walsh-Little has spent his career in Maryland's courts, including over a decade with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender and more than four years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender. He practices regularly in Baltimore County courts and brings that direct familiarity to every case he handles in the county.

If you are facing charges anywhere in Baltimore County, contact Walsh-Little Law at 410-205-9337 for a free, confidential consultation.

Baltimore County: A Distinct Jurisdiction from Baltimore City

Many people are surprised to learn that Baltimore City and Baltimore County are entirely separate jurisdictions in Maryland. Baltimore City is an independent city with its own government, police department, courts, and State's Attorney. Baltimore County surrounds the city but has no jurisdictional connection to it.

This matters practically. If you were arrested by Baltimore County Police in Towson, Catonsville, Dundalk, or any other part of the county, your case is handled by the Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office and heard in Baltimore County courts, not in Baltimore City. The prosecutors, judges, and court procedures are separate and distinct.

An attorney who knows the Baltimore County courts, the tendencies of the local State's Attorney's Office, and the specific procedures of the Towson Circuit Court and the county's District Courts brings a practical advantage to your defense.

Baltimore County Courts: Where Your Case Will Be Heard

Baltimore County Circuit Court

Felony charges and serious misdemeanors in Baltimore County are tried in the Baltimore County Circuit Court, located at 401 Bosley Ave, Towson, MD 21204. This is the county's trial court of general jurisdiction. It handles all felony cases, cases appealed from the District Court, and cases in which a defendant has elected a jury trial. Circuit Court proceedings involve grand jury indictments, formal discovery, pre-trial motions, and jury or bench trials.

Baltimore County District Courts

Baltimore County has three District Court locations handling misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings in felony cases:

Towson District Court: Located within the county courts complex in Towson
Essex District Court: 8914 Kelso Drive, Essex, MD 21221, serving Eastern Baltimore County
Catonsville District Court: 1 Rolling Crossroads, Catonsville, MD 21228, serving Western Baltimore County

District Court cases are heard by a judge alone with no jury. Defendants have the right to elect a jury trial in Circuit Court for cases where the potential sentence exceeds 90 days. This election decision is strategic and worth discussing with your attorney before your first District Court appearance.

If you are charged with a DUI or DWI in Baltimore County, an administrative license hearing with the Maryland MVA runs simultaneously with your criminal case. You have 10 days from the date of the traffic stop to request that hearing. Missing the deadline results in automatic license suspension. Contact Walsh-Little Law at 410-205-9337 immediately after a DUI arrest.

Reviews

David is a great lawyer to work with. He's very attentive and on top of things. He cares about his clients and is very knowledgeable. Thank you, David

I recommend David's criminal defense and DWI defense services.

Baltimore criminal defense lawyer David Walsh-Little first came to my attention over 25 years ago, when I learned about his legal assistance to Plowshares activists. Since that time, I have occasionally communicated with him and then talked with David in depth on my podcast.

I can confidently recommend criminal defendants to David for Maryland matters for which I do not offer assistance.

Criminal Defense Practice Areas in Baltimore County

Walsh-Little Law handles the full range of criminal defense matters in Baltimore County courts, including:

DUI and DWI Defense

Baltimore County law enforcement actively enforces DUI and DWI laws, and the county courts handle a significant volume of these cases. David examines every DUI case for defects in the traffic stop, challenges to breathalyzer calibration and testing procedures, and MVA hearing strategy. See the DUI/DWI page for full details.

Drug Charges Defense

Baltimore County drug cases range from simple possession to felony possession with intent to distribute. The distinction between those charges often turns on the circumstances of the search and arrest. David examines every drug case for Fourth Amendment issues, chain of custody problems, and challenges to the prosecution's intent evidence. See the Drug Defense page for more.

Gun Crimes

Maryland's strict firearms laws apply throughout Baltimore County. Illegal carry, transport, and use charges are prosecuted aggressively, and many gun cases involve federal as well as state exposure. See the Gun Crimes page for details.

Violent Crimes and Assault

First and second-degree assault, robbery, and related violent crime charges in Baltimore County are tried in the Circuit Court in Towson. These cases often involve disputed eyewitness identification, self-defense claims, and complex evidentiary issues.

Homicide

Homicide charges in Baltimore County are among the most serious matters handled by the Circuit Court in Towson. Immediate legal representation is critical. See the Homicide page for a full explanation of Maryland's homicide law.

Federal Charges

Federal criminal cases arising from conduct in Baltimore County are handled in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Baltimore. David's experience as a former Assistant Federal Public Defender makes Walsh-Little Law well-placed to handle charges at both the state and federal level.

Areas Served in Baltimore County

Walsh-Little Law represents clients charged with criminal offenses throughout Baltimore County, including:

Arbutus
Catonsville
Dundalk
Essex
Lansdowne
Lutherville-Timonium
Middle River
Overlea
Parkville
Perry Hall
Pikesville
Randallstown
Rosedale
Towson (county seat)
White Marsh

Why Choose Walsh-Little Law for Your Baltimore County Defense

David Walsh-Little brings a combination of state and federal public defense experience to every criminal case he handles in Baltimore County:

Over a decade with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, including as Chief of the Felony Trial Division in Baltimore City, handling serious felony cases across the Baltimore metropolitan area
More than four years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in Maryland, representing clients in Baltimore's federal courthouse
Regular practice in the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson and all three Baltimore County District Courts
Direct attorney representation throughout: you work with David personally, not a paralegal or junior associate
Free initial consultation to review your charges, explain your options, and outline a defense strategy

Frequently Asked Questions: Criminal Defense in Baltimore County

Is Baltimore County the same as Baltimore City for criminal cases?

No. Baltimore City and Baltimore County are completely separate jurisdictions in Maryland. Baltimore City is an independent city with its own courts, State's Attorney's Office, and police department. If you were charged in Baltimore County, your case is handled by the Baltimore County State's Attorney and heard in Baltimore County courts, either at the Circuit Court in Towson or one of the three District Court locations.

Where are criminal cases heard in Baltimore County?

Does Walsh-Little Law handle DUI cases in Baltimore County?

Yes. David Walsh-Little represents clients charged with DUI and DWI throughout Baltimore County. If you were arrested for DUI in Baltimore County, two proceedings run simultaneously: the criminal case in court and an administrative license suspension proceeding through the Maryland MVA. You have 10 days from the date of your arrest to request an MVA hearing. Contact Walsh-Little Law at 410-205-9337 immediately to preserve that deadline.

What is the difference between the Baltimore County Circuit Court and District Court?

The Circuit Court in Towson handles felonies, jury trials, and cases appealed from the District Court. The three District Courts handle misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings. District Court cases are decided by a judge alone, with no jury. If you are charged in District Court and want a jury trial, you can elect removal to Circuit Court for cases where the potential sentence exceeds 90 days. Whether to make that election is a strategic decision your attorney should help you evaluate.

Walsh-Little Law handle both state and federal charges in Baltimore County?

Yes. David handles cases in Baltimore County's state courts and, where federal charges arise, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Baltimore. His background as a former Assistant Federal Public Defender gives him direct experience with federal court procedures, federal sentencing guidelines, and the U.S. Attorney's Office that prosecutes federal cases in Maryland.

Contact a Baltimore County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you are facing criminal charges in Baltimore County, the right defense starts with understanding the specific courts and prosecutors involved in your case. Walsh-Little Law represents clients throughout Baltimore County in both state and federal court.

Call Walsh-Little Law at 410-205-9337 for a free, confidential consultation. David will review your charges, explain what to expect in Baltimore County courts, and help you understand your defense options.

☎ (410) 205-9337

Monday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Email Us

We look forward to receiving your questions and comments and will reply to your email promptly.
* Required Field

"*" indicates required fields

Disclaimer: The Law Office of David Walsh-Little is a Maryland Limited Liability Company established for the practice of law. The information on this website is for general information only. The content on this site is not legal advice and should not be construed as such. Visitors to this site should not rely on its content when making legal decisions. Access to the information on this website is not intended to, and does not create, an attorney-client relationship between the Law Office of David Walsh-Little, LLC and any other person or entity.