Dundalk Criminal Defense Lawyer

Q: I was arrested for DUI in Dundalk. How quickly do I need to act?

Quickly. Alongside the criminal charge, an administrative case with the Motor Vehicle Administration runs on its own short clock, and the deadline to request a hearing is measured in days, not weeks. Those are two separate proceedings with two separate outcomes. Call before that window closes so both can be addressed together.

If you are facing criminal charges in Dundalk, your case will be handled in the Baltimore County court system, though not in Towson. Dundalk sits in the southeastern corner of the county, and District Court matters here are heard at the Essex District Court on Kelso Drive. Felony charges, and any case where a jury trial is elected, move to the Circuit Court in Towson. Walsh-Little Law represents clients charged with crimes in Dundalk and throughout Baltimore County.

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 appears in both the Essex and Towson courthouses and understands how a Dundalk case moves between them.

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

Dundalk: A Baltimore County Case Heard on the East Side

Dundalk is one of the largest communities in Baltimore County, sitting on the water southeast of Baltimore City between the Patapsco River and Back River. It grew up around the steel mills and the port, and that industrial character still shapes the community and the kinds of cases that come out of it.

For anyone charged here, the practical question is which courthouse. District Court matters arising in Dundalk are heard in Essex, at the Baltimore County District Court on Kelso Drive, which serves the eastern side of the county. Felony charges and cases where the defendant elects a jury trial are tried in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County in Towson. A single case can involve both buildings.

It is also worth knowing that Dundalk is in Baltimore County, not Baltimore City. They are entirely separate jurisdictions with different prosecutors, judges, and local practices, even though Dundalk sits directly against the city line.

Where a Dundalk Case Is Heard

Essex District Court

Misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings arising in Dundalk are handled at the Baltimore County District Court in Essex, located at 8914 Kelso Drive, Essex, MD 21221. This is the District Court location serving the eastern side of Baltimore County. Cases there are decided by a judge alone, with no jury.

Circuit Court for Baltimore County

Felony charges, appeals from the District Court, and any case in which the defendant elects a jury trial are heard in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County at 401 Bosley Avenue in Towson. For charges carrying a potential sentence of more than 90 days, a defendant may elect a jury trial, which moves the case from Essex to Towson. That election is a strategic decision worth discussing with an attorney before your first appearance.

If you were arrested for DUI or DWI in Dundalk, a separate administrative case with the Maryland MVA runs alongside the criminal charge. You have 10 days from the date of the stop to request that hearing, and missing the deadline results in an automatic license suspension. Contact Walsh-Little Law promptly so that deadline is preserved.

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 Dundalk

Walsh-Little Law handles the full range of criminal matters arising in Dundalk, including:

DUI and DWI Defense

Merritt Boulevard, North Point Boulevard, and Holabird Avenue are steady sources of impaired driving stops in Dundalk, along with the Interstate 695 approaches. David examines every DUI case for the legality of the stop, the administration and calibration of breath testing, field sobriety procedure, and MVA hearing strategy.

Charges That Threaten a Commercial License

Dundalk is a working port and industrial community, and many residents hold a commercial driver’s license or credentials tied to port access. A criminal charge, and a DUI in particular, can carry consequences for a CDL and for employment that are separate from anything the criminal court imposes. If your job depends on a license or a security credential, say so early, because it affects how a case should be approached.

Drug Charges Defense

Dundalk drug cases range from simple possession to possession with intent to distribute. Many begin with a traffic stop or a search of a vehicle or shared residence. David examines every drug case for Fourth Amendment search problems, questions of constructive possession where a space is shared, and eligibility for diversion or treatment alternatives.

Gun Crimes

Maryland’s firearms laws are strict and apply fully in Baltimore County. Traffic stops that lead to the discovery of a firearm are a recurring source of charges in the Dundalk area, and some of these cases carry potential federal exposure that is worth assessing early.

Violent Crimes and Assault

Assault charges in Dundalk often arise from disputes between neighbors, altercations at bars, or domestic allegations. Felony assault and robbery charges are tried in the Circuit Court in Towson.

Federal Charges

Some Baltimore County cases are prosecuted federally rather than in state court, particularly larger drug or firearms allegations, and matters connected to the port. Those cases move to the U.S. District Court in Baltimore. David spent more than four years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender and handles cases in both systems.

Areas We Serve in Baltimore County

Walsh-Little Law represents clients facing criminal charges throughout Baltimore County, including the communities surrounding Dundalk:

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

Charges from anywhere in the county can be heard in the Essex or Towson courts depending on the offense. For an overview of how criminal cases are handled county-wide, see our Baltimore County criminal defense page.

Why Choose Walsh-Little Law for Your Dundalk Defense

David Walsh-Little has spent his career defending people accused of crimes in Maryland’s state and federal courts. That background shapes how he approaches a Dundalk case:

Over a decade with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, including three years as Chief of the Felony Trial Division in the Baltimore City office
More than four years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the District of Maryland
Regular practice in the Baltimore County courts, in both the Essex District Court and the Circuit Court in Towson
Early training under civil rights attorney William M. Kunstler, which shaped a client-centered approach to defense
A direct attorney-client relationship: you work with David, not a paralegal or a junior associate

Every case is different, and the options available depend on the specific facts, the charge, and your record. Early action matters, because the sooner David can review the evidence, the more options may be available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions: Criminal Defense in Dundalk

Where will my Dundalk criminal case be heard?

It depends on the charge. District Court matters arising in Dundalk, including misdemeanors and traffic offenses, are heard at the Baltimore County District Court in Essex at 8914 Kelso Drive. Felony charges, and any case where you elect a jury trial, are heard in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County at 401 Bosley Avenue in Towson. A single case can involve both courthouses.

Is a Dundalk charge the same as a Baltimore City charge?

No. Dundalk sits directly on the Baltimore City line, and which side of that line the stop happened on changes everything. A charge in Dundalk is a Baltimore County case, prosecuted by the Baltimore County State’s Attorney in the county courts. Cross Holabird Avenue into the city and it becomes a Baltimore City case with different prosecutors, different judges and different local practice. Confirm which agency charged you before you assume anything about the process.

I hold a CDL and work at the port. How does a charge affect my license?

Dundalk is a working port community, and a lot of our neighbors drive for a living out of Dundalk Marine Terminal and Seagirt. Federal rules treat commercial drivers differently. A conviction can carry consequences for a CDL even when the vehicle you were stopped in was your own, and some offenses reach the license before the criminal case is finished. If you drive commercially, say so at the first meeting so your employment is part of the strategy from the start rather than an afterthought.

I was arrested for DUI in Dundalk. How quickly do I need to act?

Does Walsh-Little Law handle both state and federal charges?

Yes. David Walsh-Little practices in the Baltimore County courts that hear Dundalk cases and in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland in Baltimore. That matters here, because port and waterfront cases can draw federal attention that a purely state practice does not see often. If you are unsure which system your case is in, bring whatever paperwork you were given and we will tell you.

Contact a Dundalk 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

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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
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Sunday Closed

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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.