Harford County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Harford County stretches from the Baltimore County line northeast to the Pennsylvania border, covering communities from Edgewood and Aberdeen in the south to Bel Air, Havre de Grace, and Forest Hill in the north. The county has its own distinct courts, prosecutors, and legal environment. It is also home to Aberdeen Proving Ground, a major federal military installation that creates a federal jurisdiction dimension not present in most other Maryland counties. Walsh-Little Law represents clients facing criminal charges throughout Harford County in both state and federal court.
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 in Harford County courts and handles cases in both the Bel Air Circuit Court and District Court.
If you are facing charges anywhere in Harford County, contact Walsh-Little Law at 410-205-9337 for a free, confidential consultation.
Harford County Courts: Where Your Case Will Be Heard
Harford County Circuit Court
Felony charges and cases where a jury trial has been elected are heard in the Harford County Circuit Court, located at 20 West Courtland Street, Bel Air, MD 21014. The Circuit Court handles all felony matters, cases appealed from District Court, and jury trials. Bel Air is the county seat.
Harford County District Court
Misdemeanor charges, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings are handled by the Harford County District Court, located at 2 South Bond Street, Bel Air, MD 21014. Harford County has a single District Court location in Bel Air serving the entire county. All District Court matters in Harford County are heard there.
District Court cases are decided by a judge alone with no jury. Defendants have the right to elect a jury trial in Circuit Court for cases in which the potential sentence exceeds 90 days, thereby moving the case to the Courtland Street courthouse.
Aberdeen Proving Ground: The Federal Jurisdiction Dimension
Harford County is home to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), a major U.S. Army installation covering a significant portion of the southern part of the county. Aberdeen Proving Ground is federal property, and criminal offenses that occur on the installation are subject to federal, not state, jurisdiction.
This means that incidents on APG involving military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, or visitors can result in federal charges under the Assimilative Crimes Act or the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), depending on the circumstances. Federal drug charges, assault charges, DUI on federal property, and related offenses are handled in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland rather than Harford County state courts.
David's experience as a former Assistant Federal Public Defender means he is familiar with how federal charges arising from military installations and federal property work, and how those cases are prosecuted in Baltimore's federal courthouse.
Criminal Defense Practice Areas in Harford County
Walsh-Little Law handles criminal defense matters throughout Harford County, including:
DUI and DWI
I-95 through the Edgewood and Aberdeen corridor, Route 40, and Route 22 are active DUI enforcement areas in Harford County. David examines every DUI case for the legality of the traffic stop, breathalyzer, and testing procedure challenges, and MVA hearing strategy.
Drug Charges
Harford County drug cases range from simple possession to felony distribution allegations. The southern part of the county near I-95 sees active drug enforcement. David examines every drug case for Fourth Amendment search issues, chain of custody problems, and intent-to-distribute evidence challenges.
Gun Crimes
Maryland's strict firearms laws apply throughout Harford County. Many gun charges in the county arise from traffic stops or searches where a firearm is discovered alongside other alleged offenses. Where a firearm is found on or near Aberdeen Proving Ground, federal firearms charges are also possible.
Violent Crimes and Assault
Assault, robbery, and related violent crime charges in Harford County are tried in the Circuit Court in Bel Air. These cases often turn on disputed accounts of events, self-defense claims, and the reliability of witness identification.
Federal Charges
Federal criminal cases arising from conduct in Harford County, including on or near Aberdeen Proving Ground, are handled in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Baltimore. David's four-plus years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender make Walsh-Little Law well-placed to handle federal charges that arise in the county.
Reviews
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.
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
Why Choose Walsh-Little Law for Your Harford County Defense
David Walsh-Little brings a combination of state and federal public defense experience to every criminal case he handles in Harford County, including cases with both state and federal dimensions:
- Over a decade with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, including as Chief of the Felony Trial Division in Baltimore City
- More than four years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the District of Maryland
- Regular practice in Maryland's Circuit Courts and District Courts across the Baltimore metropolitan area
- Direct attorney representation throughout: you work with David personally, not a paralegal or junior associate
- Free initial consultation to review your charges and explain your options
Areas Served in Harford County
Walsh-Little Law represents clients charged with criminal offenses throughout Harford County, including:
- Bel Air (county seat)
- Aberdeen
- Havre de Grace
- Edgewood
- Abingdon
- Joppa
- Fallston
- Forest Hill
- Jarrettsville
- Churchville
- Street
Frequently Asked Questions: Criminal Defense in Harford County
Where are criminal cases heard in Harford County?
Harford County has a single court location in Bel Air. The Circuit Court at 20 West Courtland Street handles felonies, jury trials, and appeals from District Court. The District Court at 2 South Bond Street handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings. Both state courts are in Bel Air, the county seat.
Does Aberdeen Proving Ground change how criminal cases work in Harford County?
Does Walsh-Little Law handle DUI cases in Harford County?
What is the difference between the Harford County Circuit Court and District Court?
Can Walsh-Little Law handle federal charges in Harford County?
Contact a Harford County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you are facing criminal charges in Harford County, whether in the Bel Air courts or in connection with activity at or near Aberdeen Proving Ground, having experienced defense representation matters from the first hearing.
Call Walsh-Little Law at 410-205-9337 for a free, confidential consultation.
- 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
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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.
