Howard County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Q: Does Walsh-Little Law handle DUI cases in Howard County?

Yes. David Walsh-Little represents clients charged with DUI and DWI throughout Howard County. The I-95, Route 29, and Route 32 corridors are active enforcement areas. If you were arrested for DUI in Howard County, the 10-day MVA hearing deadline runs from the date of your arrest. Contact Walsh-Little Law immediately to protect your driving privileges.

Q: Can Walsh-Little Law handle both state and federal charges in Howard County?

Yes. David handles cases in Howard 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 in the federal system.

Howard County sits between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and its courts handle a range of criminal matters from DUI and drug charges to serious felonies. With Ellicott City as the county seat and Columbia as one of the largest planned cities in the United States, the county is home to a substantial and diverse population. If you are facing criminal charges in Howard County, Walsh-Little Law provides experienced defense representation in the county's Circuit Court and District Court in Ellicott City.

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 Howard County courts and understands the specific procedures and expectations of both the Ellicott City Circuit Court and District Court.

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

Howard County Courts: Where Your Case Will Be Heard

Howard County Circuit Court

Felony charges and cases where a jury trial has been elected are heard in the Howard County Circuit Court, located at 8360 Court Avenue, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The Circuit Court handles all felony matters, appeals from District Court, and jury trials. Ellicott City is the county seat, and the courthouse sits in the Ellicott City courthouse complex.

Howard County District Court

Misdemeanor charges, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings are handled by the Howard County District Court, located at 3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043, adjacent to the Circuit Court. Howard County has a single District Court location serving the entire county, so all District Court matters in Howard County are heard in Ellicott City.

District Court cases are decided by a judge alone with no jury. If you are charged with a misdemeanor 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 that depends on the specific charges and evidence.

If you were arrested for DUI or DWI anywhere in Howard County, the 10-day MVA hearing deadline begins running from the date of your arrest. I-95, Route 29, and Route 32 are all active enforcement corridors in the county. Contact Walsh-Little Law immediately after an arrest to preserve that deadline.

Criminal Defense Practice Areas in Howard County

Walsh-Little Law handles criminal defense matters throughout Howard County's courts, including:

DUI and DWI

Howard County's position on major commuter routes, including I-95, Route 29, and Route 32, means DUI and DWI enforcement is active throughout the county. David examines every DUI case for defects in the traffic stop, breathalyzer calibration, and testing procedure challenges, and MVA hearing strategy to protect your driving privileges.

Drug Charges

Howard County drug cases range from simple possession to felony possession with intent to distribute. The county's proximity to both Baltimore and DC means distribution investigations sometimes involve multiple jurisdictions. David examines every drug case for Fourth Amendment search issues, intent-to-distribute evidence challenges, and diversion program eligibility.

Gun Crimes

Maryland's strict firearms laws apply throughout Howard County. David handles illegal carry, transport, and possession charges in Howard County's courts, including cases where state charges may be accompanied by potential federal firearms exposure.

Violent Crimes and Assault

Assault, robbery, and related violent crime charges in Howard County are tried in the Circuit Court in Ellicott City. These cases often involve disputed facts, contested self-defense claims, and complex evidentiary issues that require thorough preparation.

Federal Charges

Federal criminal cases arising from conduct in Howard County are handled in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Baltimore. David's experience as a long-standing federal defense attorney makes Walsh-Little Law well-placed to handle charges at both the federal and state levels. Howard County is also home to the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center in Jessup, the state's primary forensic psychiatric facility, which can be relevant in cases where mental health is a factor.

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 Howard County Defense

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

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 Howard County

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

Ellicott City (county seat)
Columbia
Jessup
Laurel (Howard County portion)
Savage
Elkridge
Clarksville
Fulton
Highland
Marriottsville
West Friendship

Frequently Asked Questions: Criminal Defense in Howard County

Where are criminal cases heard in Howard County?

Howard County has a single court location: the courthouse complex in Ellicott City. The Circuit Court (8360 Court Avenue) handles felonies and jury trials. The District Court (3451 Courthouse Drive, adjacent to the Circuit Court) handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings. All criminal matters in Howard County, whether Circuit or District Court, are heard in Ellicott City.

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

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

The Circuit Court in Ellicott City handles felonies, jury trials, and appeals from District Court. The District Court, located nearby at 3451 Courthouse Drive, handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings. District Court cases are decided by a judge alone. Defendants may elect a jury trial in Circuit Court for cases where the potential sentence exceeds 90 days.

Are drug charges common in Howard County?

Yes. Howard County's position between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., makes it an active area for both possession and distribution investigations. Drug charges in the county range from simple possession of cannabis or controlled substances to felony possession with intent to distribute. The specifics of how and where the drugs were found, and whether the search was lawful, are among the first issues David examines in any Howard County drug case.

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

Contact a Howard County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you are facing criminal charges in Howard County, having an attorney who knows the Ellicott City Circuit Court and District Court is an advantage from the outset.

Call Walsh-Little Law at 410-205-9337 for a free, confidential consultation.

☎ (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

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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.