Violent Crimes Lawyer Baltimore
Violent crime charges in Maryland, assault, robbery, carjacking, arson, carry serious consequences including significant prison time, a permanent felony record, and lifetime impacts on your ability to work, own a firearm, or live in certain housing. Prosecutors in Baltimore City and the surrounding counties pursue these cases aggressively, and the evidence against you, surveillance footage, victim testimony, and physical evidence, is often assembled long before charges are filed. At Walsh-Little Law, David Walsh-Little provides experienced violent crime defense for people facing these charges.
David has spent over a decade in Baltimore's criminal courts as a public defender and more than four years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender. He has handled the full range of violent crime cases and understands how these cases are built and how to defend them.
If you are facing violent crime charges in Baltimore or the surrounding area, contact Walsh-Little Law today at 410-205-9337 for a free, confidential consultation.
Violent Crime Charges in Maryland
Assault in the First Degree — § 3-202
Under Md. Criminal Law § 3-202, first-degree assault involves intentionally causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury to another person, or committing an assault with a firearm. First-degree assault is a felony carrying:
- Up to 25 years in prison
If a firearm is involved, additional gun charges — including use of a handgun in a crime of violence under § 4-204 with its mandatory 5-year minimum — are often stacked onto the assault charge, multiplying the exposure significantly.
Assault in the Second Degree — § 3-203
Under Md. Criminal Law § 3-203, second-degree assault is the intentional or reckless causing of offensive physical contact or apprehension of immediate bodily harm. It is a misdemeanor — but a serious one carrying:
- Up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $2,500
- Up to 10 years in prison and/or $5,000 in fines if the victim was a law enforcement officer, parole or probation agent, or certain other protected persons
Second-degree assault cases in Baltimore frequently arise from domestic situations, bar incidents, or street confrontations where the facts are disputed, and witness credibility is central to the defense.
Robbery — § 3-402
Under Md. Criminal Law § 3-402, robbery is the taking or attempted taking of property from another person by force or intimidation. Robbery is a felony carrying:
- Up to 15 years in prison
Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon (Armed Robbery) — § 3-403
Under Md. Criminal Law § 3-403, robbery committed while the defendant possesses, displays, or threatens with a dangerous weapon — including claiming to possess a weapon even without one — is armed robbery, carrying:
- Up to 20 years in prison
- Additional mandatory 5-year minimum if a handgun was used (§ 4-204 charge stacked)
Carjacking — § 3-405
Under Md. Criminal Law § 3-405, carjacking is the intentional taking of a motor vehicle from a person in possession of it through the use of force, threat of force, or intimidation. Carjacking is a felony carrying:
- Up to 30 years in prison
- Armed carjacking (with a dangerous weapon) also carries up to 30 years, with additional handgun charge exposure
Reckless Endangerment — § 3-204
Reckless endangerment is the reckless engagement in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another. It is commonly charged in shooting incidents where no one was injured, or in cases where a vehicle was used in a dangerous manner. Reckless endangerment is a misdemeanor carrying up to 5 years and/or a $5,000 fine.
Violent Crime Defense Strategies in Baltimore
Self-Defense and Defense of Others
Maryland law recognizes the right to use reasonable force, including deadly force in appropriate circumstances, to protect yourself or others from imminent harm. In assault and battery cases, self-defense is often the central defense. The key legal questions are whether the defendant had a reasonable belief that force was necessary and whether the force used was proportionate to the threat.
Challenging Eyewitness Identification
Eyewitness identification is one of the most powerful and most unreliable forms of evidence in violent crime cases. Memory is affected by stress, lighting, duration of the encounter, and cross-racial identification dynamics. Challenging the reliability of identification evidence through cross-examination, expert witnesses on memory and perception, and motions to suppress suggestive lineup procedures is a critical defense tool in many Baltimore violent crime cases.
Disputing the Factual Account
Many violent crime cases turn on disputed facts, such as who struck first, what was said, who had a weapon, and what the victim's account actually reflects. Surveillance footage, witness statements, medical evidence, and physical evidence can all be contested. In cases where the facts are genuinely disputed, a thorough defense investigation is essential to finding evidence that supports your version of events.
Challenging the Charge Level
Prosecutors often charge at the highest level the evidence might support. Challenging whether the evidence actually establishes first-degree versus second-degree assault, or robbery versus armed robbery, can dramatically affect the potential sentence. Where a charge reduction is appropriate based on the facts and evidence, David works to achieve it, whether through pre-trial negotiation or trial.
Suppressing Evidence Obtained Through Unlawful Searches
Violent crime investigations often involve searches of vehicles, homes, and digital devices. If those searches were conducted without a valid warrant or without meeting one of the narrow exceptions to the warrant requirement, the evidence obtained may be suppressible. A successful suppression motion can significantly weaken or eliminate the prosecution's case.
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.
Why Choose David Walsh-Little as Your Baltimore Violent Crimes Defense Attorney
David Walsh-Little brings a combination of state and federal public defense experience that is uncommon in private criminal defense practice:
- 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 Maryland
- Foundational training under renowned civil rights attorney William M. Kunstler, instilling a commitment to zealous, client-centered defense
- Deep familiarity with Baltimore City District Court, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, and county courts throughout the Baltimore metro area
- A practice built on giving every client, regardless of the charge, the same quality of representation
David started Walsh-Little Law specifically to provide high-quality legal representation to people charged with crimes in Maryland's state and federal courts. When you hire Walsh-Little Law, you work directly with David, not a paralegal, not a junior associate.
Serving Baltimore & Surrounding Counties
Walsh-Little Law represents clients throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area in both state and federal courts.
Frequently Asked Questions: Violent Crime Charges in Baltimore
What is the difference between first and second degree assault in Maryland?
First-degree assault under § 3-202 involves intentionally causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury, or committing assault with a firearm. It is a felony carrying up to 25 years. Second-degree assault under § 3-203 involves intentional or reckless offensive contact or apprehension of harm. It is a misdemeanor carrying up to 10 years. The distinction depends primarily on whether serious physical injury was intended and whether a firearm was involved.
Can I claim self-defense if I was charged with assault in Maryland?
What happens if a gun was used during an alleged robbery in Maryland?
How serious is a carjacking charge in Maryland?
Can violent crime charges be reduced or dismissed in Maryland?
Contact a Baltimore Violent Crimes Defense Attorney Today - Free Consultation
Early action matters; the sooner David reviews your case, the more options may be available. Do not face the Maryland court system alone.
Call Walsh-Little Law today at 410-205-9337 for a free, confidential consultation. David will review your case, explain your options, and help you understand what defense strategies may apply to your situation.
- 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.
