How Are Criminal Offenses Categorized in Maryland?

Not all criminal offenses are treated the same and if you’ve been charged with any kind of crime, it’s important to understand the differences between them and potential defenses for each. Below is a breakdown of the five different types of criminal offenses and what you can expect when you reach out to an attorney for help.

Organized or White Collar Crime

Organized crime, or white collar crime, is nonviolent offenses such as extortion, money laundering, smuggling of contraband, human or drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and the manufacture or distribution of counterfeit products. In many cases, white collar crimes are organized across multiple countries and involve many different people. That said, some white collar criminal offenses are committed by individuals.

Violent Criminal Offenses

Crimes against other people, or in some cases animals, are generally considered to be violent crimes. Examples of violent crimes include but aren’t limited to homicide, manslaughter, sexual assault against an adult or child, assault and battery, robbery, child endangerment, kidnapping, and gang crimes. These offenses generally carry the harshest punishments in response to the seriousness of the alleged crime.

Tech Crimes

Tech or computer crimes may be considered white collar or organized depending on the type of crime and how it was committed. Common tech crimes include wire fraud, identity theft, debit or credit card fraud, and other types of cybercrime.

Crimes That Violate Public Order

Criminal offenses that violate public order are crimes that are considered to contradict or interfere with societal order. Common public order offenses faced by defendants in Maryland may include adult pornography (child pornography is considered violent), prostitution, solicitation, drug offenses, and drunk and disorderly conduct.

Crimes Against Property

Property crimes are usually categorized as nonviolent when people aren’t involved. For example, arson is a property crime unless one or more people were in the building that burned. Other property crimes may include trespassing, vandalism or other destruction of property, possessing stolen items, auto theft, shoplifting, and similar “victimless” offenses.

How an Eastern Shore Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You

No matter what type of criminal charges you’re facing, it’s critical that you start working with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you learn that you’re a suspect in an investigation. Call Britt Criminal Defense now to schedule your consultation appointment by dialing 443-944-5705. We’re available now to provide you with comprehensive legal assistance.

What Does It Mean When My Criminal Defense Lawyer Says “Objection!?”

Even if you’ve never been to court before, you’ve likely watched a television show or movie where a criminal defense lawyer stood up during trial and shouted “Objection, your honor!” While entertaining in the aforementioned context, it’s important to understand objections, how they work, and under what circumstances attorneys can and do raise objections. What […]

How Does Unsupervised Probation Work?

Probation is a potential penalty for defendants who have been convicted and found guilty of the crime they were accused of. Unsupervised probation is one type that may be imposed. Here’s what it is, what to consider, and how to get legal support after you’ve been charged with a criminal offense. How Does Unsupervised Probation […]

What Is an Unreasonable Search By Law Enforcement?

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was added to limit the power of the government and law enforcement officials against the privacy of ordinary citizens. Law enforcement may not conduct a search or seize evidence against someone without adequate justification to do so according to constitutional law. How evidence is treated in an American […]

What Are My Options After Being Charged as a Criminal Accomplice?

It’s a common belief that if someone didn’t actually commit a serious crime, they can’t be held accountable for any aspect of it. However, you may be accused of conspiring to help someone else commit a crime, and it may be challenging to acquire the solid proof needed to show that you played no role […]

Will I Need to Admit Everything to My Defense Lawyer?

After being arrested, you may be worried that you’ll have to tell your defense attorney everything about what happened for them to be able to effectively represent you. However, this may not be the case. Here’s what you should know. Some Attorneys Don’t Want to Know the Whole Story While attorney-client privilege protects you from […]

What Is Alternative Sentencing in Maryland?

If you are convicted of a crime in Maryland, you may not necessarily go straight to jail. Depending on the crime you were found guilty of and your criminal history, you may be offered an alternative sentence. An alternative sentence is a penalty designed to do less harm than jail time but provide you with […]

Which Incarceration Alternatives Might I Be Eligible For?

Being charged with and convicted of a crime is frightening and many people assume they’re going to be incarcerated for at least a short period of time after all is said and done. However, this isn’t necessarily true in every case. Some defendants are eligible for alternatives to jail time depending on the circumstances of […]

How Do Adult and Juvenile Criminal Cases Differ In Maryland?

It’s a common misconception that all criminal cases are treated the same way. In Maryland and other states, juvenile criminal cases have radically different sets of rules and guidelines than adult criminal cases. Here’s what you need to know to help support your child after an arrest and get the legal assistance you need. Average […]

Should I Take the Stand In My Criminal Case?

Most seasoned lawyers actively discourage their clients from taking the stand in their criminal cases, despite what you may see in movies and on television. It’s unnecessary for the defendant to give a statement and doing so may open up more opportunities for the prosecution to weaken your case or make you appear guilty in […]