Facing criminal charges in St. Mary’s County? Maryland law carries penalties from fines to 25 years for first-degree assault under Md. Code, Criminal Law Article. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide. Our former prosecutors provide the defense you need. Contact us today.
Last verified: April 2026 | District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County | Md. Code, Criminal Law Article (official Maryland General Assembly)
Maryland criminal law defines offenses under the Criminal Law Article (CR). St. Mary’s County prosecutes misdemeanors in District Court and felonies in Circuit Court. The State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County handles all prosecutions. Penalties range from civil citations to 25 years for first-degree assault. The Justice Reinvestment Act expanded expungement eligibility for many non-violent convictions.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. Our firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, demonstrating our commitment to shaping the law.
Review the official statutes: Md. Code, Criminal Law Article (official Maryland General Assembly). For court procedures, visit the District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County (official Maryland Courts).
In St. Mary’s County District Court, prosecutors routinely offer Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) for first-time offenders. PBJ avoids a formal conviction on your record. After completing probation, you may qualify for expungement after a 3-year waiting period. The court at 23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 handles all initial appearances and misdemeanor trials.
- Initial Appearance: A District Court commissioner sets bail within 24 hours of arrest.
- Bail Review: If detained, a bail review hearing occurs in District Court within 24 hours.
- Arraignment: You enter a plea. Misdemeanors proceed in District Court; felonies go to Circuit Court.
- Discovery: Your attorney reviews evidence and files pretrial motions.
- Trial or Plea: Negotiate a PBJ, Stet, or dismissal, or proceed to trial.
- Expungement: After acquittal, dismissal, or PBJ completion, file for expungement to clear your record.
In St. Mary’s County, criminal charges carry penalties from civil fines to 25 years in prison. Maryland law classifies offenses by severity.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Degree Assault | Felony | Up to 25 years | Up to $2,500 | None | Firearm prohibition |
| Second-Degree Assault | Misdemeanor | Up to 10 years | Up to $2,500 | None | Protective order possible |
| Theft $1,500-$25,000 | Felony | Up to 5 years | Up to $10,000 | None | Restitution ordered |
| Theft $100-$1,500 | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months | Up to $500 | None | Restitution ordered |
| Drug Possession (non-marijuana) | Misdemeanor | Up to 4 years | Up to $1,000 | 6-month license suspension | Drug treatment evaluation |
| Marijuana under 10g | Civil citation | None | $100 fine | None | No criminal record |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. Our firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience. Firm-wide, we have handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. Our tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.” Our attorneys include former prosecutors who understand how the State builds cases against you.
Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute in Virginia. This demonstrates our firm’s ability to shape legal precedent and achieve meaningful results for clients.
Our secondary attorney, Mr. Sris, is the firm’s founder and managing attorney. He is a former prosecutor with bar admissions in VA, MD, DC, NJ, and NY. He personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 and has over 120 years of combined firm experience.
SRIS actively practices in St. Mary’s County. Firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Rockville/MD location serves clients at St. Mary’s County courts, accessible via Route 5, Route 235, and Route 4. We serve Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, Great Mills, Hollywood, and Mechanicsville (MD).
Looking for a criminal defense lawyer near St. Mary’s County? Our attorneys are ready to help.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Maryland
199 E Montgomery Ave Suite 100 Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (888)-437-7747
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
What is Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?
Yes. PBJ is a Maryland disposition where the judge places you on probation instead of entering a guilty verdict. PBJ avoids a formal conviction on your record. It is available for most misdemeanors and many felonies at District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County. After probation, PBJ cases can be expunged after a 3-year waiting period.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?
Yes. Maryland allows expungement for acquittals, dismissals, Nolle Prosequi, Stet, PBJ (after 3 years), and many non-violent convictions under the Justice Reinvestment Act. Cases in St. Mary’s County are expunged through the court where the case was heard. Contact SRIS at (888) 437-7747 for help.
What happens after a criminal arrest in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?
After arrest in St. Mary’s County: (1) initial appearance before a District Court commissioner who sets bail, (2) bail review hearing within 24 hours if detained, (3) arraignment, (4) trial. Misdemeanors are tried at District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County. Felonies go to St. Mary’s County Circuit Court.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?
Yes. Many Maryland misdemeanors carry significant penalties — second-degree assault: up to 10 years; theft $100-$1,500: up to 6 months. An attorney at District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County can negotiate PBJ (no conviction on record) or dismissal. Contact SRIS at (888) 437-7747.
What is the difference between Stet and Nolle Prosequi in Maryland?
It depends. Stet places your case on an inactive docket indefinitely. The State can reopen it within one year. Nolle Prosequi means the State’s Attorney drops the charges permanently. Both dispositions are eligible for immediate expungement. Your attorney can negotiate either outcome based on your case facts.
Learn more about our Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer services. We also serve Montgomery County and Prince George’s County. For related legal needs, see our DUI/DWI Lawyer in St. Mary’s County and Divorce & Family Law Lawyer in St. Mary’s County.
View attorney profile: Kristen M. Fisher. Visit our Maryland Office Location.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for updated guidance.