Maryland Criminal Law Center
Law Guide Articles
Criminal Defense Lawyers and Public Defenders
Criminal Law: An Overview
Criminal Procedure: An Overview
Dealing with the Police
Lie Detectors, Drug Tests and Other Scientific Evidence
Search and Seizure
Trials, Sentencing, Punishment and Appeals
Understanding Plea Bargaining: How Most Criminal Cases are Settled
Victim Services in Maryland
How to Change Your Criminal Record
Information from the District Court of Maryland
The
Public Defenders Office offers free legal representation
The assistance of the Public Defenders Office is for jailable offenses only.
You must meet the Federal
Poverty Guidelines to be assisted by a Public Defender. You must pay a
$50 administrative fee to have a public defender represent you. (Comar
14.06.03.07).You can contact the Public
Defenders Office in your county to see if you qualify for their assistance.
There are several things you need to bring when you meet with a Public Defender:
-
Have a copy of your charging
document with you;
-
If you are employed, you must
bring two pay stubs that are no more than 30 days old;
-
If you are currently receiving
Social Security, bring your budget letter;
-
If you receive public assistance
of any kind, bring your budget letter;
-
If you are unemployed and do not
receive assistance, bring a letter from the person who supports you
verifying that you do not work. Be sure the letter includes your name,
address, and phone number.
If you attempt to receive the
assistance of the Public Defender by falsely representing your financial status,
you may be fined up to $1000 dollars and face imprisonment. (Md.
Ann. Code art. 27 § 214B)
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