St. Mary’s County Criminal Defense Lawyer

In St. Mary’s County, Maryland, criminal charges carry serious penalties under Md. Code, Criminal Law Article. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide with over 93% favorable outcomes. Your defense starts with a former prosecutor who understands how the District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County operates.

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Understanding Criminal Law in St. Mary’s County, Maryland

Maryland criminal law is codified in the Criminal Law Article of the Maryland Code. Offenses range from misdemeanors like second-degree assault (up to 10 years) to felonies like first-degree assault (up to 25 years). The District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County handles all misdemeanor trials and initial appearances for felonies. The State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County prosecutes these cases. Maryland’s Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) is a critical disposition that avoids a formal conviction on your record. Expungement is available for acquittals, dismissals, Nolle Prosequi, Stet, PBJ after a 3-year waiting period, and qualifying non-violent convictions under the expanded Justice Reinvestment Act.

Last verified: April 2026 | District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County | Md. Code, Criminal Law Article (official Maryland General Assembly)

Official Resources for St. Mary’s County Criminal Cases

For the complete text of Maryland criminal statutes, visit the Maryland General Assembly Criminal Law Article. For court procedures, forms, and local rules, visit the District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County official website.

Insider Procedural Edge: What We Know About St. Mary’s County Courts

St. Mary’s County District Court handles all misdemeanor trials and initial appearances for felonies. The State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County prosecutes cases. Maryland’s Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) is a critical disposition — it avoids a formal conviction on the defendant’s record and is available for many offenses. Nolle Prosequi (State’s Attorney drops charges) and Stet (placed on inactive docket) are common dispositions.

Initial Appearance: Within 24 hours of arrest, a District Court commissioner sets bail at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center.
Bail Review: If detained, a bail review hearing occurs in District Court within 24 hours. Your attorney can argue for release on personal recognizance or reduced bail.
Arraignment: You appear before a judge to hear charges and enter a plea. For misdemeanors, this happens in District Court. For felonies, this happens in Circuit Court after indictment.
Discovery and Motions: Your attorney reviews the State’s evidence and files motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges based on procedural violations.
Plea Negotiation or Trial: Your attorney negotiates with the State’s Attorney for a favorable disposition — PBJ, Nolle Prosequi, Stet, or reduced charges. If no agreement, your case proceeds to trial.
Sentencing or Expungement: If convicted, sentencing occurs immediately in District Court or after a pre-sentence report in Circuit Court. After acquittal, dismissal, or completion of PBJ probation, your attorney files for expungement.

In St. Mary’s County, Maryland, criminal charges carry penalties ranging from civil citations to 25 years in prison depending on the offense classification.

Offense	Classification	Incarceration	Fine	License Impact	Additional Consequences
Second-degree assault	Misdemeanor	Up to 10 years	Up to $2,500	None	Protective order possible
Theft under $100	Misdemeanor	Up to 90 days	Up to $500	None	Restitution required
Theft $100-$1,500	Misdemeanor	Up to 6 months	Up to $500	None	Restitution required
Theft $1,500-$25,000	Felony	Up to 5 years	Up to $10,000	None	Restitution required
First-degree assault	Felony	Up to 25 years	Up to $5,000	None	Protective order possible
Drug possession (non-marijuana)	Misdemeanor	Up to 4 years	Up to $1,000	Driver’s license suspension	Drug treatment evaluation
Marijuana under 10g	Civil citation	None	$100	None	No criminal record
CDS distribution	Felony	Up to 20 years	Up to $25,000	Driver’s license suspension	Forfeiture of assets

Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Why Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Handles St. Mary’s County Criminal Cases

Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to every case. 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 St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney builds cases. This insider knowledge allows us to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and negotiate favorable dispositions like PBJ, Nolle Prosequi, or Stet.

Kristen M. Fisher — Of Counsel (Former Prosecutor)

Kristen Fisher is a former Assistant State’s Attorney in Maryland who prosecuted diverse criminal cases in both District and Circuit Courts. She joined Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. in 2010 and dedicates 75% of her practice to litigation. She represents clients in Maryland State and Federal Courts, as well as Virginia State Courts. Bar admissions: Maryland; Virginia.

Case Results in St. Mary’s County and Across Maryland

SRIS actively practices in St. Mary’s County. Firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. While specific St. Mary’s County case results are not listed here, our firm has achieved significant outcomes in Maryland, including Nolle Prosequi dispositions on serious charges like child pornography promotion and distribution in Baltimore County.

Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

199 E Montgomery Ave Suite 100 Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850, United States

Contact a Revenge Porn Lawyer St Marys County

Our Rockville/MD location serves clients at St. Mary’s County courts. The District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County is located at 23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650, accessible via Route 5, Route 235, and Route 4.

We serve clients in Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, Great Mills, Hollywood, and Mechanicsville (MD).

24/7 phone consultations — Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (888)-437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.

By appointment only.

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in St. Mary’s County

What is Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?

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 and 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, either District Court or Circuit Court.

What happens after a criminal arrest in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?

After arrest in St. Mary’s County: initial appearance before a District Court commissioner who sets bail, bail review hearing within 24 hours if detained, arraignment, then trial. Misdemeanors are tried at District Court. Felonies go to St. Mary’s County Circuit Court. Bail is set by the commissioner at initial appearance.

Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?

Yes. Many Maryland misdemeanors carry significant penalties — second-degree assault carries up to 10 years, and theft between $100 and $1,500 carries up to 6 months. An attorney at District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County can negotiate PBJ to avoid a conviction on your record or seek dismissal of charges.

What is the difference between Stet and Nolle Prosequi in St. Mary’s County?

A Nolle Prosequi means the State’s Attorney drops the charges permanently. A Stet places the case on an inactive docket — the charges remain pending but inactive. After a Stet, the State can reopen the case within one year. Both dispositions are eligible for expungement.

How long do I have to wait to expunge a PBJ in St. Mary’s County?

You must wait 3 years from the date the PBJ was entered before filing for expungement. During that time, you must complete all terms of probation without any new criminal charges. After the waiting period, your attorney files a petition for expungement with the court where the PBJ was entered.

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Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of February 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.

Office visits by appointment only. Phone consultations available 24/7.