Our Office

Felonies

Aggressive La Plata Defense Attorneys Skillfully Represent Clients Facing Felony Charges

Felonies are charges you must defend against to preserve your freedom and your future

Felonies are the most serious of criminal charges. A felony conviction carries the threat of lifelong consequences and severe punishment. For more than a century, Mudd, Mudd & Fitzgerald, P.A. has assertively advocated for Southern Maryland clients charged with felony crimes. Our experienced legal counselors strategize your criminal defense, searching for evidence and mitigating factors to prove your innocence and restore your reputation. We fight for your rights every step of the way.

The areas of criminal defense in which we serve clients

    • Murder — Maryland has several charging levels for taking the life of another person depending upon whether the defendant allegedly failed to use reasonable care or engaged in “cool deliberation, no matter how brief.” Penalties for murder range from three years’ imprisonment to life behind bars without the possibility of parole. The murder/homicide statutory categories are:
  • First-degree murder
  • Second-degree murder
  • Depraved-heart murder (also known as depraved-indifference murder)
  • Voluntary manslaughter
  • Involuntary manslaughter
  • Vehicular manslaughter
    • Rape and sexual assault — Unwanted and forcible sexual acts are commonly referred to as rape, although the term “sexual assault” is becoming more commonplace as a description of prohibited sexual acts. Sexual assault carries criminal penalties ranging from one year to life in prison, depending upon the severity of the crime. If convicted of a sex crime, after their release from confinement, most defendants are required to register with law enforcement as a sex offender — sometimes for life. Some of the unwanted sexual acts consistent with rape are:
  • Date rape
  • Statutory rape 
  • Sexual assault
  • Consensual sex alleged to be nonconsensual
  • Drug- or alcohol-influenced sexual encounters
  • Diminished mental capacity of the alleged victim, meaning that person lacks the ability to knowingly consent to sexual contact
    • Forgery — The act of illegally creating, altering or using false documents with intent to deceive and defraud is forgery. Forgery also occurs when someone knowingly delivers forged documents. Criminal charges for forgery are tier-based, with penalties ranging from 90 days’ to 15 years’ imprisonment and up to a $1,000 fine, plus restitution. Commonly forged documents include:
  • Credit cards
  • Contracts
  • Driver licenses
  • Financial documents
  • Identification cards
  • Legal certificates and documents
  • Personal checks
  • Counterfeited or faked stamps, coins, art, or money
  • Signatures

Felonies are serious crimes—we defend your legal rights

Mudd, Mudd & Fitzgerald, P.A., established in 1907, is one of the oldest and largest family, criminal and personal injury law firms in La Plata and throughout Charles County, and conveniently located two blocks from the courthouse. Our firm has been selected for the prestigious AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™. Our law office is handicapped-accessible and conveniently located two blocks from the Charles County Circuit and District Courts. We offer criminal defense services that are competitively priced. We welcome your call at 240.776.5078 or contact us online to discuss your felony case.

We are leaders, litigators and trial attorneys who fight for your rights.