{"id":373831,"date":"2023-11-17T12:11:28","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T17:11:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2023-11-17T12:11:28","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T17:11:28","slug":"maryland-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maryland District Attorneys<\/h1>\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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A local criminal lawyer has most likely worked with the prosecutors in their county on other cases. They would know how to work with them to achieve a resolution in your case. More important, a defense attorney has the responsibility to protect your rights. They are required to be your strongest advocate as you handle any legal issues you may be facing.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

A district attorney or state’s attorney is the prosecuting officer of a criminal case. This officer is the official who represents the government in prosecuting criminal offenses. They work with law enforcement and make the case against a criminal defendant at trial<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Prosecutors must meet a high burden of proof at trial. In fact, they have the highest burden of proof. They must prove each element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt<\/a>. They must convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt of the defendant’s guilt before members of the Maryland judiciary. Whether they’re successful depends on the nature of the evidence presented at trial. More specifically, what evidence will be admitted at trial<\/a> can be one of the biggest determining factors in proving a defendant’s guilt.<\/p>\r\n

The nature of the evidence can also determine whether a defendant will be successful during any plea negotiations<\/a>. If an agreement can be reached, the prosecution could dismiss certain charges. A prosecutor might also seek reduced penalties if the defendant is willing to admit to certain facts or to plead guilty. This is one way to resolve your case, but it’s not the only way. In fact, if the evidence against a defendant is relatively weak, it may be better to make your case at trial.<\/p>\r\n

Communicating With the Prosecutor’s Office<\/h2>\r\n

Communicating with the prosecutor’s office may be essential for success in your case. It could help lead to a plea deal or inadvertently give you some insight into the prosecution’s strategy. It could even give you a sense of what evidence they’ll rely on at trial.<\/p>\r\n

But before entering any discussions, it’s important to seek legal advice and representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney.<\/p>\r\n

If you can’t afford an attorney, you still have options for low-cost legal representation. You can obtain an attorney through public defenders’ offices throughout the state. It’s never the best idea to try to handle your criminal law-related matters with self-help. DIY approaches are not the best choice when you’re facing charges or on trial. If you can’t secure legal representation from a public defender, you still have options beyond those lawyers. Advocacy services are available for free or low cost if you’re a qualifying person with a low income. Review the following resources for more information:<\/p>\r\n