Criminal Defense
Overview
Our approach to defending our criminal defense clients’ rights is to be proactive. At Nowicki & Associates, we don’t just settle for the initial discovery packet that all attorneys automatically get from the prosecutor at the beginning of the case. We start by considering what discovery items the prosecution has failed to give us that may help us win your case. You have a constitutional right to have the court compel the prosecutor to produce any evidence that may be in his or her possession that would point to your innocence. We make sure that we get this crucial material. We thoroughly investigate your case, review witness statements and physical evidence, and assemble the right team of legal professionals including investigators and experts to aggressively defend your case. We have a network of toxicologists, criminologists, psychologists and other highly specialized experts who are ready to assist in challenging the prosecutor’s case against you. You can rest assured that you will receive the zealous and aggressive defense that you deserve with Nowicki & Associates.
Some Maryland criminal defense lawyers take a wait-and-see approach. They stall until the first court date, or until they receive the police reports, before investigating and working up your case.
By contrast, we believe there’s no time to waste. The most critical window for defense work may be the first few days following an arrest, or even prior to formal charges being filed. By getting to work immediately, often we can locate favorable defense evidence and witnesses, and get a “head start” towards defeating the charges.
Make no mistake. Police officers concern themselves mainly with aiding the prosecution and building up a case against you. They should not be relied upon to gather favorable evidence that helps exonerate their suspect. They are not on your side.
We ensure:
-Immediately request that your case be turned over to our lawyers by the state’s attorney
-Carry out extensive research for your benefit to obtain the most advantageous result
-Interview witnesses, victims and police officers
-Interview and locate defense witnesses
-Visit sites of the alleged crimes and obtain pictures or other documentation
-Obtain surveillance tapes
-Do background checks on key prosecution witnesses
-Locate any and all evidence to corroborate our client’s version of the events.
Knowing the Local Courts
Every county and every courthouse has its own way of doing things. The criminal court process in Baltimore County, for example, differs significantly from the process in the neighboring Harford County.
Our attorneys have been working day in and day out in the same places for over forty years, developing trusting relationships with judges, prosecutors, probation officers and court staff. Moreover, we know how things work in courtrooms and with particular prosecuting agencies.
Close Personal Contact with Your Attorney
At Nowicki & Associates we take pride in offering personal and individualized attention to each and every one of our clients. We understand that being charged with a criminal offense is stressful and upsetting. Therefore, we make it a priority to listen to our clients’ concerns and address each of our clients’ individual needs. We know that effective attorney-client communication is key to both reducing the anxiety that naturally comes with being charged with a criminal offense and to effectively defending our clients’ rights.
At Nowicki & Associates, we put a premium on the accessibility of our Maryland criminal defense lawyers and support staff. We are here to provide moral and emotional support as well as legal representation. To do this, we observe what we consider our “Golden Rule”:
Every client phone call, email, or text is returned within 24 hours by our staff.
Early Intervention Before Charges Get Filed
Sometimes it is possible to stop criminal charges from ever being filed.
After making an arrest or investigating a suspected crime, the police take their evidence to the state’s attorney. The state’s attorney evaluates the potential case and decides what criminal charges (if any) to file. Usually, the prosecutor makes this decision based solely on what the police present. But often there is much more to the story.
Often, our Maryland criminal lawyers can also meet with the state’s attorney during this same time period. We can present our witness statements, our evidence, and our information.
Knowing your side of the story may affect the state’s attorneys’ calculations. When the prosecutors see the whole picture, not just what the police (or the alleged “victim”) have to say, they may decide to file lesser charges (a misdemeanor rather than a felony, for example) or not to file criminal charges at all.
Bail, Release & Warrants
If your loved one is custody, our Maryland criminal defense attorneys can often arrange a “bail hearing” to get bail reduced or to secure an “Own Recognizance Release.” We assist inmates in custody at any of the state’s jails while they are pending trial after charges have been filed against them. Likewise, if a warrant has been issued for your arrest due to a criminal charge, we can often request the withdrawal of that warrant and request the judge who issued the warrant, recall or quash the warrant due to our representation of you in the case and ensuring your appearance at trial. We take great pride and have great success in keeping our clients at home and with their family while they face the stress and anxiety of a criminal charge and trial.
Criminal Charges
At Nowicki & Associates we have extensive experience handling the following criminal charges in the State of Maryland, particularly in Baltimore & Harford Counties and the surrounding areas:
-Driving Under the Influence (DUI) & Driving While Impaired (DWI)
-Motor Vehicle Administrative Hearings resulting from DUI/DWI
-Driving on Suspended or Revoked License, Registration, Insurance
-Other Traffic Offenses – Speeding Tickets, Reckless and Negligent Driving, Etc.
-Assault 1st degree, 2nd degree, Reckless Endangerment
-Marijuana Law – ever changing – know the latest Maryland Marijuana laws and criminality
-Civil citation for less than 10 grams, criminal charges for marijuana
-Drugs Charges
-Distributing, Possession with Intent to Distribute, Dispensing or Manufacturing CDS
-Theft
-Fraud, Credit Card Misuse, Bad Checks
-Burglary, Robbery
-Malicious Destruction of Property
-Trespassing
-Harassment, Stalking or Surveillance
-Disorderly Conduct, Disturbing the Peace, Resisting Arrest
-Handgun and Weapons charges
-Peace and Protective Order Proceedings representing either the Petitioner (Complainant) or the Respondent
-Construction Crimes
If you are interested in learning how Nowicki & Associates can help you, contact our office to arrange a consultation. Call us at 410-879-0026 or email Tyler J. Nowicki, Esq. directly at [email protected]. All consultations are free and we’ll take the time to answer each and every question.