Glen Burnie & Anne Arundel County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Maryland sentencing guidelines

After criminal conviction, your next concern is sentencing. A lot of leeway exists in Maryland for sentencing, and a criminal defense lawyers in Anne Arundel County and Glen Burnie can help you understand how judges look at cases and decide sentencing. I have more than a decade of experience representing clients in criminal cases, working to present my clients’ cases in a light that favors reduced sentencing. Call the Law Office of Robert A. Siegel, P.A. to discuss strategy for sentencing.

How Maryland sentencing guidelines work

Maryland sentencing guidelines encompass a wide range of years for most crimes. A sentence is considered the total time for incarceration, credited time, and home detention.

In Maryland, judges have the discretion of whether or not to follow sentencing guidelines for many types of crimes. Judges may depart from the guidelines. While a judge that does this is required to document reasons for departure, the majority of judges fail to do so, according to the Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy (MSCCSP). The MSCCSP reports that the average width of range that judges sentence for crimes committed against other individuals is 8.85 years, 4.05 years for property offenses, and 2.2 years for drug offenses.

Despite discretionary sentencing in many cases, certain types of crimes in Maryland are subject to mandatory minimum sentencing. For example, drug distribution carries a mandatory minimum two-year prison sentence for a repeat offense.

Factors that influence sentencing decisions

When an individual is up for sentencing, the judge receives a pre-sentence report written by a probation officer based on information gathered about the convicted offender. The report contains information such as:

The probation officer may recommend other alternatives to jail—such as drug rehabilitation, community service, or probation.

I am committed to achieving a favorable outcome for your case. If conviction occurs, the next hurdle is to reduce sentencing. I work with prosecutors and judges, use strategies to influence their decision, and help preserve your freedoms as much as possible.

Contact criminal defense lawyers in Glen Burnie & Anne Arundel County for legal help

For a free initial consultation to discuss your criminal charges, contact the Law Office of Robert A. Siegel, P.A.