In Queen Anne’s County, criminal charges carry penalties from 90 days to 25 years 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. A Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer Queen Annes County provides critical defense against serious allegations. Contact us 24/7.
Last verified: April 2026 | District Court of MD for Queen Anne’s County | Md. Code, Criminal Law Article (official Maryland General Assembly)
Maryland criminal law defines offenses from misdemeanors to felonies, each carrying specific penalties. The Md. Code, Criminal Law Article (CR) governs all criminal offenses in Queen Anne’s County. Second-degree assault carries up to 10 years imprisonment. Theft under $100 is a misdemeanor with up to 90 days. Theft between $1,500 and $25,000 is a felony with up to 5 years. First-degree assault carries up to 25 years. Drug possession (non-marijuana, personal use) is a misdemeanor with up to 4 years. Marijuana under 10 grams is a civil citation with a $100 fine. CDS distribution is a felony with up to 20 years. The Criminal Procedure Article § 6-220 governs expungement eligibility. The Justice Reinvestment Act expanded expungement for qualifying non-violent convictions. A Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer Queen Annes County understands these statutes intimately.
For official legal references, consult the Maryland Code, Criminal Law Article (official Maryland General Assembly) and the District Court of MD for Queen Anne’s County website.
- Initial Appearance: You appear before a District Court commissioner who sets bail. This happens within 24 hours of arrest.
- Bail Review Hearing: If detained, you get a bail review hearing in District Court within 24 hours. The judge can modify conditions.
- Arraignment: You enter a plea. Misdemeanors are tried at District Court of MD for Queen Anne’s County (100 Court House Square, Centreville, MD 21617).
- Pre-Trial Motions: Your attorney files motions to suppress evidence, dismiss charges, or negotiate a plea. PBJ is often negotiated here.
- Trial or Plea: Felonies go to Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court for jury trials. Misdemeanors are tried in District Court.
- Disposition: Outcomes include dismissal, PBJ, Stet, Nolle Prosequi, conviction, or acquittal. Expungement may follow after waiting periods.
In Queen Anne’s County, criminal penalties range from civil citations to 25 years imprisonment depending on the offense classification.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second-degree assault | Misdemeanor | Up to 10 years | $2,500 | None | Protective order possible |
| Theft under $100 | Misdemeanor | Up to 90 days | $500 | None | Restitution required |
| Theft $100-$1,500 | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months | $500 | None | Restitution required |
| Theft $1,500-$25,000 | Felony | Up to 5 years | $10,000 | None | Restitution required |
| First-degree assault | Felony | Up to 25 years | $5,000 | None | Protective order possible |
| Drug possession (non-marijuana) | Misdemeanor | Up to 4 years | $1,000 | Driver’s license suspension | Drug treatment possible |
| Marijuana under 10g | Civil citation | None | $100 | None | No criminal record |
| CDS distribution | Felony | Up to 20 years | $25,000 | Driver’s license suspension | Asset forfeiture possible |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience. Firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution statute). The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Mr. Sris, Owner & CEO, Managing Attorney, also handles Queen Anne’s County criminal cases. He is a former prosecutor who founded the firm in 1997. His background in accounting & information systems provides a unique advantage in financial/tech cases. He accepts only a limited number of complex criminal matters requiring advanced strategy.
SRIS actively practices in Queen Anne’s County. Firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC. These results include dismissals, not guilty verdicts, PBJ dispositions, and charge reductions. A Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer Queen Annes County can help you understand your options.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Distance: Our Rockville/MD location serves clients at Queen Anne’s County courts. The District Court of MD for Queen Anne’s County is located at 100 Court House Square, Centreville, MD 21617.
Near-me: Criminal defense lawyer near Queen Anne’s County — serving Centreville, Queenstown, Grasonville, Stevensville, Chester, and Church Hill.
Neighborhoods served: Centreville, Queenstown, Grasonville, Stevensville, Chester, Church Hill.
Availability: 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
NAP: Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (888)-437-7747. By appointment only.
What is Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland?
Yes. 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 Queen Anne’s County (100 Court House Square, Centreville, MD 21617). After probation, PBJ cases can be expunged (3-year waiting period).
Can I get my criminal record expunged in Queen Anne’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 Queen Anne’s County are expunged through the court where the case was heard (District Court of MD for Queen Anne’s County).
What happens after a criminal arrest in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland?
After arrest in Queen Anne’s County: (1) initial appearance before a District Court commissioner who sets bail, (2) bail review hearing within 24 hours if detained, (3) arraignment, (4) trial. Misdemeanors are tried at District Court of MD for Queen Anne’s County. Felonies go to Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland?
Yes. Many Maryland misdemeanors carry significant penalties — second-degree assault: up to 10 years; theft $100-$1,500: up to 6 months. An attorney at District Court of MD for Queen Anne’s County can negotiate PBJ (no conviction on record) or dismissal.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Queen Anne’s County?
A misdemeanor is punishable by up to 1 year in jail, while a felony carries more than 1 year in prison. In Queen Anne’s County, misdemeanors are tried in District Court, while felonies go to Circuit Court for jury trials. The classification affects your rights and potential penalties.
How long does a criminal case take in Queen Anne’s County?
District Court misdemeanor cases typically take 30-90 days from arraignment to trial. Circuit Court felony cases take 3-12 months. The Hicks date (180-day speedy trial rule from first appearance) applies to felony jury trials. Preliminary hearings occur within 30 days if detained without indictment.
Related pages:
- Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer — state hub page
- Montgomery County Criminal Defense Lawyer — nearby locality
- Prince George’s County Criminal Defense Lawyer — nearby locality
- Queen Anne’s County DUI/DWI Lawyer — related practice area
- Queen Anne’s County Family Law Lawyer — related practice area
- Kristen Fisher Attorney Profile
- Maryland Office Location
Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of 2026-02-15. 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.