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About Criminal Law Group
Criminal Law Group Capabilities
Process & Strategies
Criminal Law Group Experience

About Criminal Law Group Back to Top

Stein Sperling understands that sometimes circumstances arise where you, a family member or friend become involved with the criminal justice system. Our Criminal Law Group can provide you with the highest quality representation in a discreet fashion, utilizing the skill and extensive experience of our attorneys.

Since 1978, Stein Sperling has provided aggressive, knowledgeable and experienced representation to defend our clients who have been charged with violating the law. We know that dealing with the criminal justice system can be intimidating. These matters can affect you and your family both immediately and for the rest of your life. If you are charged with a crime, you need lawyers who can help you understand the procedures, navigate the system and protect your rights. Stein Sperling is here to help.

Our attorneys bring their extensive experience in the area of criminal defense and their knowledge of the Federal and Maryland criminal justice systems to your defense of charges ranging from DUI/DWI to drug offenses and other serious felony and misdemeanor charges.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with our capabilities.

Criminal Law Group Capabilities Back to Top

Criminal charges are customarily brought by a criminal summons or warrant that is authorized by a judicial officer. In the case of an arrest warrant, the next most important procedure following the arrest is the establishment of pre-trial release conditions, otherwise known as setting bond. A trial or hearing date is set in the appropriate court depending on the nature and seriousness of the charge(s). Mandatory and discretionary motions are filed early in the trial process to determine important points of law and to secure rulings on evidence. The case proceeds either to a negotiated plea or a trial, which will be before either a judge or a jury. In the case of a conviction, the judge will then consider all of the information which is relevant in determining the appropriate sentence.

Effective representation is essential to ensure protection under the law...

Effective representation at every stage is critical to ensure that the accused fully understands his rights and receives all the protections available under the law. Representation is advisable any time the authorities are conducting an investigation, even if charges have not yet been filed.


Depth and Breadth of Our Services:

  • Felonies
  • Misdemeanors
  • Drug Charges
  • White Collar Crime
  • Domestic Violence-Related Offenses
  • Juvenile Offenses
  • Traffic Offenses
  • DUI/DWI
  • MVA Hearings
Process & Strategies Back to Top

Maryland Court System
Maryland's trial courts consist of the District Court and the Circuit Court for each county within the state. The District Court is where a judge presides over misdemeanor criminal and minor and serious traffic violations. There are no jury trials in the District Court.

It doesn't have to be intimidating...

While a small number of felonies can be heard in District Court, the most serious crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, burglary and white collar offenses must be heard in the Circuit Court where the right to a jury trial exists. Many less serious charges can be removed from the District to the Circuit Court when the accused elects a trial by jury. Each person convicted of an offense in District Court has an absolute right of appeal and to a new trial in Circuit Court. Cases tend to move more rapidly through the District Court process as opposed to the lengthier procedures reserved for Circuit Court matters.

In addition to providing representation in Maryland District and Circuit Courts, our attorneys can represent you in administrative hearings at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). You can lose your privilege to drive a motor vehicle for a variety of reasons, including having accumulated too many points due to convictions of certain traffic offenses. Taking a test to determine your blood alcohol level, or refusing to take a test can result in suspension of your driving privileges.

Federal Court System

While the general principles are the same, there are significant differences between State and Federal Court proceedings and the manner in which investigations are conducted by federal law enforcement authorities. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines provide for mandatory sentences in the majority of cases. Our attorneys have experience in these matters.

Alternatives to Trial

Our skill and experience is unsurpassed...


Not every criminal charge ends up in a trial. Often the client's best interest is served through negotiation with the prosecutor to obtain lesser charges and better results, which can include the diversion of a case to a community service or treatment program. When a trial is appropriate and it is in the client's best interest, Stein Sperling attorneys are unsurpassed in trial skills and ability. Our attorneys are equally skilled at identifying the cases that are likely to qualify for diversion. Many charges should not be prosecuted at all. We have the experience and the reputation to be effective in persuading the prosecutors that many matters should simply be dismissed.

Criminal Law Group ExperienceBack to Top

The Criminal Law Group is led by Paul T. Stein and David C. Driscoll, Jr., who have more than 45 years of combined experience both as prosecutors and as defense attorneys. Mr. Stein and Mr. Driscoll have both held senior positions as Assistant State. s Attorneys and between them have prosecuted virtually every type of major crime from embezzlement to murder. For more than 20 years each has maintained an active criminal defense practice. Since leaving the prosecutor. s office, together they have defended over 1,000 DWI and serious traffic charges, countless drug offenses, fraud, federal tax evasion and money laundering cases as well as violent felonies including vehicular manslaughter and murder.

Sensitivity to our clients is a top priority...

Our associates and experienced legal assistants provide additional resources for our clients who face criminal charges. Mr. Stein and Mr. Driscoll have been involved in high profile cases with extensive media coverage but have also handled numerous matters requiring great sensitivity and the need to maintain a low profile. Sensitivity and concern for our clients and their families is always a priority.

Let our experience work for you.

For more information, please call us at (301) 340-2020, email us at  info@steinsperling.com, or contact one of our Criminal Law attorneys directly:


David C. Driscoll, Jr.
Monica G. Harms
Paul T. Stein
E. Andrew Cole
Louis M. Leibowitz
Diego J. Rojas






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