What Are My Rights If I Am Accused Of A Crime In Baltimore?
Each and every criminal defense attorney is too well aware that, perhaps like diamonds, a criminal conviction can be forever. What Are My Rights If I Am Accused Of A Crime In Baltimore? Getting a solid answer to that question, and a firm understanding of the protections, rights and defenses is a vital first step as you prepare to take on the State of Maryland.
If you are arrested in Baltimore you have a right to bail.
What are your rights if accused of a crime In Baltimore City MD in 2024? Certainly, every individual has a right to bail unless a judge determines that no set of conditions could safely safeguard the community. This fundamental right ensures that individuals accused of crimes have an opportunity to remain free while awaiting trial, provided that public safety is not compromised. It reflects the balance between protecting society and preserving the rights of the accused.
If you are tried in Baltimore, your trial starts in 180 days
For cases in Maryland’s circuit courts, defendants are entitled to have their trial within 180 days of their first court appearance or their attorney’s first appearance, whichever occurs first. This rule, known as the “Hicks Rule,” is designed to prevent undue delays in the justice process, ensuring that defendants do not languish indefinitely in legal limbo. These legal protections underscore the fairness of the criminal justice system and safeguard the rights of accused individuals.
US Constitutional Protections
Importantly, whether a person is ultimately accused of a crime or not, they enjoy the full range of constitutional protections guaranteed under the United States Constitution. The start of the answer to “What Are My Rights If I Am Accused Of A Crime In Baltimore?” is the same as what are my rights if arrested anywhere in the US.
The Fourth Amendment protects all individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures, emphasizing the principle that government action must respect personal privacy and property. Without proper warrants or legal justification, any evidence obtained in violation of this amendment can be excluded from trial.
The Fifth Amendment safeguards against self-incrimination, ensuring that individuals cannot be forced to testify against themselves. This protection upholds the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of the legal system.
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel, ensuring that every defendant has access to a qualified attorney to mount an effective defense.
Baltimore criminal defense attorney Eric T. Kirk is focused on securing these rights for his clients. With years of experience in defending individuals facing criminal charges, Kirk understands the critical challenges to unconstitutional actions. If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime in Baltimore, it is essential to have a skilled attorney like Eric T. Kirk with you. Combining an understanding of constitutional protections with a core commitment to his clients, Kirk provides effective legal representation to those in need.
Attorney Eric T. Kirk will tell you.
You have a right to bail, a speedy trial, and due process, among others.
TRANSCRIPT
Certainly under Maryland law, you have a right to bail unless a judge makes a determination that there are no set of conditions that would safely safeguard the community. You’re also entitled to have a trial -when it is a circuit court case within 180 days of your first appearance in court, or your attorney’s first appearance, whichever first occurs. Those are rights that all accused individuals enjoy, but certainly anybody, whether they’ve been accused of a crime or not, enjoys their constitutional protections: their fourth amendment right to due process, and to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures; their fifth amendment rights against self-incrimination, and their sixth amendment right to counsel.
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