Manslaughter Defense Attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, Specializing in Vehicular Manslaughter Defense in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, and Throughout Maryland
Facing homicide charges in Maryland? Our Maryland homicide lawyers can help.
Maybe you're caught up in a situation that went terribly wrong, or you've been wrongly accused. Now you're facing the most serious charges in the criminal justice system. The stakes couldn't be higher:
- You could face life in prison.
- Your entire future hangs in the balance.
- Your family's well-being is at risk.
That's where Maronick Law LLC steps in. Our team has handled the most serious criminal cases in Maryland courts, fighting vigorously to protect our clients' rights and freedom.
Take the first step to protect yourself and contact us now for a free discussion about your situation.
What is Homicide in Maryland?
In Maryland, homicide covers several different crimes:
Murder
Murder means killing someone on purpose with intent. Maryland law categorizes murder into two degrees:
- First-degree murder: First-degree murder occurs when someone plans the killing ahead of time.
- Second-degree murder: Second-degree murder happens when someone means to kill or badly hurt someone, even if they didn't plan it beforehand.
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary manslaughter happens when someone kills another person in a burst of strong emotion after being provoked. The key distinction from murder is that the killing happens in a state of emotional disturbance that would cause a reasonable person to act impulsively.
For example, if you walk in on your spouse cheating and immediately react with violence in your emotional state, this might be charged as voluntary manslaughter instead of murder.
Involuntary Manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughter occurs when someone causes another person's death by accident through careless or reckless behavior.
Vehicular manslaughter is a common example of involuntary manslaughter. When a driver speeds through a neighborhood, loses control, hits and kills someone walking on the sidewalk, it’s considered vehicular manslaughter.
Penalties for Committing Homicide Offenses in Maryland
The punishments for homicide in Maryland can change your life forever:
Murder Punishments
First-degree murder can lead to life in prison with no chance of ever getting out. Second-degree murder can mean up to 30 years in prison.
Voluntary Manslaughter Punishments
Voluntary manslaughter usually brings up to 10 years in prison.
Involuntary Manslaughter Punishments
Vehicular manslaughter can result in up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines up to $5,000.
If you're facing homicide charges in Maryland, your future and freedom are at stake. Discuss your case with our manslaughter defense attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD.
How Our Maryland Homicide Lawyers Can Defend You Against Homicide Charges
Our Maryland homicide lawyers have successfully defended clients against many homicide charges, from vehicular manslaughter to first-degree murder.
We understand that each case presents unique circumstances, and we develop customized defense strategies tailored to your specific situation. For example, our strategy to defend vehicular homicide charges would be different than murder charges.
Vehicular Homicide
With vehicular homicide charges, we look closely at all the facts. Was there solid proof you were drunk or high? Did the police follow all the proper steps? Did your actions actually cause the death? These questions are key to building your defense.
Challenging Blood Tests
Blood alcohol content (BAC) testing is often critical evidence in vehicular homicide cases. We scrutinize whether:
- Blood was drawn by qualified medical personnel following proper protocols
- Proper chain of custody was maintained for all samples
- All laboratory procedures met regulatory standards
If any of these things weren't done right, we fight hard to get the blood test evidence thrown out.
Challenging Causation
Prosecutors must prove that your actions directly caused the person's death. We can fight this by showing other factors that might have caused or contributed to the tragedy:
- Bad road conditions that would have caused problems for any driver
- Car problems or mechanical failures you couldn't control
- Actions of other drivers that were the main cause
- Medical evidence showing the victim might have died from other causes not related to the crash
Murder
When defending against murder charges, we conduct a comprehensive investigation to identify all viable defense approaches, including:
Self-Defense Claims
In Maryland, self-defense requires proving that you reasonably believed you were in immediate danger of serious harm or death. Our manslaughter defense attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD, gather evidence such as:
- Witness statements confirming threats or aggressive actions by the deceased
- Medical documentation of injuries you sustained during the incident
- Video or audio recordings that capture the interaction
Diminished Capacity
Diminished capacity focuses on showing you couldn't think clearly enough to form the intent needed for murder due to:
- Mental condition
- Extreme emotional distress
- Other factors that affected your thinking
When you’re facing homicide charges in Maryland, time is critical. Evidence needs to be preserved, and legal strategy needs to be developed immediately. Discuss your case with our Maryland homicide lawyers.
Why Trust Maronick Law LLC for Your Homicide Case in Maryland
In homicide cases, your choice of legal representation can mean the difference between freedom and spending decades behind bars. At Maronick Law LLC, we bring over 80 years of collective experience defending against homicide charges.
What truly sets Maronick Law LLC apart is our comprehensive understanding of both sides of the criminal justice system. Before founding our firm, our founder, Thomas J. Maronick Jr., served as a police officer, providing us with invaluable insight into how homicide investigations unfold from the inside. This distinct perspective allows us to:
- Identify procedural errors others might miss
- Anticipate prosecution strategies before they develop
- Challenge evidence collection methods
A Record of Success in High-Stakes Homicide Cases
Our approach to homicide defense has given remarkable results for our clients, including:
- Dismissed charges in cases initially deemed open and shut by prosecutors
- Not-guilty verdicts in jury trials
- Reduced charges from first-degree murder to lesser offenses with significantly lighter sentences
- Successfully overturned wrongful convictions
Experience in Criminal Defense
The legal community consistently acknowledges our advocacy:
- Super Lawyer 2025 designation
- Superb Avvo rating reflecting peer and client recognition
- Membership in Top 100 National Trial Lawyers
Our Commitment to You
We recognize that facing homicide charges is likely the most challenging experience of your life. Our entire team commits to:
- Providing transparent communication throughout your case
- Fighting relentlessly for your rights at every stage of the legal process
- Helping you navigate this difficult chapter with support
Don't face these serious charges alone. Our team has the knowledge, resources, and determination to fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Discuss your situation with our manslaughter defense attorneys in Glen Burnie, MD.
Contact Our Maryland Homicide Lawyers at Maronick Law LLC Today for Free Case Evaluation
We understand the crushing pressure you're under. For help from homicide lawyers in Maryland, contact Maronick Law LLC online or call 443-551-2747 today.