Criminal Defense Attorney in Prince George’s County

Defending Clients in Maryland & D.C. Courts Since 1976

Being arrested or learning you’re under investigation in Prince George’s County can upend your life in a single day. You may be worried about jail, your job, and what this means for your future. What you need right now isn’t more uncertainty. You need steady, informed guidance.

At Brennan McKenna & Lawlor, Chtd., we represent people facing criminal charges across Maryland, including cases that move through the courts in this county. Since 1976, our attorneys have focused on protecting clients’ rights and guiding them through every stage of the criminal process. From the first call through resolution, we work to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.

Our team brings many decades of courtroom experience in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and we’ve built a reputation for standing firm in difficult cases. If you or someone you care about has been charged, contact us to learn what the charges mean and what can happen next.

Call us at (240) 219-8980 or schedule your consultation online today.

Why Clients Choose Our Defense Team

When your liberty and record are on the line, your attorney’s background matters. Clients come to us because they want counsel that has been tested in serious cases, not just someone who handles criminal matters on the side. They face complex situations and need a team with the judgment to match.

Credentials & Peer Recognition

Our firm has represented people in criminal matters since 1976. William Brennan has been licensed in Maryland since 1976 and in Washington, D.C. since 1977. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell (a peer-review rating) and was named a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2000, a distinction extended to fewer than one percent of trial lawyers in each jurisdiction. He has also been listed in the 2006 edition of Best Lawyers in America, and Washingtonian magazine identified him among the top 75 lawyers in Washington.

All three named attorneys at our firm have been selected for Super Lawyers. William Brennan has been listed from 2007 through 2024. John McKenna has been included from 2012 to 2018 and from 2020 to 2024. Michael Lawlor has been recognized from 2017 through 2024.

Professional Involvement

Our attorneys are active in organizations that shape criminal defense practice, including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys’ Association, where William Brennan has served on the Board of Directors since 1999. That involvement keeps us engaged with developments in criminal law and reflects a genuine commitment to advocating for people facing charges.

Criminal Cases We Handle in Prince George’s County

Every case is different, and the charges you face shape the strategy we build with you. We handle a wide range of criminal matters in Maryland courts, both felonies and misdemeanors, at various stages, from active investigations to post-indictment proceedings.

We understand how charges can affect employment, professional licenses, immigration status, and family life, and we keep those consequences in mind when planning your defense. For Prince George’s County residents working in federal government or holding security clearances, even a charge that hasn’t resulted in a conviction can carry immediate consequences worth addressing early.

Examples of criminal cases we handle include:

• DUI and serious traffic offenses, including allegations involving bodily injury or repeat accusations
• Drug charges involving possession, distribution, manufacturing, or conspiracy
• Assault, domestic incidents, and other alleged violent offenses
• Theft, burglary, robbery, and property crimes
• Fraud, embezzlement, and other white-collar matters
• Sex offense allegations and related investigations
• Probation violations and post-conviction issues

Some matters begin with an investigation before charges are filed. Others arrive as formal charges in the District Court or Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. In either situation, we examine the details closely, including how evidence was obtained and how the law applies to your circumstances.

What to Do After an Arrest in Prince George’s County

The hours after an arrest often feel chaotic. You may be unsure whether to talk to police, appear in court alone, or call a lawyer. Your decisions at this stage can affect how your case unfolds.

After arrest, you’ll typically appear before a commissioner who determines bail and release conditions. Contacting a defense attorney before or immediately after that appearance gives us the opportunity to advocate for your release and begin building your defense from the start. The sooner we’re involved, the better positioned we are to protect your rights at each stage.

You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. You aren’t required to answer questions about the alleged incident without an attorney present. Statements made without legal advice are difficult to address later in the process, and details shared on social media can give prosecutors additional evidence to use against you. Avoid discussing your case online or with anyone other than your attorney.

Practical steps to protect yourself include:

• Limit your statements about the incident. Don’t discuss details with police, investigators, or others until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
• Keep all paperwork. Save charging documents, release conditions, and any notices for hearings in the District Court for Prince George’s County or the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County.
• Follow release conditions. No-contact orders, reporting requirements, and travel restrictions carry legal consequences if violated, and violations can complicate your underlying case.
• Avoid contacting witnesses. Reaching out to alleged victims or potential witnesses can create complications or be misinterpreted.
• Speak with a defense lawyer promptly. Early legal advice can shape how you handle police contact, bond hearings, and early court dates.

We regularly help clients prepare for initial appearances and bond reviews in this county. When you contact us, we review what has already happened and advise you on next steps, including what to expect in court and what information we’ll need from you.

How We Approach Your Defense

A strong defense starts with listening carefully to your account and examining the details of the state’s case. We work to understand not only the charges but also what matters most to you, whether that’s avoiding incarceration, protecting a career, or limiting long-term consequences.

Building Your Defense Strategy

Our process typically begins with a detailed consultation where we review the charges, available documents, and your questions. We then gather additional information by obtaining discovery, examining police reports, and identifying constitutional or procedural issues that need to be raised, including motions to suppress evidence obtained in violation of your rights. Our goal is to find the strengths and weaknesses in the prosecution’s position and identify options that align with your priorities.

We discuss every realistic path: negotiations, diversion opportunities where available, motions practice, and trial. Some cases are better resolved through a carefully considered agreement. Others call for contested hearings or a trial. We explain the risks and benefits of each so you can make decisions with a clear picture of what may happen in court.

Keeping You Informed

Communication is central to how we work. We keep you informed as your case moves through each stage, from preliminary hearings to pretrial conferences and, if necessary, trial in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. Our attorneys draw on many years of criminal practice in Maryland and Washington, D.C., when advising on strategy, and we’re prepared to stand in court to advocate for your position.

Prince George’s County Courts: What to Expect

Which court handles your case usually depends on the type of charge and how the state elects to proceed. We routinely appear in both main trial courts that serve this county.

The District Court of Maryland has two locations in Prince George’s County: Upper Marlboro and Hyattsville. It handles misdemeanors and certain felony matters at the charging stage, but doesn’t conduct jury trials. The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, located in Upper Marlboro as part of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Maryland, handles felony trials, jury trials, and appeals from District Court. All felony charges are heard at the Circuit Court level with few exceptions. Lesser offenses remain in District Court unless a jury trial is requested or an appeal is taken.

We help clients prepare for each appearance by explaining what to expect at every stage, from initial appearance through later proceedings. For clients with related matters in Washington, D.C., we’re licensed in both jurisdictions and understand how overlapping cases affect strategy and timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do Right After an Arrest?

Exercise your right to remain silent and ask to speak with a lawyer. Don’t discuss details of the incident with police or anyone else. Keep all paperwork you receive, follow your release conditions, and contact our firm so we can review your situation and advise you on next steps.

How Soon Can Your Attorneys Start Helping Me?

We can usually begin advising you as soon as you contact us and we discuss the basics of your case. Early involvement allows us to help you prepare for initial hearings, respond to police or prosecutor contact, and start gathering information that may be important to your defense.

Will I Have to Appear in Court in Person?

In most criminal cases, you’ll need to appear in person for certain hearings in the District Court or Circuit Court. Which hearings require your presence depends on the charges and the court’s procedures. We’ll explain which dates you must attend and what to expect at each appearance.

How Will I Know What Is Happening With My Case?

We keep you informed at each stage. We review new developments with you, explain upcoming court dates, and discuss any offers or motions. We encourage questions and make sure you understand the status of your matter and the choices in front of you.

Can a Lawyer Help Me Avoid a Conviction?

An attorney can often identify defenses, negotiation options, or alternative resolutions you may not see on your own. Whether a conviction can be avoided depends on the facts, the evidence, and the applicable law. We review those factors with you and work toward a favorable available outcome.

Can a Criminal Charge Affect My Government Job or Security Clearance?

Yes. For federal employees and contractors in Prince George’s County, a criminal charge, not only a conviction, can trigger a security clearance review or require disclosure to an employer or contracting agency. Certain charges must be self-reported under federal adjudicative guidelines, and an unreported charge can itself become grounds for clearance revocation. If you hold a clearance or work in a federal role, contacting a defense attorney promptly gives you the opportunity to understand your reporting obligations and protect your position before matters escalate.

Talk with Our Criminal Defense Team

If you’re facing charges or an investigation in Prince George’s County or elsewhere in Maryland, you don’t have to face the process alone. Our attorneys at Brennan McKenna & Lawlor, Chtd. bring decades of criminal defense experience in Maryland and Washington, D.C., along with peer recognition that reflects experience in serious cases.

We take the time to review your case, answer your questions, and explain your options in plain terms. When you contact us, you’ll speak directly with our team about your concerns and learn how we work to protect clients from the first call through resolution.

Facing criminal charges in Prince George’s County? Call (240) 219-8980 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.