- Adoption
- Child Abuse
- Criminal DefenseRaymond F. Anthracite is a Maryland lawyer focused exclusively on criminal defense and related areas of the law. Mr. Anthracite has kept hundreds of clients out of jail in Maryland over the course of his career, successfully defending clients facing everything from multiple decades in jail to driver’s license problems, and everything in between. A graduate of the prestigious University of Virginia School of Law, Mr. Anthracite has a reputation for aggressively defending his clients and using his broad knowledge of case law in order to win at trial or to have the charges dropped beforehand.
- DUI/DWIIn Maryland, all drunk driving charges are serious. DUI and DWI are both jailable offenses, and they can both lead to your license being suspended or revoked, even for a first offense. I have helped many people successfully navigate these charges without going to jail or losing their license, and I can also help you. You don’t have to plead guilty. I have beaten field sobriety tests, I have caused MVA cases to be thrown out, and I have made judges disbelieve the testimony of police officers. I know the law inside and out and I know the strategies that can make your case a winner. Call me now at (301) 556-8709 so that we can start making your case a success.
- Traffic ViolationsConduct involving the use of a motor vehicle, other than discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle, is specifically excluded from the definition of Reckless Endangerment. There is a separate prepayable traffic offense of reckless driving, which cannot result in jail time and should not be confused with reckless endangerment.
- Sex CrimesThe crime of stalking in Maryland requires a persistent pattern of conduct that includes approaching or pursuing another where the person intends to cause or knows or reasonably should have known that the conduct would cause serious emotional distress to another person, or in such a way as to put them in reasonable fear of serious injury, assault, rape or sexual offense, false imprisonment, or death. Each of these terms has a detailed legal definition that I can use to defend you and protect your reputation.
- FraudIf you are accused of committing any form of credit card fraud in Maryland, you may also be charged with any number of crimes that cover the same behavior.
- RobberyRobbery in Maryland is the crime of theft by force, violence, or placing in fear of violence. Robbery is much more serious than a plain theft. It is a crime of violence, and has much higher maximum penalties.
- BurglaryA good lawyer can greatly increase your chances of success. I have years of experience getting charges dropped and successfully keeping Maryland residents out of jail on burglary charges and in general. If you are charged with burglary, contact me immediately at (301) 556‑8709.
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsWhen a car is stolen or taken or used without authorization in Maryland, it is often charged as unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor with a minimum sentence of 6 months and $50, and not more than 4 years and $100. The minimum sentence only applies for a conviction, and does not include probation before judgment. Like other theft offenses, part of the penalty is that the property must be returned, or if that is not possible, the owner must be compensated for the value of the car.
- Drug CrimesI have helped many people beat their drug charges outright, and I can help you too. It’s always stressful to be charged with possession or distribution of illegal drugs or paraphernalia, but it’s a lot less stressful when you have someone on your side with experience winning these cases. While drug charges can be serious and lead to a jail sentence, an effective defense can result in an acquittal or a deal that keeps you out of jail and preserves your reputation. You need an effective attorney to assert your rights and tell your side of the story.
- AssaultWith my effective legal assistance, Maryland assault charges can often be resolved in a way that preserves your freedom and your good name. There are many defenses available, and alternatives to conviction can frequently be negotiated, including getting the charges dropped entirely. I also can often expose lies or inconsistencies in the accuser’s testimony, which I can use to convince a prosecutor to drop the charges, or to help a judge or jury reach a favorable verdict.
- Juvenile Crimes
- Probation ViolationThere is a separate category of penalties for probation violations of a more minor nature, called a “technical violation”, that are presumed to have a lower maximum penalty. A technical violation in the context of probation, parole, or mandatory supervision is anything that does not involve a violation of a criminal prohibition other than a minor traffic offense, a violation of a no contact or stay away order, an arrest or summons issued by a commissioner on charges requested by a law enforcement officer, or absconding. Absconding means that you willfully evaded supervision. Missing a single appointment is not absconding, but missing several appointments might be.
- Identity TheftMany credit card crimes are also charged as theft or identity theft. Under Maryland’s identity theft statute, a credit card number qualifies as personal identifying information, and the identity theft statute is often read by court commissioners to cover the behavior of people who merely use another person’s credit card, even if they do not explicitly claim to be the person who is named on the credit card.
- ArsonSecond degree burglary is the breaking and entering of a storehouse of another person, with the intent to commit a theft, a crime of violence, or an arson. Maryland’s definition of a storehouse is very broad. Buildings, structures, piers, railroad cars, trailers, boats, and aircraft all fall within Maryland’s definition of a storehouse. Just about anything that is not a dwelling may be considered to be a storehouse, even a bicycle shed. Second degree burglary is a felony punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment, or up to 20 years imprisonment if the breaking and entering was committed with the intent to steal, take, or carry away a firearm.
- ShopliftingMaryland has a variety of theft crimes, which share the same penalty structure. The maximum sentence varies with the value of the property involved, but can also depend on the number of prior convictions for theft crimes.
- Restraining OrderYou may have received a temporary peace order or a temporary protective order from the local police. This means that someone filed for a restraining order against you, and a temporary peace order or temporary protective order was issued without hearing your side of the case. This can cause great injustice in between the time that the temporary peace order or temporary protective order is granted, and the final hearing. As your lawyer, I can both modify the terms of the temporary order, and defend you at the final peace order hearing so that no order is entered.
- ForgeryForgery of private documents is a serious crime in Maryland. It is a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and a maximum fine of $1000. It is a serious charge that requires a lawyer. I can handle these serious charges for you, protecting your freedom and employment. Call me at (301) 556‑8709, because your reputation is important.
- Prostitution
- Property DamageDrivers in Maryland involved in an accident are required to return to and remain at the scene until they exchange information, even if there is only property damage. If someone is injured, Maryland requires the driver to stop and render aid, and, if it appears to be necessary, arrange for the transportation of the person to a hospital so that they can receive medical treatment. If you do not stop and remain at the scene, or if the officer is dissatisfied with the way you did it, you may be charged
- Power of AttorneyA private document for the purpose of Maryland’s counterfeiting or forgery of private documents statute is defined as: a bond, check, deed, or draft, an endorsement or assignment of a bond, draft, check, or promissory note, an entry in an account book or ledger, a letter of credit, a negotiable instrument, a power of attorney, a promissory note, a release or discharge for money or property, a title to a motor vehicle, a waiver or release of a mechanic’s lein, or a will or codicil.