Maryland Shield Law

Maryland Second Chance Act 

The Maryland Shield Law came into effect 10/01/2015. It allows certain criminal convictions to be ‘shielded’ from public record. If you have been convicted of a crime in Maryland and want it shielded you should speak with our Maryland criminal attorneys handling expungements and shields.

Our criminal defense attorneys have an office in Howard County and provide free case reviews. They serve the Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County and Howard County areas.

Maryland Crimes That Can Be Shielded

1. Disorderly Conduct under §10-201(c)(2) of the Criminal Law Article
2. Disturbing the Peace under §10-201(c)(4) of the Criminal Law Article;
3. Failure to Obey a Reasonable and Lawful Order under §10-201(c)(3) of the Criminal Law Article
4. Malicious Destruction of Property in the Lesser Degree under §6-301 of the Criminal Law Article
5. Trespass on Posted Property under §6-402 of the Criminal Law Article
6. Possession or Administering a Controlled Dangerous Substance under §5-601 of the Criminal Law Article
7. Possession of Administering a Noncontrolled Dangerous Substance under §5-618(a) of the Criminal Law Article
8. Use of or Possession with Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia under §5-619(c)(1) of the Criminal Law Article
9. Driving without a License under §16-101 of the Transportation Article
10. Driving While Privilege is Canceled, Suspended, Refused, or Revoked under §16-303 of the Transportation Article
11. Driving While Uninsured under §17-107 of the Transportation Article; or
12. A Prostitution Offense under §11-306(a)(1) of the Criminal Law Article if the conviction is for Prostitution and not Assignation

If you have been convicted of any of these crimes, and want them shielded, please contact our Maryland criminal defense lawyers handling shielding cases.

The Difference Between Expungements & Shielding

These 2 legal options for dealing with a criminal conviction are similar. The timeframes for each are different and expungements are dictated by how the case  culminated i.e. charges dropped,acquitted, etc. Many crimes that cannot be expunged may be able to be shielded after 3 years.

Contact Our Maryland Defense Lawyers To Discuss Your Case

To discuss your option of using the Maryland Second Chance Act please contact our Baltimore defense lawyers. They offer free case reviews.

Serving the Annapolis, Baltimore, Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Essex, Jessup, Fort Meade, Scaggsville and Westminster, MD.