Trial time part 1

Trial time part 1

   When you have to go to court do you always need to be represented by an attorney? The lawyerly answer is of course it depends. The focus of this article will be state District Court matters.

   Let’s start with the simplest kind of traffic cases like speeding or failure to obey a traffic sign. Most folks do not hire an attorney for such matters. Exceptions might occur if someone has extreme nervousness. That can happen with a language concern or if there are a large number of tickets on one’s record.

   For serious driving offenses or criminal charges, you should definitely have representation. Even if you intend to plead guilty an attorney can provide valuable advice on how to achieve the best possible outcome under the circumstances. Some people can qualify for the public defender for representation. In general terms they do a very good job. If you are uncertain whether you qualify, I’d advise you to apply. That’s the only way to know for sure.

    Let’s turn to the civil side of the legal system. If you wish to bring a civil action against someone as a plaintiff you have some choices. The Maryland District Courts handle landlord-tenant disputes and cases of lower dollar value. In the majority of these, plaintiffs will file without representation. Consultation appointments can be helpful in determining whether an attorney would add value or not. The same would go for defendants.

   The District Courts are relatively easy for unrepresented parties to navigate. There are forms for many different aspects of a case including complaints used to initiate a case. Court clerks can offer many helpful insights into practical aspects of a case. They do not offer legal advice.

   Two very specialized types of cases are often filed in Maryland District Courts are domestic violence matters and peace orders. We’ll consider these two very important matters in greater depth in another article. The bottom line with these cases is obtain at least a consultation appointment with an attorney whether petitioning for action or responding to one filed against you. The stakes in such matters can be very high with serious implications in legal matters that could be filed later.

     I’m glad to discuss all the above on the phone. Feel free to give me a call at 410-596-0920.

Michael Zimmer

Eldersburg, MD