Treason lawyer Charles County, MD

Federal treason is among the most serious charges in the United States criminal code. Under 18 U.S.C. § 2381, the offense is defined as levying war against the United States or adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort. A conviction requires the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act or a confession in open court. The maximum penalty is death, and the federal government prosecutes these significant cases in U.S. District Court. For residents of Charles County—including La Plata, Waldorf, Indian Head, White Plains, Bryans Road, and Hughesville—the relevant federal court is the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, which sits in Baltimore and Greenbelt. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Treason under 18 U.S.C. § 2381 carries a maximum penalty of death, as well as imprisonment not less than five years and a fine and disqualification from holding any U.S. Office.

Source: 18 U.S.C. § 2381. 18 U.S.C. § 2381 via Legal Information Institute

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA, MD, DC, NJ, NY.

Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor and the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., practices federal criminal defense throughout Maryland alongside the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys. The firm’s Maryland location in Rockville serves clients across Charles County and all 24 Maryland counties. Federal investigations by agencies such as the FBI or the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland move quickly, and early engagement with an experienced federal defense lawyer can substantively affect the direction of a case. To schedule a consultation with a Charles County treason defense lawyer, reach our location at (888) 437-7747.

On This Page

What Treason Charges Mean in Charles County, Maryland

Treason is the only crime defined in the U.S. Constitution, and the federal statute at 18 U.S.C. § 2381 codifies its elements. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused levied war against the United States or adhered to enemies of the United States, providing them aid and comfort. The constitutional two‑witness requirement is a unique evidentiary standard that makes these cases especially complex. Because the charge is so rare, any federal treason prosecution attracts intense scrutiny of the government’s evidence and procedure.

In Charles County and across Maryland, federal treason cases proceed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The courthouse in Greenbelt—closest to Southern Maryland—or the Baltimore courthouse handles all federal felony matters. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes the case, drawing on resources from the FBI, the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, and other federal agencies. There is no parole in the federal system, and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, though advisory after United States v. Booker, exert strong influence on any eventual sentence. A person facing a federal treason investigation needs counsel familiar with federal criminal procedure, grand jury practice, pretrial detention standards, and the stringent rules of evidence that control national‑security prosecutions.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Federal Criminal Defense Cases

When a potential federal charge involves treason, the stakes are at the highest level. Mr. Sris, who began his career as a prosecutor, understands how federal authorities build cases. That insight, combined with decades of defense practice, allows the firm to examine every aspect of the government’s case—the legality of search and surveillance warrants, the reliability of witness statements, the chain of custody of digital and physical evidence, and the constitutional dimensions of the investigation itself.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys add substantial courtroom experience, including former state‑court prosecutors and a former law‑enforcement officer who now work on the defense side. The team reviews the grand‑jury record, explores pretrial motions that may limit or exclude evidence, and engages with the U.S. Attorney’s Office early to assess the posture of the case. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience. Results may vary. A federal treason case requires a defense that is thorough, precise, and prepared for every procedural stage from indictment through potential trial and sentencing.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997. He is a former prosecutor whose experience includes criminal trial work. He is admitted to the bars of Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York—a five‑jurisdiction practice that allows the firm to represent clients in federal courts throughout the Mid‑Atlantic. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring distinct strengths to federal criminal defense. Among them are former state‑court prosecutors and a former Virginia State Trooper—professionals who have spent significant portions of their careers in courtrooms and law‑enforcement settings before moving to the defense side. Every Of Counsel attorney contracts directly with the firm and collaborates with Mr. Sris on case strategy, motion practice, and trial preparation. The firm’s Rockville location serves Charles County and all other Maryland counties, with consultations available by appointment. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience. Results may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the federal crime of treason under 18 U.S.C. § 2381?

Treason under 18 U.S.C. § 2381 involves levying war against the United States or adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort, and a conviction requires the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act or a confession in open court. The statute prescribes a maximum penalty of death and a minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, along with a fine and disqualification from holding any U.S. Office. The two‑witness requirement, drawn directly from Article III of the Constitution, sets a uniquely high evidentiary bar. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland prosecutes these cases in the U.S. District Court sitting in Greenbelt or Baltimore.

How do federal treason charges differ from state criminal charges in Maryland?

Federal treason charges are prosecuted in U.S. District Court by the U.S. Attorney, not by a state’s attorney, and they carry federal sentencing guidelines with no parole, unlike many state charges. In Maryland, state‑level criminal cases proceed in the District Court or Circuit Court. Federal cases are governed by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and juries are drawn from the entire federal district, not just Charles County. Federal investigators from the FBI and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division often conduct the investigation. The absence of parole in the federal system means any term of imprisonment is served almost in full, minus limited good‑time credit.

What should I do if I am under investigation for a federal offense in Charles County?

If you are under investigation for a federal offense, you should contact an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer immediately and refrain from speaking to any law‑enforcement agent without counsel present. Do not discuss the matter with anyone other than your attorney, and preserve any documents or records that may be relevant. Federal investigations can precede an indictment by months, and actions taken during the investigation phase can significantly affect the eventual charges. An attorney can communicate with federal agents on your behalf, work to understand the scope of the investigation, and advise on whether a voluntary interview or a proffer is appropriate.

Do I need a lawyer if I am facing federal charges?

Yes, because federal prosecutions have a conviction rate above ninety percent, and the procedural rules, sentencing guidelines, and mandatory minimums are far more complex than in state court. A federal defense lawyer can challenge the indictment, file suppression motions, negotiate plea agreements under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and litigate issues such as the safety‑valve exception or substantial‑assistance departures. Representing oneself in federal court is extremely risky. Even before an indictment, an experienced attorney can engage with the prosecutor or the grand jury to try to narrow the scope of the investigation.

What is the role of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in a treason case?

The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland is the federal trial court where a treason indictment is returned and where all pretrial proceedings, plea hearings, and any trial would take place. The court has two divisions that hear criminal cases: the Baltimore division at 101 West Lombard Street and the Greenbelt division at 6500 Cherrywood Lane. A federal magistrate judge handles initial appearances, detention hearings, and preliminary matters. A U.S. District Judge presides over motions, trial, and sentencing. The jury pool is drawn from the entire federal district, which includes Charles County and all other Maryland counties.

How do I find a treason defense lawyer in Charles County, MD?

You can reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.—a firm with a Maryland location and attorneys admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland—by calling (888) 437‑7747. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle federal criminal defense matters across Charles County, including La Plata, Waldorf, and Indian Head. The firm’s Rockville location serves all of Maryland, and consultations are available by appointment. For guidance on your specific situation, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747.

Related Federal Criminal Defense Pages in Maryland

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder

Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York

Practicing since 1997

Last reviewed: July 2026

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Results may vary.

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.