Theft in Harford County, Maryland, is prosecuted under Md. Code, Criminal Law Article, with penalties ranging from up to 90 days for theft under $100 to up to 5 years for theft between $1,500 and $25,000. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Harford County. A Theft Defense Lawyer Harford County can help you handle these charges.
Theft Defense Lawyer in Harford County, Maryland
In Maryland, theft is defined under Md. Code, Criminal Law Article, which consolidates various property crimes into a single statute. Theft involves the unauthorized taking of property or services with the intent to deprive the owner of them. The severity of the charge depends on the value of the property stolen. For theft under $100, it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine. Theft between $100 and $1,500 is a misdemeanor with up to 6 months in jail. Theft between $1,500 and $25,000 is a felony carrying up to 5 years in prison. Theft over $25,000 is a felony with up to 15 years in prison. A larceny defense lawyer Harford County can explain how these classifications apply to your case.
Last verified: April 2026 | District Court of MD for Harford County | Maryland General Assembly
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., ‘Advocacy Without Borders,’ brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
For official legal references, consult the following government sources:
In District Court of MD for Harford County, prosecutors routinely seek maximum penalties for theft charges, especially when the value exceeds $1,500. We have observed that early intervention by a stealing charge defense lawyer Harford County can lead to favorable outcomes like PBJ or dismissal.
- Contact a Theft Defense Lawyer Harford County immediately after arrest.
- Attend your initial appearance at District Court of MD for Harford County.
- Request a bail review hearing if detained within 24 hours.
- Negotiate a PBJ or dismissal with the prosecutor.
- File for expungement after the waiting period if eligible.
- Appear for trial at District Court of MD for Harford County or Harford County Circuit Court.
In Harford County, theft charges carry penalties ranging from up to 90 days for minor theft to up to 15 years for theft over $25,000.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theft under $100 | Misdemeanor | Up to 90 days | Up to $500 | None | Criminal record |
| Theft $100-$1,500 | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Criminal record |
| Theft $1,500-$25,000 | Felony | Up to 5 years | Up to $10,000 | None | Criminal record, loss of voting rights |
| Theft over $25,000 | Felony | Up to 15 years | Up to $25,000 | None | Criminal record, loss of voting rights |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience, 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, and a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders — has handled extensive criminal defense experience in Harford County.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Harford County. Firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ. Results may vary.
Our location in Rockville is approximately 50 miles from District Court of MD for Harford County, with access via I-95 and Route 24. As a Theft Defense Lawyer Harford County, we serve the communities of Bel Air, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Edgewood, Fallston, Jarrettsville, and Forest Hill. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Maryland
199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850
(888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) in Harford County, Maryland?
Yes. PBJ is a Maryland disposition where the judge places you on probation instead of entering a guilty verdict. PBJ avoids a formal conviction on your record and is available for most misdemeanors and many felonies at District Court of MD for Harford County (2 South Bond Street, Bel Air, MD 21014). After probation, PBJ cases can be expunged (3-year waiting period).
PBJ avoids a formal conviction on your record and is available at District Court of MD for Harford County.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in Harford County, Maryland?
Yes. Maryland allows expungement for acquittals, dismissals, Nolle Prosequi, Stet, PBJ (after 3 years), and many non-violent convictions under the Justice Reinvestment Act. Cases in Harford County are expunged through the court where the case was heard (District Court of MD for Harford County).
Expungement is available for many dispositions at District Court of MD for Harford County.
What happens after a criminal arrest in Harford County, Maryland?
After arrest in Harford County: (1) initial appearance before a District Court commissioner who sets bail, (2) bail review hearing within 24 hours if detained, (3) arraignment, (4) trial. Misdemeanors are tried at District Court of MD for Harford County (2 South Bond Street, Bel Air, MD 21014). Felonies go to Harford County Circuit Court.
Misdemeanors are tried at District Court of MD for Harford County; felonies go to Harford County Circuit Court.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Harford County, Maryland?
Yes. Many Maryland misdemeanors carry significant penalties — second-degree assault: up to 10 years; theft $100-$1,500: up to 6 months. An attorney at District Court of MD for Harford County can negotiate PBJ (no conviction on record) or dismissal.
An attorney can negotiate PBJ or dismissal at District Court of MD for Harford County.
How does a Maryland lawyer defend against credit card theft charges?
Defense strategies for credit card theft in Maryland may include challenging evidence, examining procedural compliance, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting mitigating factors. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts under Md. Code, Criminal Law Article to build the strongest possible defense.
How does a Maryland lawyer defend against felony theft charges?
Defense strategies for felony theft in Maryland may include challenging evidence, examining procedural compliance, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting mitigating factors. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts under Md. Code, Criminal Law Article to build the strongest possible defense.
For more information, visit our Criminal Defense Lawyer Maryland hub page. You may also find our Criminal Defense Lawyer Howard County and Criminal Defense Lawyer Montgomery County pages useful. For related practice areas, see Conspiracy to Commit an Offense lawyer Harford County and Aiding and Abetting lawyer Harford County.
Last updated: 2026-04-30