Theft charges in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, are 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 St. Mary’s County. Call (888) 437-7747 for consultation. By appointment only.
Theft Defense Lawyer St Marys County, Maryland
In Maryland, theft is defined under the Criminal Law Article (CR) and consolidates various property crimes into a single statute. The severity of the charge depends on the value of the property stolen. Theft of property valued at under $100 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail. Theft between $100 and $1,500 is a misdemeanor carrying up to 6 months in jail. Theft between $1,500 and $25,000 is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Theft over $25,000 is a felony carrying up to 15 years in prison. A larceny defense lawyer St. Mary’s County can help you understand the specific charges you face. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., “Advocacy Without Borders,” brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
Last verified: April 2026 | District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County | Maryland General Assembly
For the official text of Maryland’s theft statutes, visit the Maryland Code, Criminal Law Article § 7-104 (Maryland General Assembly — official site). For court procedures and rules, see the District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County (Maryland Courts — official site).
In the District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County, prosecutors routinely offer Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) for first-time theft offenders. This disposition avoids a formal conviction on your record. We have observed that the State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County is often willing to negotiate reduced charges when the defendant has no prior record. A stealing charge defense lawyer St. Mary’s County can use these local practices to your advantage.
- Contact a theft defense lawyer immediately after arrest to preserve your rights.
- Attend your initial appearance before the District Court commissioner for bail setting.
- Request a bail review hearing within 24 hours if you are detained.
- File pre-trial motions to challenge evidence or procedural errors.
- Negotiate with the State’s Attorney for a PBJ, Stet, or dismissal.
- If eligible, file for expungement after the case is resolved.
In St. Mary’s County, theft carries penalties ranging from up to 90 days in jail for theft under $100 to up to 15 years in prison 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 | Loss of voting rights, firearm prohibition |
| Theft over $25,000 | Felony | Up to 15 years | Up to $15,000 | None | Loss of voting rights, firearm prohibition |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., “Advocacy Without Borders,” 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%. Our team includes former prosecutors who understand the local court system in St. Mary’s County. We have handled numerous theft cases and know how to negotiate favorable outcomes for our clients.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive documented results in theft and property crime cases across Maryland. Firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results with over 93% favorable outcomes. Results may vary. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.
Our location in Rockville, MD, is approximately 60 miles from the District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County, with access via Route 5 and Route 235. A theft defense lawyer St Marys County near you can provide local representation. Serving the communities of Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, Great Mills, Hollywood, and Mechanicsville (MD). 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
Phone: (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Theft Defense in St. Mary’s County
What is Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) in St. Mary’s 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 St. Mary’s County (23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650). After probation, PBJ cases can be expunged (3-year waiting period).
PBJ avoids a formal conviction on your record and is available for most misdemeanors and many felonies at District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in St. Mary’s 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 St. Mary’s County are expunged through the court where the case was heard (District Court of MD for St. Mary’s County).
Maryland allows expungement for acquittals, dismissals, Nolle Prosequi, Stet, PBJ (after 3 years), and many non-violent convictions.
What happens after a criminal arrest in St. Mary’s County, Maryland?
After arrest in St. Mary’s 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 St. Mary’s County (23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650). Felonies go to St. Mary’s County Circuit Court.
After arrest, you appear before a District Court commissioner for bail setting, followed by a bail review hearing within 24 hours if detained.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in St. Mary’s 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 St. Mary’s County can negotiate PBJ (no conviction on record) or dismissal.
An attorney can negotiate PBJ or dismissal, avoiding a formal conviction on your record.
Learn more about our Criminal Defense Lawyer Maryland services. We also serve Criminal Defense Lawyer Howard County and Criminal Defense Lawyer Calvert County. For related practice areas, see Conspiracy to Commit an Offense lawyer St Marys County and Aiding and Abetting lawyer St Marys County.
Last verified: April 2026. This page was updated to reflect current Maryland law and court procedures.