Baltimore Criminal Defense Law Firm If you face criminal charges, an experienced and respected defense lawyer can help protect your rights, evaluate possible defenses, negotiate preferential plea bargains and use every facet of the law in your defense. At the Law Offices of Charles L. Waechter, Attorney at Law, I have more than 30 years of experience defending people accused of all types of criminal charges, ranging from DWI and DUI to sex offenses and murder. I'm known as an aggressive and hard-hitting defense lawyer who will fight hard to keep your record as clean as possible and to minimize the effect of an arrest on your life. With offices in Baltimore, Annapolis, Ocean City and Bel Air, I offer four convenient locations for people who are charged with crimes in Maryland. No matter what kind of charges you face, I offer free initial consultation by phone or in one of my offices. If you are incarcerated, I can also meet with you in jail. A Serious Lawyer for Serious Charges I have the experience and knowledge to defend you against the most serious criminal charges such as Federal and State internet child pornography, sex offenses, DUI and DWI, drug offenses, solicitation and prostitution, assault and battery, and general traffic tickets, which can have a devastating effect on your life. I will review the documents charging you with a crime, investigate the circumstances of your arrest and determine if any evidence should be suppressed. For example, if the police violated your Fourth Amendment constitutional rights against unreasonable search and seizure, I will seek to have the charges dismissed. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. I represented a Defendant charged with Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Harford County, Maryland. The allegations involved sexual contact by a grandfather on his grand-daughter. After four days of trial in the Circuit Court for Harford County, the Defendant was found not guilty on the sexual abuse charges. I also represented a Defendant in Baltimore County this year, who was charged with distribution of child pornography, and the Court agreed with me that probation was the appropriate sentence and not active incarceration, which was sought by the State's Attorney. How did you build a successful practice? I built a successful criminal defense practice based upon hard work and surrounding myself with an extremely competent staff, including lawyers and paralegals. What should clients look for in a lawyer? I have always suggested that clients should look for a well experienced criminal defense lawyer who is competent and compassionate. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? It is absolutely important that a lawyer be completely familiar with the prosecutor assigned to his or her case and, more importantly, to know how and individual judge will rule on a particular Defendant's case. Building relationships with both prosecutors and judges certainly gives more credibility to the lawyer which will ultimately benefit his or her client. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? During a free phone consultation, I generally review the client's charges which I am able to obtain from the Maryland Judiciary Case Search website. I review those charges with the client and ask that the client provide me with a copy of the original statement of charges. I also ask that the potential client provide me with his prior criminal history or serious traffic history. Thereafter, I generally request that the client make an appointment to meet with me in person to discuss the matter in detail. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? During a free phone consultation, I generally review the client's charges which I am able to obtain from the Maryland Judiciary Case Search website. I review those charges with the client and ask that the client provide me with a copy of the original statement of charges. I also ask that the potential client provide me with his prior criminal history or serious traffic history. Thereafter, I generally request that the client make an appointment to meet with me in person to discuss the matter in detail. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? I have been a criminal defense attorney for over 30 years, handling cases in every jurisdiction in Maryland, as well as in the Federal District Court. Over those 30 years, I have built tremendous professional relationships with prosecutors and judges in all jurisdictions. While I represent clients charged in all criminal matters, my main focus is representing clients charged in sex offense matters and internet child pornography matters. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? The most rewarding aspect of my job is the ability to help those individuals charged with any criminal offense. It is absolutely fulfilling when any client shows their appreciation for the hard work and interest that I take in each of their cases. What are your other interests in addition to law? In addition to practicing law, I enjoy skiing, exercising at the gym, and spending as much time as possible with my wife and children. Are you involved in your community? I am have been a Mason and active member of S.Gompers-B Franklin Lodge No. 45 and also a member of the Scottish Rite and Boomie Temple for over ten years. I have been an active member with the Elks Lodge-Towson for over fifteen. All of these organizations are charity organizations assisting members of our community.