Being arrested in Prince George’s County, Maryland is a stressful and overwhelming experience. Whether you were pulled over during a traffic stop that escalated, taken into custody on an outstanding warrant, or arrested after a domestic dispute, the decisions you make in the hours and days following your arrest can have a lasting impact on the outcome of your case.
At SoMD Criminal Defense, we represent people who have been arrested throughout Prince George’s County, from Hyattsville and Upper Marlboro to Oxon Hill, Bowie, Greenbelt, and College Park. Our Prince George’s County criminal defense lawyers are ready to step in immediately to protect your rights. This guide explains what happens after a PG County arrest and what steps you should take right away.
What Happens Immediately After an Arrest in Prince George’s County
After you are arrested in Prince George’s County, you will typically be transported to the PG County Department of Corrections in Upper Marlboro for booking. During booking, you will be fingerprinted, photographed, and processed into the system. You will then be brought before a District Court commissioner for an initial appearance, which must occur within 24 hours of your arrest.
At the initial appearance, the commissioner will inform you of the charges against you and make a determination about your release. The commissioner may release you on your own recognizance, set bail, or in cases involving serious offenses, hold you without bail. If bail is set at an amount you cannot afford, or if the commissioner denies bail entirely, you have the right to request a bail review hearing before a District Court judge.
Your Rights During and After Arrest
You have constitutional rights that apply from the moment you are placed under arrest. The two most important rights to remember are your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.
Police officers are required to read you your Miranda rights before conducting a custodial interrogation. However, you should invoke these rights immediately — do not wait for officers to read them to you. Clearly and politely tell law enforcement that you wish to remain silent and that you want to speak with a lawyer before answering any questions.
Do not answer questions about the alleged offense, even if you believe you have nothing to hide. Do not consent to searches of your phone, your vehicle, or your home. Be respectful and cooperative with officers, but understand that anything you say — even something you think is harmless or exculpatory — can and will be used against you in court.
The Prince George’s County Court Process
Criminal cases in Prince George’s County are heard at two main courthouse locations. The District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County sits in Hyattsville and Upper Marlboro, handling misdemeanors, traffic offenses, preliminary hearings, and DUI cases. The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County is located in Upper Marlboro and handles felony trials, jury trials, and appeals from District Court.
After your initial appearance before the commissioner, your case will follow a process that typically includes an arraignment, pretrial conferences, motions hearings, and ultimately a plea or trial. At each stage, having an experienced attorney who understands the PG County courts — the judges, the prosecutors, and the local procedures — provides a meaningful advantage. Learn more about what to expect at your first court date in Maryland.
Bail and Pretrial Release in Prince George’s County
The bail determination at your initial appearance is one of the most important moments following an arrest. In Prince George’s County, a commissioner will evaluate several factors when deciding whether to release you, including the nature and severity of the charges, your criminal history, your ties to the community, and whether you are considered a flight risk or a danger to others.
There are several types of pretrial release in Maryland: release on your own recognizance, unsecured bond, secured bond requiring payment through a bail bondsman, and in some cases, release with conditions such as GPS monitoring or a no-contact order. If bail is denied or set at an amount you cannot pay, your attorney can file a motion for a bail review hearing before a judge, who has the authority to modify or reduce the bail amount.
Critical First Steps After a PG County Arrest
The steps you take immediately after an arrest in Prince George’s County can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Here is what we recommend:
Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. The sooner you have legal representation, the sooner someone is protecting your rights, gathering evidence, and building your defense. Do not wait until your court date to find a lawyer. Early intervention can make the difference between charges being reduced, dismissed, or resulting in a conviction.
Do not talk to police without a lawyer present. You are under no obligation to explain yourself, provide a statement, or answer investigative questions. Invoke your right to remain silent and your right to counsel. Anything you say will be documented and used by the prosecution.
Do not post on social media. Prosecutors and investigators routinely review social media accounts. A single post, photo, or comment can be taken out of context and used as evidence against you. Stay off social media entirely until your case is resolved.
Write down everything you remember. As soon as you are able, document every detail of your arrest — what happened, what was said, who was present, and how you were treated. These details fade quickly from memory but can be critical for your defense.
Attend all court dates. Failing to appear in court will result in a bench warrant for your arrest and can lead to additional charges. If you are unsure of your next court date, your attorney can help you confirm it. Learn more about what to expect at your first court date.
Why You Need a Lawyer Right Away
Many people make the mistake of waiting until their trial date to hire an attorney. By that point, critical opportunities may have already been lost. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can take immediate action to protect your case from the very beginning.
Early legal representation allows your attorney to preserve evidence before it disappears, identify and interview witnesses while their memories are fresh, file motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence or statements, and intervene with prosecutors before formal charges are filed or while plea negotiations are still possible. In many PG County cases, what happens in the first days and weeks after an arrest determines the trajectory of the entire case.
How SoMD Criminal Defense Can Help
Our firm has defended clients at every stage of the Prince George’s County criminal process — from commissioner hearings and bail reviews to jury trials in Circuit Court. Our founding attorney is a former prosecutor who understands how the state builds its cases and where the weaknesses lie. That perspective, combined with extensive trial experience, allows us to build aggressive and effective defense strategies for our clients.
We handle a wide range of criminal charges in PG County, including DUI and DWI, drug offenses, assault and domestic violence, theft and property crimes, weapons charges, and protective order violations. Our Oxon Hill office provides convenient access for clients throughout Prince George’s County, and we are available to respond to emergency calls when you or a loved one has just been arrested.
Contact a Prince George’s County Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been arrested in Prince George’s County, time matters. Call SoMD Criminal Defense at (301) 818-0389 or contact us online for a free consultation. We are available to discuss your case immediately and can begin working on your defense right away.
If you are facing criminal charges in Prince George’s County or anywhere in Southern Maryland, contact the experienced defense attorneys at SoMD Criminal Defense. We serve clients in Prince George’s County, Charles County, Calvert County, and St. Mary’s County. Call (301) 818-0389 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can PG County police hold you without charges?
Under Maryland law, you must be brought before a District Court commissioner within 24 hours of your arrest. At that initial appearance, the commissioner will inform you of the charges and determine whether to release you, set bail, or hold you without bail. If you have not been seen by a commissioner within 24 hours, your attorney can file for your immediate release.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in PG County?
Yes. Even misdemeanor charges in Prince George’s County can carry serious consequences, including jail time, fines, a permanent criminal record, and collateral effects on your employment, housing, and immigration status. A criminal defense attorney can evaluate the evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and work to achieve the best possible outcome — whether that means a dismissal, a reduction in charges, or an acquittal at trial.
How do I find out if I have a warrant in Prince George’s County?
You can check for outstanding warrants by contacting the Prince George’s County District Court clerk’s office or by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search database online. However, if you believe you have a warrant, the safest approach is to contact a criminal defense attorney first. A lawyer can confirm whether a warrant exists and help you resolve it without the risk of being arrested unexpectedly.
