Criminal Defense Practice Areas in Southern Maryland
A criminal charge is not just a legal problem — it is a threat to your freedom, your reputation, your career, and your family. The decisions you make in the days and weeks immediately after an arrest can have lasting consequences. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner from the beginning is not optional; it is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself.
Facing an emergency? We provide same-day consultations for urgent criminal matters. Call (301) 818-0389 now.
At SoMD Criminal Defense, we handle the full spectrum of criminal charges in Maryland — from first-offense misdemeanors to the most serious felonies. Our partners, Jeremy Widder and Kathryn Batey, bring complementary prosecution and defense experience to every case we take. Jeremy spent nearly a decade as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Charles County before founding this firm. Kathryn served as Deputy District Public Defender for Southern Maryland. Together, they understand how criminal cases are built, where they are vulnerable, and how to defend them effectively.
Our Practice Areas
Violent Crimes and Homicide
Murder, manslaughter, assault, robbery, kidnapping — violent crime charges carry some of the heaviest penalties in Maryland law. If you are facing a violent felony charge, you need a defense team with serious trial experience. We have handled high-profile homicide and violent crime cases in Charles County and across Southern Maryland, and we know what it takes to mount an effective defense when the stakes are highest. Learn more about violent crime defense.
Property Crimes and Non-Violent Felonies
Burglary, theft, arson, fraud, and other property crimes can result in felony convictions with serious prison time and collateral consequences that affect your ability to work and rebuild your life. We defend clients against all property crime charges, drawing on our experience with complex financial and property cases from our time in the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office. Learn more about property crime defense.
Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence
Sex offense and domestic violence charges carry unique consequences — including sex offender registration, protective orders, and immigration implications — beyond the criminal penalties themselves. These cases demand discretion, thorough investigation, and a defense strategy built on the specific facts of your case. We handle these matters with the seriousness and sensitivity they require. Learn more about sex offense and domestic violence defense.
Drug Charges
Maryland drug laws cover everything from simple possession of marijuana to large-scale distribution and manufacturing of controlled dangerous substances. The penalties vary widely depending on the substance, the quantity, and the circumstances of the arrest. We defend clients against all CDS charges and understand how to challenge the stop, the search, and the evidence the State intends to use against you. Learn more about drug charge defense.
DUI and DWI Defense
A DUI arrest triggers two separate legal proceedings — the criminal case and an MVA administrative hearing — and you have only 10 days from your arrest to request the hearing. As former prosecutors, we know exactly how the State builds DUI cases, and we know where those cases break down. From challenging the traffic stop to contesting breathalyzer results, we explore every angle of your defense. Learn more about DUI and DWI defense.
We provide DUI defense across Southern Maryland, including Charles County, Prince George’s County, Calvert County, and St. Mary’s County.
Protective Orders and Misdemeanors
Protective orders, peace orders, and misdemeanor charges can affect your housing, your custody arrangements, your right to own a firearm, and your ability to travel. Even charges that seem minor deserve serious legal attention. We represent clients on both sides of protective order proceedings and defend all classes of misdemeanor charges in District Court. Learn more about protective orders and misdemeanor defense.
Expungement
A criminal record can follow you long after your case is resolved, affecting employment, housing, and professional licensing. Maryland law allows for the expungement of certain charges and convictions. Our attorneys can evaluate your eligibility and guide you through the expungement process. Learn more about expungement in Maryland.
Where We Practice
SoMD Criminal Defense represents clients throughout Southern Maryland. We appear regularly in the District and Circuit Courts of Charles County, Prince George’s County, Calvert County, and St. Mary’s County. Our White Plains office serves Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s County clients. Our Oxon Hill office serves Prince George’s County clients throughout the county.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you are facing a criminal charge in Maryland, contact SoMD Criminal Defense today. Call (301) 818-0389 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation. We will review the facts of your case, explain your options, and tell you honestly what to expect — so you can make informed decisions about your defense.
Specialized Defense Services
Our firm offers specialized representation for some of the most serious charges in Maryland. Whether you are facing homicide charges, sexual assault charges, or other violent crime charges, we provide aggressive defense strategies tailored to your case. We also handle sensitive matters involving security clearance issues that may arise from criminal allegations. Visit our FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions about the criminal defense process.
