Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Like other criminal charges, a conviction for retail theft can result in permanent marks on the person’s record, hefty fines and/or jail time. Those accused of retail theft in the Baltimore area can ensure optimal outcomes for their case by securing the services of the experienced Baltimore criminal defense attorney David B. Shapiro. Mr. Shapiro’s goal is to help all clients get the charges against them reduced, if not dropped altogether, so they can move on with their lives.
• DUI/DWI
  When you need a Baltimore DUI lawyer, you’ll find skilled and knowledgeable representation at the Law Offices of David B. Shapiro. Our experience and expertise when it comes to this area of the law will be to your benefit. We will do all we can to protect your freedom and help you get back to your normal life.
• Wrongful Death
  The legal definition of a Wrongful Death is the taking of the life of an individual resulting from the willful or negligent act of another person or persons.
• Traffic Violations
  Baltimore, as the most populated city in the state, is home to many of these accidents. Lawsuits related to car accidents are the most common type of injury suit. The most common reasons for accidents are speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving.
• Fraud
  Credit card fraud is rampant in the United States and continues to increase every year. It is important to know that perpetrators of credit card fraud are not just identity thieves. Unsuspecting consumers who use credit cards are also subjected to fraudulent and deceptive practices of credit card companies.
• Robbery
  As one of the most common property crimes committed in Baltimore, robbery is a severe charge that can result in prison sentences upwards of 50 years, depending on the nature of the crime.
• Burglary
  According to Maryland state law, burglary is defined as the act of entering a building, trailer, motor vehicle, aircraft, etc. without the owner’s permission with the intent of stealing something (or committing another felony). While burglary charges in Maryland are generally considered to be Class 2 felonies, should the event take place in a school or place of worship, it will be elevated to a Class 1 felony, which carries significantly harsher sentences.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  According to Maryland state law,  a person commits the offense of retail theft when they knowingly and unlawfully remove items from a retail store, without paying the full retail value of those items.  Generally, a retail theft is a Class A Misdemeanor offense.  This means it is punishable by up to 364 days in the county jail and up to a $2,500.00 fine.  If the person is accused of stealing merchandise with a retail value in excess of $150.00, the prosecutor may decide to charge the individual with a Class 3 Felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $25,000.00 fine.  If the accused has previously been convicted of retail theft, the prosecutor can charge that individual with felony retail theft for every future retail theft.
• Drug Crimes
  While the most common charge filed in drug arrests in 2008 was possession of marijuana, many individuals were also charged with the sale or manufacture of drugs such as heroine, cocaine and other dangerous non- narcotic drugs, such as barbiturates and benzedrine.
• Assault
  Convictions of aggravated assault or aggravated battery will have different sentences based on the details of the case. However, in the worst cases such as aggravated battery with a firearm or aggravated battery against a police officer, the charges are considered to be Class X, and convictions can carry up to 30 years in prison.If you or a loved one has been charged with assault or battery in Baltimore, it’s important that you secure the best possible representation to ensure optimal outcomes for your case. The Law Offices of David B. Shapiro is dedicated to aggressively defending the rights of the accused. Mr. Shapiro will personally handle your case and fight tirelessly to get your charges reduced or dropped altogether.Don’t wait any longer, contact our offices today and start building a defense (410) 576-9100.
• Murder
  Originally, wrongful death statutes in Maryland were created to give financial support for widows and orphans and it was also an impetus to encourage people to exercise care to prevent injuries. When a wrongful death action is filed in Baltimore, Maryland it is separate and apart from criminal charges, and neither proceeding has bearing on the other. A defendant acquitted of criminal murder charges still may be sued in a civil action by the victim’s family for wrongful death.
• Homicide
  According to Maryland state law, drug charges are classified according to the type of drug involved, as well as the amount of the drug that is found (based on the drug’s weight). In the most serious drug offense cases, the accused can be facing anywhere from 30 years to life in prison, particularly if the defendant has previous felony convictions or is also convicted of other serious crimes, such as homicide or aggravated assault.
• Arson
  As with murder or arson, robbery charges in Baltimore can vary drastically from case to case, depending on a number of factors. For robbery specifically, some of the mitigating factors may involve whether...
• Shoplifting
  Perhaps the worst penalty for shoplifting, though, is the black mark that it will leave on your permanent record. Shoplifting charges can make it very difficult to find work, as employers often automatically exclude applicants with theft related charges.
• Restraining Order
  An order of protection, also referred to as a restraining order, is issued by a judge when a victim of domestic abuse requests protection from the alleged perpetrator. Orders of protection are typically issued when it’s likely, in the eyes of the court, that the accused will harm or injure the victim again.
• Manslaughter
  The legal definition of “wrongful death†is the taking of a life through the willful or negligent actions of another person. It is a separate legal claim from the criminal charges, and neither has any bearing on the other. For example, if an individual is found innocent in a manslaughter trial, they still may be sued by the victim’s family for wrongful death.

Property Law

• Premises Liability
  Slip and fall accidents are the most common type of “premises liability†cases, which center on the question of a property owner’s duty to care for the property. Injury by fire or other accidents resulting from defects in the conditions of buildings also fall under this category.
• Property Damage
  In 2007, large trucks accounted for 8 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes and 4 percent of all vehicles involved in injury and property-damage-only crashes. Seventy-five percent (75%) of fatalities in large truck crashes were occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash. Only 17% of fatalities involved drivers or occupants of large trucks.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  When you experience a personal injury, whether the injury occurred at work or during your off time, recovery is an essential element of this negative experience. If you are injured and are worried about medical bills, missing work or other inconvenient disruptions in your day-to-day life, it’s essential you find the right personal injury attorney.
• Medical Malpractice
  Even though medical professionals go through years of schooling and training in their respective fields, nobody is perfect. If you have been impacted by medical malpractice and medical negligence, the Law Offices of David B. Shapiro can help.
• Auto Accidents
• Slip and Fall Injury
  Slip and fall injury claims in Baltimore and all of Baltimore County are governed under the negligence law. To win premises liability claim, an injured victim must prove either that...