Failure to Obey a Law Enforcement Officer in Baltimore County, Maryland
Defense of Criminal Law § 10-201(c)(3) Charges in Towson, Essex, and Catonsville
Failure to obey a law enforcement officer is a form of disorderly conduct under Maryland Criminal Law § 10-201(c)(3). A person may not willfully fail to obey a reasonable and lawful order that a law enforcement officer makes to prevent a disturbance to the public peace. The charge is a misdemeanor. The maximum penalty is 60 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both.
However, the statute does not make every disagreement with an officer a crime. The State must prove that the officer gave an order, that the order was reasonable and lawful, that the officer made it to prevent a disturbance to the public peace, and that the person willfully failed to obey it. As a result, an order that goes beyond that purpose, or that targets protected speech, does not meet the statute.
At Shepard Law in Towson, principal attorney Stephen P. Shepard provides client-centered and compassionate criminal defense representation to individuals facing failure-to-obey charges throughout Baltimore County. With more than a decade of dedicated service defending clients in Towson, Essex, Catonsville, and surrounding communities, our firm focuses on understanding your unique circumstances and protecting your future with thoughtful, personalized advocacy.
Take the Next Step – Contact Shepard Law Today
Call Shepard Law at (410) 648-4008 or complete our secure online contact form for a free, confidential consultation. We also offer jail visits for a fee when needed. Attorney Stephen P. Shepard is prepared to listen carefully to your story, explain your rights, and provide the client-centered and compassionate representation you deserve.
What the State Has to Prove
Section 10-201(c)(3) has four elements. The State must prove each one.
- A law enforcement officer gave an order. A request, a suggestion, or a question is not an order.
- The order was reasonable and lawful. An unlawful order does not support the charge.
- The officer made the order to prevent a disturbance to the public peace. An order made for some other purpose falls outside the subsection.
- The person willfully failed to obey it. A person who did not hear the order, or who could not comply, has not willfully failed to obey.
In addition, the public place or public conveyance need not be devoted solely to public use. Streets, sidewalks, parks, stores, and common areas of apartment buildings can all qualify. Even so, the purpose of the order still has to be prevention of a disturbance.
Where the Case Is Heard
District Court sets the date. That court sits in Towson, Essex, and Catonsville. The citation shows which location was assigned. Because the maximum penalty is 60 days, the defendant cannot pray a jury trial on this charge alone. If the State adds a charge with a higher maximum penalty, such as resisting arrest, that companion charge can move the case to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. That court sits only in Towson.
Why Choose Shepard Law for a Failure to Obey Charge in Baltimore County
Stephen P. Shepard is a respected Baltimore County criminal defense attorney recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star,” Avvo with a 10.0 “Superb” rating, Martindale-Hubbell as a “Client Champion Platinum,” and The National Trial Lawyers as a “Top 40 Under 40.” He is an active member of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association and regularly appears in Baltimore County courts.
Our Towson office, located at 303 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson, MD 21204, serves clients across Baltimore County. At Shepard Law, you receive client-centered and compassionate representation focused on your individual needs and long-term well-being.
Take the Next Step – Contact a Failure to Obey Lawyer in Towson Today
Call Shepard Law at (410) 648-4008 or complete our secure online contact form for a free, confidential consultation. We also offer jail visits for a fee when needed. Related public-order charges are covered on our crimes against the public page, our disorderly conduct page, and our resisting arrest page. Attorney Stephen P. Shepard is prepared to listen carefully to your story and provide the client-centered and compassionate representation you deserve on a failure-to-obey charge anywhere in Baltimore County.
