Continuing Course of Conduct with a Child lawyer Prince George’s County, MD
You receive a call that changes everything. A police detective from Prince George’s County asks you to come to the station. Or officers arrive at your door with a warrant. The charge: continuing course of conduct with a child. Suddenly, everything—your job, your family, your reputation—hangs on a single accusation. In that moment, you need to know that experienced legal representation is already in place, not hours away. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team have handled serious sex offense matters for decades. Reach our Rockville location at (888) 437-7747 to speak with counsel about your situation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
Understanding a Continuing Course of Conduct Charge
A charge of continuing course of conduct with a child in Maryland alleges a pattern of sexual contact with a minor over a period of time, rather than a single isolated incident. This is a felony offense prosecuted actively by the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County. Cases involving a continuing course of conduct often rest on the credibility of forensic interviews, digital evidence, and any prior statements. Because the state treats these charges as especially serious, pretrial detention is common, and bond may be set at a level that is difficult to meet. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel understand how Prince George’s County courts—the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County at 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, and the District Court of MD for Prince George’s County—handle these matters.
Strategy Options for Your Defense
Every defense strategy starts with a thorough review of the allegations. The prosecution must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. Our approach may include challenging the admissibility of any statements you made, scrutinizing the collection and chain of custody of digital evidence, and examining whether forensic interviews of the child were conducted in a way that respected proper protocols. Because a continuing-course-of-conduct charge often encompasses multiple alleged acts, the timeline and any gaps are critical. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel may also work with forensic Experienced professionals who can assess electronic data and provide a counter-narrative. While we cannot guarantee any outcome, we prepare each case as though it will go to trial, which often creates opportunities for a negotiated resolution.
What to Expect When You Are Charged
If you are arrested, you will likely be held pending a bail review hearing. The court will consider the nature of the allegations, your ties to the community, and any prior record. After a bail decision, the case moves to the district court for a preliminary hearing or, in many cases, directly to the circuit court for trial. Discovery—the exchange of evidence between the prosecution and defense—is a critical early phase. Police reports, forensic analyses, witness statements, and recorded interviews all become part of the record. The trial process can take several months to over a year. During this time, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel will investigate, file pretrial motions, and, where appropriate, engage with the prosecutor to discuss whether the charges can be reduced or resolved before trial.
Penalties Upon Conviction
A conviction for a continuing course of conduct with a child carries life‑altering consequences. While every case is different, Maryland law provides a broad range of possible sentences for serious sex offenses. For example, rape in the first degree is punishable by up to life imprisonment, and a sexual offense in the third degree carries a maximum of ten years. In addition to any prison term, a conviction will almost always require registration as a sex offender for a period that depends on the tier of the offense—Tier I registration lasts fifteen years, Tier II lasts twenty‑five years, and Tier III is for life. These collateral consequences affect where you can live, where you can work, and your ability to be around children, including your own. An experienced attorney will work to prevent these outcomes from ever materializing. Results may vary.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced criminal defense for more than twenty‑eight years. A former prosecutor, he understands the state’s case-building approach and uses that perspective to anticipate prosecution strategies. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Alongside Mr. Sris, the firm’s Of Counsel team includes attorneys with prosecution experience in Maryland, giving them firsthand familiarity with how the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office approaches sex crime cases. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and have achieved 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for a sex crime in Prince George’s County, Maryland?
Penalties for sex crimes in Maryland range from up to one year for a fourth‑degree sexual offense to life imprisonment for rape in the first degree. Rape in the second degree carries a maximum of twenty years, and a third‑degree sexual offense is punishable by up to ten years. Child pornography possession can lead to five years and a fine; distribution can bring ten years. The court also imposes sex offender registration obligations that can last fifteen years, twenty‑five years, or a lifetime. The sentence actually imposed depends on the specific charge, any prior record, and the advocacy of your attorney.
What are the sex offender registry tiers in Maryland?
Maryland uses three tiers for sex offender registration: Tier I requires registration for fifteen years, Tier II for twenty‑five years, and Tier III for life. The tier assigned to a conviction is fixed by statute and depends on the offense of conviction. A defense attorney will examine whether the specific charge can be resolved through a plea to an offense that does not mandate registration or that falls into a lower tier, because the registry affects a person’s residence, employment, and family life for years.
Do all sex offenses require registration in Maryland?
Not every sex offense results in registration, but the majority of felony sex crimes—including any offense that is part of a continuing course of conduct with a child—trigger the Maryland sex offender registry. The registration requirement is a separate consequence beyond the criminal sentence itself. It applies automatically upon conviction for qualifying offenses. A lawyer can identify whether there is a path to avoid registration or to limit the registration period.
How long does a sex crime conviction stay on your record in Maryland?
In Maryland, a felony sex crime conviction stays on your criminal record permanently unless it is later expunged or pardoned. Unlike some traffic or minor offenses, sex offenses are generally not eligible for automatic removal after a set period. The availability of expungement depends on the outcome of the case and whether the law allows for it. For many sex crimes, a conviction means the record will follow you indefinitely, which is why resolving the case favorably is so critical.
Can sex crime charges be reduced in Maryland?
Yes, sex crime charges can sometimes be reduced to a lesser offense through negotiations with the prosecutor. The possibility of reduction depends on the evidence, the credibility of witnesses, and the strength of the defense. For example, a charge of a continuing course of conduct may, in some circumstances, be amended to a less severe charge that carries fewer long‑term consequences. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work to present issues in the prosecution’s case that may make a reduction a realistic outcome.
What should I do if I am under investigation for a sex crime in Prince George’s County?
If you are under investigation, you should not speak with law enforcement or discuss the matter with anyone other than an attorney. Anything you say to police or to family members can become evidence. Contact a lawyer immediately to preserve your rights, and do not consent to any search or record review without legal advice. Prompt involvement of counsel can influence the direction of the investigation before charges are filed.
Also serving: Montgomery County Sex Crimes Lawyer · Howard County Sex Crimes Lawyer · Anne Arundel County Sex Crimes Lawyer · Frederick County Sex Crimes Lawyer · Baltimore County Sex Crimes Lawyer.
Reach Our Location
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211
Rockville, MD 20850
By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.