Posts by Carey Law Office LLC
What Are the Most Common White-Collar Crimes?
White-collar crime is a category of non-violent offenses typically committed by individuals or entities in the context of business, finance, or professional settings. Unlike traditional “street” crimes, white-collar crimes are characterized by their deceptive or fraudulent nature, often involving schemes to obtain financial gain through illegal means. Following is a discussion of some of the…
Read MoreBeing on the Sex Offender Registry Can Affect Your Entire Life
Certain criminal convictions require individuals to be placed on lists, due to their crimes being considered a threat to the general public. For example, the United States has “no-fly” lists for anyone who has raised concerns of being potentially tied to terrorism. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) maintains a list of the ten most…
Read MoreCan I Be Charged with a Crime if My Autonomous Car Causes a Fatal Accident?
Autonomous cars are here, and more Americans are purchasing vehicles that have some of their features: lane assist, automatic braking, and so forth. Most people may think these vehicles, which come with modes called “autopilot” or something similar, are fully capable of driving themselves, and that human intervention is not as necessary as it actually…
Read MoreCould a Change in Maryland’s Hate Crime Law Affect Your Case?
On October 1, 2020, changes to Maryland’s hate crime laws went into effect, giving prosecutors a broader reach when it comes to obtaining a conviction. From now on, if you are charged with a hate crime in Maryland, prosecutors no longer have to link your actions to hate alone. This is going to make for…
Read MoreOther Intoxicants That Can Lead to DUI or DWI Charges
Usually, when one hears the term “DUI arrest,” it is assumed the driver was under the influence of alcohol. However a DUI or DWI (driving while intoxicated) charge can also involve the consumption one of numerous types of substances that have the ability to impair the driving skills of an individual. In Maryland, you can…
Read MoreIs It Ever a Good Idea to Plead the Fifth?
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects individuals from self-incrimination. In other words, no person within the state of Maryland and throughout United States may be forced in any criminal matter to testify against himself or herself. This Amendment is in place to protect individuals, whether they are perfectly innocent or…
Read MoreMaryland Residents Are More Concerned about Safety than Other States’ Residents
For the last six years, SafeWise has compiled a list of the safest cities in each state. Their rankings are based on the FBI’s crime statistics data and population data from the US Census. This year, the 10 safest cities were: Taneytown Ocean Pines Hampstead Mount Airy Thurmont Centreville Glenarden District Heights Bowie Brunswick According…
Read MoreUnder the Shadow of COVID-19, the Right to a Speedy Trial Has Suffered Further
Under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, every criminal defendant has the right to receive a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury. The same right is also guaranteed in many state constitutions and state laws. In recent years, the right to a speedy trial has fallen to the wayside,…
Read MoreCan You Face Criminal Charges for Posting on the Internet?
There is a tremendous amount of vitriol on the internet, and most of it is simple “trolling” – but in some cases, what you post online can lead to criminal charges. Maryland, for example, implemented Gracie’s Law back in 2013. The law is named after Grace McComas, a 15-year old, who killed herself in response…
Read MoreThe Consequences of Theft Charges in Maryland
Being charged with any crime in Maryland needs to be taken extremely seriously. Even misdemeanors have serious consequences that can affect you for the rest of your life. The obvious consequence is being required to spend time in prison; however, there are long-term consequences that can affect your finances, your enjoyment of life, your rights,…
Read MorePersonal Breathalyzer Tests Could Land You in Jail for DUI
Many people don’t have any idea how intoxicated they are before they get into a vehicle and start to drive. To ensure their own safety (and perhaps the safety of others), some people turn to personalized breathalyzers: devices that can be purchased by non-law enforcement individuals to test their blood alcohol content (BAC). Some bars…
Read MoreWhat Rights Will I Lose after a Criminal Conviction in Maryland?
A Maryland-based group called Life After Release is working to ensure those detained and incarcerated while awaiting trial have access to vote. Although there’s no law on the books in our state that prevents people charged with a crime from voting, detained individuals often can’t vote because they don’t have the accessibility to do so.…
Read MoreProposed Legislation Aims to Change Maryland Electronic Court Records Loophole
Recent legislation proposed by a Maryland judiciary panel targets a “loophole” in the state’s electronic court records system that allows attorneys to indiscriminately keep court filings hidden from the public. State Senator Jill Carter sponsored the bill in an effort to provide transparency and allow judges, rather than prosecution or defense attorneys, to decide what…
Read MoreDo Tests Exist That Prove Someone Was Driving Under the Influence of Narcotics?
It’s standard procedure in drunk driving cases to give drivers field sobriety tests and breath tests. If the police obtain a warrant, they can also demand that the driver submit to a blood test. The rules are different for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of narcotics. For starters, there is no breath test…
Read MoreWhat Does the Phrase “Chain of Custody” Mean?
The phrase “chain of custody” commonly refers to the proper preservation of tangible evidence that is used in trial. The burden is placed on the prosecution to show, every step of the way, that the evidence that is seized or taken is properly preserved. The prosecution needs to show that nobody was able to tamper…
Read MoreFailure to Pay Child Support and Loss of Driving Privileges by the MVA
Many drivers lose their driving privileges due to a DUI conviction, their refusal to take a breath test, or because they accumulated too many points on their driving record. Drivers in Maryland can also lose their right to drive if they fail to pay their child support. The Motor Vehicle Administration and the Child Support…
Read MoreIs CBD Oil Legal in Maryland?
Cannabidiol – also known as CBD – products come in all forms: lotions, creams, beverages, foods, cosmetics, and other consumables and things that can be applied to your body. The products are being sold in retail stores, health stores, and online. And even though marijuana use is still illegal in Maryland (barring approved, prescribed medical…
Read MoreWhat Are the Penalties for DUI and Repeat DUI?
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious personal safety and public health issue. Over a recent five-year period, drivers operating a motor vehicle while impaired accounted for roughly 1 in 3 deaths on the road in Maryland, according to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. On average each year, there are approximately 7,884 impaired driving…
Read MoreHow to Prepare for an MVA Hearing in Bowie and Crofton
There are two parts to any Driving Under the Influence case. The first part is the criminal case where the driver’s guilt or innocence is established. The second part is the hearing before the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The MVA hearing establishes what happens to your driving privileges as a result of the DUI conviction.…
Read MoreDoes Double Jeopardy Apply to Federal and State Cases?
Maryland and the US government each have their own criminal statutes, their own rules of criminal procedure, and their own sentencing guidelines. Most crimes are violations of Maryland law or federal law but not both jurisdictions. For example, crimes on federal lands are usually prosecuted in federal courts while crimes on state property are prosecuted…
Read MoreDUI Defenses for Commercial Vehicle Drivers
Most people who drive need their vehicles for personal matters, such as shopping and getting the kids to their games on time. Many also need their vehicles to commute to their jobs. For a large number of people, their job is their vehicle. Commercial drivers who haul freight and inventory lose their livelihood if they…
Read MoreAccusations of Sexual Assault When Both Parties Were Intoxicated
Imagine two people, both of whom are drunk or under the influence of drugs. One person accuses the other person of sexual assault. The accused does not believe he or she committed assault, or does not remember the events of the evening. In some cases, the accuser may not remember all the events of the…
Read MoreWhen Can a Juvenile Be Tried as an Adult?
States usually try juveniles differently than adults for many reasons. States treat young people who commit crimes differently because they recognize that children should be given time to mature. Many children commit nonviolent offenses such as shoplifting or underage drinking without realizing the full consequences of their actions. The aims of the juvenile system are…
Read MoreYou Can Be Charged with a DUI while Driving an ATV
Driving under the influence laws in Maryland apply to more than just drivers of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. If you drive on any gas-powered vehicle while intoxicated, you can be charged with driving under the influence. This includes ATVs, Vespas, and motorized scooters. It generally also includes snowmobiles and boats, and even golf carts. A…
Read MoreDo I Have to Go to the Police Station to Answer Questions?
Do you have to speak with the police at the police station? Many people think the answer is “yes” because that’s what people on TV crime dramas do. Fortunately, the real world doesn’t follow TV scripts. Unless you are being arrested for a crime, there is normally no requirement that you go to the station…
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