As more and more states legalize recreational marijuana use, it remains unlawful in the state of Maryland. Anything under 10 grams of pot is a civil offense with a $100 fine, and anything under 10 pounds is a misdemeanor that comes along with jail time and a $1,000 fine. Public use can also net you a civil fine of up to 100 dollars. However, public opinion changes over time, and Maryland lawmakers may soon consider [...]
A DUI charge can derail and complicate your life in multiple ways. From high fines to substantial time behind bars, to the potentially loss of your employment, this is not a charge to brush off. Officers often decide to make arrests based on what they deem are the results of field sobriety tests. This means people can find themselves facing a DUI charge even when they should not be. Being charged, however, is not the [...]
Even though some parents joke about what they would do if they received a phone call that their child has been arrested, receiving that type of call could be a parent’s worst nightmare. No parent wants to think about their child being left in the hands of other adults that may or may not have their best interest at heart. Although an arrest is not the end of the world for your child, it can [...]
Many investigators are beginning to pursue social media or app wiretaps to help prosecute certain crimes. In fact, there are currently nine cases in Maryland where authorities have requested permission to wiretap social media or digital apps,. The most recent example of this phenomenon is a case that happened last year in Harford County. In the pursuit of suspected drug traffickers, authorities requested permission from a judge to listen in on a suspect’s phone conversations. [...]
If you have found yourself in a position where you have violated probation in Maryland, you are not alone. Each year, thousands of residents in Maryland are sentenced to probation for many reasons. With jails becoming overpopulated, and probation can serve as an alternative solution that benefits both the probationer and the criminal justice system. Over time, however, it is evident that as the number of people that are placed on probation increases, the number [...]
The crime of public intoxication is exactly what it sounds like. For you to be charged with this offense, it has to be proven that you were either in a public space, and while occupying that public space you were intoxicated. You may think that a misdemeanor charge of public intoxication is essentially harmless; however, that is what makes this charge very misleading. How does the state of Maryland define public intoxication? In the state [...]
For years, the battle to end online sexual exploitation has been in the hands of law enforcement. In order to protect children from becoming the victims of exploitation and abuse, Apple has collaborated with child safety experts to implement new safety features. Those safety features, however, have been put on hold indefinitely – and rightfully so. We fully support any and all efforts to reduce and eliminate sexually exploitative photos and videos of children, and [...]
The crime of extortion was in the news recently when it was revealed that attorney Michael Avenatti was sentenced to 2 ½ years in jail for attempting to extort Nike, a sportswear manufacturer. Mr. Avenatti became well-known as the attorney for Stormy Daniels. According to BuzzFeed News, federal prosecutors asserted that Avenatti used his fame to try to extort millions of dollars from Nike “with threats to accuse employees of misconduct.” BuzzFeed News reports that [...]
Any driver who operates his/her vehicle while under the influence of alcohol risks being charged with a DUI. If a person is killed as a result of a drunk driver, a drugged driver, or even a driver who is not quite legally drunk but still impaired by alcohol, that driver could face a different set of felony charges. All of these offenses will likely result in a lengthy prison sentence and substantial fines. Simply put, [...]
As criminal trials are resuming due to the vaccinations across the state, the criminal justice system needs to review whether justice delayed is fair justice for some criminal defendants. Many trials were postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to concerns jurors, court personnel, and defendants would become infected through close contact. While it is understandable why jury trials were largely suspended during the pandemic, the reality is that many defendants spent more time in jail [...]
