With the winter season beginning to wane, it is the time of year that we begin to dream about sunshine, warm weather, and getting out on the ocean. Summertime has always been the time of year when we plan all our outdoor activities, including relaxation and play. If you have a boat (or plan on getting one), then imagining yourself out on the lake at Allen Pond Park or taking the boat out in Whitehall [...]
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 is. The truth of the matter is that, at most, these current vehicles are only capable of partial autonomous driving, [...]
The pandemic has been difficult for all of us. A new and contagious virus combined with the solitude of staying at home to avoid catching it makes our lives different and more complicated than they have been in the past. It makes sense that many of us are seeking outlets to escape the situations that we find ourselves in. As difficult as the average person has had it, it is without question that medical personnel [...]
If you were to ask the average person what punishments they think of when they hear the words “criminal conviction,” you would likely hear answers like “jail time” or “fines.” Others might mention restitution, or the loss of the right to vote. All of these penalties are, of course, possible – but there are collateral damages to a conviction that you may not know. One such example is the loss of a security clearance. A [...]
Nobody wants an arrest – or charge, or conviction – for driving under the influence (DUI). We go to great lengths to avoid it, from assigning a designated driver to staying sober to calling a rideshare instead. What if these options fall through and you are left alone with your vehicle? You certainly do not want to leave it to chance, so you put your keys in your pocket and decide to “sleep it off” [...]
A road rage incident occurring in Ocean City, Maryland last month almost turned deadly after one of the parties allegedly pulled a knife out during the altercation. According to police reports, the incident began when a driver (we’ll call him “John Doe,” as his name was not released) made a lane change in front of another driver’s car. After the lane change, it is alleged that Scott Williamson followed Doe closely from behind and sped [...]
A former Caroline County deputy is awaiting sentencing towards the end of this month for violating his presentence release terms in November. Steven Biddle pleaded guilty to felony theft in August after allegedly reaching out to several community members and loved ones for exorbitant amounts of money under the false guise of damages for a car accident. Biddle allegedly wore his deputy uniform while requesting at least $100,000 of donations from multiple victims. After voluntarily [...]
Before last year came to a close, one Baltimore Public Works employee wanted to end the year on a high note. The employee was accused of stealing a truck owned by the city with the intention of stealing a bank ATM machine. On December 29, Baltimore County Police received a call around 3:30 a.m. about a burglary at the BB&T bank in Owings Mills. When the officers arrived on the scene, the ATM machine was [...]
Ideally, police pull someone over when they are driving dangerously or otherwise breaking the law. In the case of reckless driving, this is to help protect everyone else from a possible accident and deter the driver from doing it in the future. We know this. It is no secret that it happens, and statistically, it will probably happen to most drivers on the road. What is a secret, however – or rather, what they wish [...]
The most important thing you need to remember if you are arrested – whether you committed a crime or not – is that if you resist through force, you can be charged with another crime. However, it is paramount you understand your rights, as resisting arrest charges are complex and, depending on the circumstances, may be unlawful. Today’s blog discusses the details around resisting arrest, what it entails, and the potential defenses should you be [...]
Legalese is as confusing as it is intimidating. While all the intricacies of the law are in place to make it as fair as possible, it still has the unfortunate result of alienating those it is meant to protect. Of course, pop culture is no help, with how frequently legal language is misused in shows and movies. How many times have you heard murder used interchangeably with homicide? Or that you must be read your [...]
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 [...]
Twelve jurors voted unanimously to hold the defendant in the Capital Gazette mass shooting criminally responsible for his actions. The jury consisted of eight men and four women. The family members who attended the trial, which took just under two weeks, thanked the jurors for their verdict. CBS News reported that that one of the widows of a victim said that the deaths of the five victims affected many more people than the five victims. [...]
When the news covers student sexual assaults, it usually does so in regard to college students and Title IX claims. Less common, but potentially even more devastating, are sexual assault claims where the accused is a minor. If your child is under the age of 18 and is convicted of certain sexual offenses, he or she can be forced to register as a sex offender. This can and will have a serious impact on your [...]
The Supreme Court of the United States has a juicy slate of opinions coming out this June. Some of cases have received significant local and national coverage, covering topics like healthcare, voting rights, and religious liberties. Others, such as the rulings released today, may receive far less coverage – but that doesn’t make them any less important. Case in point: Van Buren v. United States was released on June 3, 2021. In a 6-3 ruling, [...]
If you are a fan of the reality television show Big Brother, then you probably heard about Mike “Boogie” Malin’s plea to a felony stalking charge related to his fellow star Dr. Will Kirby, and the penalties associated with it. Those penalties are significant: $370 in fees and restitution (with additional restitution to be determined later) 3 days in jail 30 days in a residential treatment facility 2 years of probation with mandatory supervision by [...]
