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 with the police. The better alternative is to ask to speak with your criminal defense lawyer. The lawyer can explain [...]

It should come as no surprise that actual appearances in court are not like those portrayed on TV and in the movies. Defendants charged with anything ranging from a traffic offense to a felony need to understand that their appearance and behavior will be judged by judges and juries. How you present yourself matters, and in some cases, it could help you get the outcome you desire. Experienced criminal defense lawyers try to prepare their [...]

The Baltimore Sun reported in April that Maryland’s prison population had fallen to 17,815. It was the first time the prison population was below 18,000 in 30 years. Over the last 10 years, the number of prisoners has dropped by nearly 30%.  The statistics were compiled by the Vera Institute of Justice, which analyzed data from the states and from date compiled by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Justice Reinvestment Act A major reason [...]

Due process: it’s a phrase we often hear, but most people have little idea what it means. In the most general way, due process is a fairness doctrine, aimed at protecting the rights and liberties of both the accused and the accuser in a court of law. For many, due process has become synonymous with the word “justice,” and the concept of “fair play.” Due process is, then, the set of rules which government and [...]

Constitutionally, citizens have no right to health care. There have been laws passed and programs instituted that give us access to healthcare, but for most of us, healthcare is an option, not a right – with one notable exception. The incarcerated. The New Yorker recently profiled a 30-year old named Jeremy Laintz whose fortunes turned when he began abusing opioids. He then became addicted to heroin, was arrested and booked in a Colorado jail which [...]

A new bill aims to help victims of sex-trafficking help clear their names so their convictions can’t be viewed by the public. Sex-trafficking often requires that the victims, many underage, commit other crimes such as drug crimes in addition to prostitution and sex-related offenses. Prior attempts to modify Maryland’s sex trafficking laws have been stymied. For many victims, clearing their record of the sex-related crimes doesn’t help clear their name of the non-sexual charges. The [...]

If you’ve been charged with assault in Maryland, you may have many questions about the charges and the judicial process. The legal team here at Carey Law Office has put together some common and general questions and answers for your convenience, and we urge you to contact us if you need assistance. What are the types of assault crimes in Maryland? There are two types of assault – first degree and second degree. Reckless endangerment [...]

The emoticon was born on September 19, 1982 when Professor Scott Fahlman of Carnegie Mellon suggested using the keyboard symbols :-) and :-( to express emotions online. This caught on, spread around the country, and eventually we were all using emoticons. However, beyond simple emojis like that, interpretations of other emojis can be rather subjective. In an interview with The Verge, Santa Clara University law professor Eric Goldman points out, “Emoji usually have dialects. They [...]

The Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution provides “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining [...]

On Wednesday, February 20, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled unanimously that states cannot impose excessive fees, fines, or forfeitures as criminal penalties. This decision clarifies that the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits excessive fines, applies to states as well as the federal government. The ability of authorities to seize private property used in a crime – civil asset forfeiture – has become a revenue source for states, as well as a way to [...]

If you are the defendant in a criminal case, you may have numerous questions involving the court process and the charges filed against you. To many defendants, interaction with the criminal justice system is brand-new, other than what they have seen over television or in a movie. The reality is very different from the make-believe, and many people think that what they see on TV is what actually happens. We wanted to clear up some [...]

Retailers face a serious problem when it comes to shoplifting. The costs run into the billions of dollars per year. In order to get this lost money back, many companies have opted for aggressive legal tactics that leverage existing state laws. These efforts utilize questionable tactics to obtain restitution, and even pursue individuals who were never convicted of the shoplifting allegation. One of these companies is Walmart, the world-renowned retail giant. Walmart has been demanding [...]

Expungement is a process that allows you to petition the court for the removal of specific types of police and court records, shielding them from public view. In the state of Maryland, you can have your records expunged from court files, police files, and Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) files. There is a specific filing process to be followed with each agency. If you qualify for expungement in a particular case, those records will be [...]

Homicide rates in major cities across the U.S. appear to be on the decline this year after increasing over the last few years, according to a recent New York Times article. The report indicates that by the time statistics are available for the entire year, the murder rate should be about 4 to 5% lower across the nation, compared to 2017. According to the Times report, fewer homicides occur in the U.S. each year when [...]