Did you know that if you’ve ever been arrested, even if you weren’t convicted, that record can follow you? Employers, landlords, and even potential dates can find it with a quick background check, and that can cause any number of problems. But in Maryland, you may have the option to seal your arrest record, giving you a fresh start. So, what does that really mean, and how do you do it? This guide will walk [...]
Have you been charged with a heroin-related crime in Maryland? If so, you need to understand the difference between possession and trafficking. These charges might sound similar, but they affect your life, freedom, and future differently. Today, we want to walk you through the key differences between each and explain what you should know about the legal consequences. What is heroin possession? A heroin possession charge happens when you are caught with heroin for personal [...]
Have you or a loved one been arrested in Maryland? You’re probably wondering about bail. Bail is the amount of money or property you must put up to be released from jail while awaiting trial. But what if the bail the court sets is more than you have or can afford? Are there any ways to get your bail reduced? The criminal defense attorneys at Carey Law Office have answers to your questions. What is [...]
In the first few moments after getting arrested, your mind is probably racing. You might be asking yourself, “What just happened? What should I do now? Who should I call?” It’s absolutely normal to feel overwhelmed by emotions, but how you respond after an arrest can affect your case. At Carey Law Office, we’ve seen it all – the good, the bad, and the mistakes that can turn a difficult situation into a disaster. To [...]
Artificial intelligence (AI) and other evolving technologies have opened the door to new forms of white-collar crime. At the same time, it’s allowing investigators to identify criminal activities and file charges for these new types of violations. One good example of a novel type of crime took place in April 2024, when a Maryland athletic director allegedly used AI to impersonate a high school principal’s voice. The reportedly fake recording appears to show the principal [...]
Violent crime remains common throughout Maryland, although crime rates vary according to jurisdiction. Crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault are grave concerns in many of the state’s higher population areas, including Baltimore. Maryland’s violent crime rate is 5.3 incidents per 1,000 people, 34 percent higher than the national rate of 4.0 and the eighth-highest in the U.S. According to a recent Washington Post-University of Maryland poll, 30 percent of the voters in [...]
When an immigrant is charged with a crime, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) files a detainer with law enforcement, asking them to keep the person incarcerated under federal officials assuming custody. As a result, a non-citizen's immigration status may be significantly impacted by criminal charges, even if the charges did not result in a conviction. These consequences may include deportation and ineligibility for immigration benefits. Anyone facing criminal charges should consult with a criminal [...]
Expert witnesses play a critical role in criminal trials, providing specialized knowledge to help the court understand complex evidence and issues beyond the average person's understanding. Despite being hired by one side of the litigation, they must be impartial and objective because they are bound by professional and ethical standards to base their testimony strictly on their professional expertise. What do expert witnesses do in criminal trials? Here’s a breakdown of the key functions of [...]
The bail process in Maryland involves several steps to determine whether a defendant can be released from custody while awaiting trial and under what conditions. Here’s a general overview of how it works: Arrest and initial detention: After an arrest, the defendant is typically taken to a police station, booked, and held until a bail hearing can be scheduled. Bail hearing: This is usually the defendant's first court appearance after an arrest. The hearing often [...]
A new website has recently been created in Maryland to help identify and combat hate crimes across the state. This website has raised concerns and curiosity about the implications of being accused of a hate crime. Accusations of hate crimes are serious, and in today's society, individuals are often presumed guilty by the public, even without evidence. If you have been accused of committing a hate crime in Bowie, Dunkirk, or anywhere else in Maryland, [...]
Maryland recently passed two bills that would regulate how law enforcement officers use facial recognition technology during investigations of certain types of crimes. The bills elaborate and describe various requirements for facial recognition, which are said to be the strongest in any state across the United States. These new rules and regulations are being put in place at a time when facial recognition has become a big part of policing. The hope is that the [...]
Trust and confidentiality are crucial when working with a criminal defense attorney in Bowie or Dunkirk. Certain discussions during the legal process require a high level of privacy, and attorney-client privilege works to protect this confidentiality. Attorney-client privilege is important because, without it, clients would be afraid to speak openly with their lawyers, which could make it more challenging to build a strong defense. The law is clear, and courts take it seriously, so with [...]
Most serious criminal cases (where a prison sentence is likely after conviction) are decided by juries. Juries are generally chosen from the community where the defendant lives. In state court cases, juries are chosen from the county where the defendant lives. In federal cases, the jurors are chosen from several nearby counties. Since jurors decide the fate of a defendant, it’s critical to understand what a juror does. Once the jurors are chosen in criminal [...]
Many Maryland workers need to obtain security clearances to view and handle classified documents as part of their job. The loss of the proper security clearance can mean the loss of your job. A criminal record may affect your security clearance. Often, the best way to keep your security clearance is to obtain a dismissal of the criminal charges, an acquittal, or a plea bargain to a lesser offense that won’t jeopardize your security clearance. [...]
When a car accident happens in Maryland, the police should be called to the scene of the accident. The police clear traffic, obtain each driver’s relevant information (driver’s license, insurance policies, and other information), and tend to anyone who is injured; then, they’ll investigate how the accident happened. If the police believe a crime occurred, they may arrest the driver at the scene. There are many different types of criminal charges that can be filed, [...]
Today, Maryland Governor Wes Moore is signing an executive order that will pardon approximately 175,000 misdemeanor marijuana charges. This is the largest blanket pardon at the state level to date, and the only pardon that includes misdemeanor convictions for possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, as well as misdemeanor possession convictions. Per AP News, the governor’s office said the following: The Moore-Miller Administration is committed to promoting social equity and ensuring the fair and [...]
There are many stages of a criminal case from the arrest, arraignment, and bail hearing to the criminal discovery process, motions to suppress evidence, and plea bargain negotiations. Carey Law Office has over 40 years of experience and advocacy skills to try your case in state and federal courts. Defendants have the right in Maryland to have a lawyer represent them. If a defendant can’t afford a lawyer, then a defense lawyer will be appointed [...]
Being pulled over by the police can be a nerve-wracking experience, but staying calm and following proper protocol can significantly improve your outcome. Today’s blog equips you with comprehensive knowledge and practical steps to manage a traffic stop safely and respectfully. Before you’re stopped Familiarize yourself with Maryland’s traffic laws and your rights during a police stop. Ensure your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance are easily accessible in your glove compartment or center [...]
Thanks to film, television, and armchair pundits online, a lot of folks have inaccurate expectations and beliefs about the legal system. This can be detrimental if you’re facing criminal charges, as you may act or behave in ways you think will protect your rights – when in fact, they do anything but. This blog aims to debunk some of the most common myths surrounding criminal law and give you more accurate information about your rights, [...]
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 most common white-collar crimes. Fraud Fraud is one of the most common forms of white-collar crime, encompassing a wide range [...]
In November 2021, a 15-year-old child brought a gun into school; he killed four students and injured another seven. He pled guilty to 24 criminal charges including first-degree murder and terrorism. His name is Ethan Crumbley, and he admitted to killing those other children. Jennifer Crumbley is his mother. She didn’t shoot anyone, but a jury found her guilty today of involuntary manslaughter – a verdict that is likely to set an entirely new precedent [...]
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used for many different reasons – many exciting and many terrifying. One use of AI is to recognize a person’s face. The core ideas are that software developers: Design programs that start with a current face, such as the face a person presents to a security system or a face that has been identified by law enforcement. Create and access a database of facial images from many different sources. Program [...]
In Maryland, a judge may order that a defendant who is charged with a DUI (driving under the influence), a DWI (driving while intoxicated), or another alcohol/drug-related offense undergo a substance abuse evaluation. This evaluation is used to evaluate if the defendant has a substance abuse disorder and what treatment plan should be ordered depending on the result of the criminal charges. Generally, the substance evaluation must be completed before the defendant is sentenced. In [...]
The Maryland Child Interrogation Protection Act went into effect on October 1, 2022. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Act protects children/juveniles in several ways: There is a requirement that the child be able to consult with a lawyer when he/she is taken into custody unless there is a public safety emergency. The parents or guardians of the child must be notified that their child is in custody. The law creates a [...]
The world of virtual reality may be moving too fast. Most people understand that when they play a virtual game, that the characters aren’t really hurt or killed. You can just end the game and start playing a new one. It’s like the old Road Runner cartoons where Wile E. Coyote always ends up being crushed by some product that failed, though everyone knows he’s not a real character and he’ll be fully healed by [...]
