Blog: Criminal Defense
- Ocean City parking lot assault leads to serious charges
Jul 31, 2020
When Ocean City area residents find themselves in serious trouble, they often don’t know what they should do. Although people generally obey the law sometimes, they find themselves on the other side facing a criminal justice system that appears to have it in for them. It is important for a defendant to understand that they have the legal right to defend themselves. A recent assault in Ocean City has led to a man facing serious...Read More - Underage drinking and fake ID laws
Jul 28, 2020
Summer is here and warm weather activities often involve alcohol, especially in water adjacent communities such as Ocean City, Maryland. However, like many states, Maryland does have a legal drinking age. It is illegal for a person under the age of 21 to possess or consume an alcoholic beverage. Those under the age of 21 who are found to have purchased, possessed or consumed alcohol, face a fine of $500 for the first offense and...Read More - You have important legal rights if you are arrested
Jun 23, 2020
Everyone has rights if they are arrested. These rights may be an important part of your Police can arrest you with a valid arrest warrant. They must tell you about that warrant and show it to you during the arrest or promptly afterward. When police arrest you in your home, they should inform you about their purpose and authority unless they believe that this notification will allow you to attempt to escape, destroy...Read More - Disturbing the peace
Jun 3, 2020
Protests are a big part of the headlines these days. One of the charges that can be levelled against protesters and other citizens by law enforcement is disturbing the peace. Disturbing the peace is a criminal offense that occurs when a person engages in some form of unruly public behavior such as fighting or causing extremely loud noises. The charge is quite similar to disorderly conduct and is found in the same ...Read More - Ocean City summer crowds could see disorderly conduct charges
May 19, 2020
With the recent loosening of the restrictions put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic and with summer fast approaching, Marylanders are flocking to the beaches and entertainment venues of Ocean City, Maryland. When people congregate in groups, whether large or small, disorderly conduct can follow. Disorderly conduct is a common charge in a coastal town like Ocean City, Maryland which sees an influx of tourists in the summer seeking sun and fun and...Read More - Maryland police have responded to hundreds of calls alleging violation of “stay at home” order
Apr 7, 2020
Local and state law enforcement officers have responded to more than 400 calls claiming violations of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s March 30 stay-at-home order intended to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, the Violators face up to $5,000 fine in fines and up to one year in prison. The charge is a misdemeanor. The order is the latest attempt by the governor to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus among Maryland residents...Read More - Maryland courts providing limited services during pandemic
Mar 30, 2020
UPDATE April 20, 2020 Maryland courts and administrative offices are providing The Court of Appeals will only be handling election law matters, petitions for writs of mandamus, certified questions of law, quarantine and isolation matters. The Court of Special Appeals will only be handling requests for injunctive relief pending appeal, appeals in cases in which a lack of action would result in a dispositive outcome, appeals from quarantine and isolation petitions...Read More - Police had probable cause for man’s arrest that started with not wearing a seat belt
Dec 9, 2019
A “traffic initiative” that involved police observing cars stopped at a red light for certain legal violations was not a traffic checkpoint so that there was no intrusion on a Baltimore man’s constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals recently ruled. While conducting an effort to find vehicle violations involving lack of seatbelt use and cellphone use while driving, seven officers from the Baltimore City Police Department were stationed...Read More - Appeals Court Throws Out Woman’s Drug Conviction Because of Strip Search Conducted on the Side of a Busy Highway
Aug 16, 2019
The Fourth Amendment grants the right to be free from unreasonable searches. Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals recently made an important ruling in a case dealing with whether the physical search of a woman in daylight hours on the side of a busy highway was proper. The non-exigent – meaning a search that isn’t urgent — visual inspection of the genital area of a person suspected of concealing controlled dangerous substances, in daylight, while...Read More - Maryland Attorney General Warns About Impostor Law Enforcement Scam
Jun 11, 2019
Thieves posing as Maryland law enforcement officers are swindling Maryland residents by threatening them with arrest for missing jury duty or failing to appear as witnesses, Maryland’s Attorney General has recently warned. Consumers in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County and Howard County have reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be from the local police department or sheriff’s office to inform them that they have missed a court date. In some instances,...Read More