Blog: Criminal Defense
- Inaccurate roadside drug tests have led to wrongful arrests
Mar 18, 2024
About 1.5 million people are arrested on drug charges every year, and approximately 773,000 of them are taken into custody after a drug field test identified a substance in their possession as a controlled substance. Field drug testing kits are used by Maryland law enforcement agencies because they are easy to use and inexpensive. They are also highly unreliable. According to a report released by the University of Pennsylvania in January 2024, about 30,000 people...Read More - Maryland Dentist Pleads Guilty to Stealing Almost $9 Million Dollars from Medicaid
Mar 11, 2024
A Potomac, Maryland dentist has been sentenced for the According to a press statement from the Attorney General’s office, the dentist accomplished the “fraud scheme” by using the names, provider numbers and professional credentials of other dentists to submit invoices. The man was accused of submitting claims to Medicaid from 2015 to 2022. He allegedly used the name, Medicaid provider number, and credentials of his twin brother, younger brother, and nephew, all of...Read More - Organized retail theft stories based on inaccurate information
Mar 6, 2024
Maryland residents have likely seen or read media stories about an alarming rise in organized retail theft. These reports describe how criminal gangs are using online marketplaces to sell items stolen from stores. The basis for many of these media stories was a report released in 2022 by the National Retail Federation. In the report, the retail trade association said organized retail theft cost the industry $45 billion in 2021. The NRE has since retracted...Read More - Age of Consent
Mar 4, 2024
A scandal involving a This incident has sparked discussions about the age of consent — the age at which an individual is considered legally competent to consent to sexual activity. The age of consent ranges from 16 to 18 throughout the United States. In Maryland, the However, there are Penalties The charges for violating Maryland’s sexual consent laws can range from statutory rape, which is a felony and...Read More - Criminal convictions and consequences
Dec 21, 2023
Persons convicted of a crime may face jail time and fines. However, that is not the full extent of the ramifications of running afoul in the criminal justice system in Maryland. Various other consequences might follow for someone who faces criminal charges. Such might be the case even when the charges lack credibility. Troubles that having a criminal record can cause After being convicted of a crime, a permanent criminal record will be...Read More - What is revenge porn? Understanding Maryland’s “revenge porn” laws
Dec 19, 2023
Maryland has laws making it a criminal offense to share sexually explicit photos and videos without consent. Also known as “revenge porn,” this illegal content often gets posted online by ex-partners or hackers aiming to emotionally harm and humiliate the person depicted. The Old Line State has had its own issues with revenge porn. The mayor of a small town in Maryland was recently charged with several counts of posting revenge porn. Maryland...Read More - Financial Aid options with a felony conviction
Dec 5, 2023
College students often use their newfound freedom to test their limits and explore less-than-savory activities, often with negative consequences. Getting arrested during college can significantly impact their educational and professional pursuits. However, with new laws in effect, students living with a felony in Maryland may have better options than ever to pursue and maintain higher education opportunities. Students and felony crimes Many Until recently, people who were convicted of ...Read More - Maryland Changes Laws to Allow More Child Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Oct 3, 2023
A new law that went into effect on October 1, 2023 allows survivors of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits against their abusers and the institutions that enabled them, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. The “Child Victims Act” was A key driver behind the new law was the release in January 2023 of a scathing 463-page report by the Maryland Attorney General’s office, which revealed that over 150...Read More - Maryland Reduces Waiting Periods for Criminal Record Expungements
Oct 2, 2023
A new Maryland law shortening the waiting periods before certain criminal convictions can be Known as the “REDEEM Act of 2023,” the bill was signed into law earlier this year. Supporters say the measure provides a better chance at redemption for those with past nonviolent offenses. Under previous Maryland law, misdemeanor convictions could only be expunged 10 years after completion of a sentence. Felonies required a 15-year waiting period. The REDEEM Act...Read More - What to Expect at Your Maryland Arraignment Hearing
Sep 18, 2023
If you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime in Maryland, one of the first steps in the legal process is the arraignment hearing. This hearing marks the start of your criminal case in Maryland. The arraignment typically takes place within 24 hours after an arrest. The hearing itself is straightforward—you will be presented with the criminal charges filed against you. The judge reads the charges out loud and provides you with a copy...Read More