Blog: Criminal Defense

Nov 16, 2022

It is common for married couples to engage in sexual activity willingly, and the intimacy it provides is essential to marriage. Living separately for 12 months without cohabitation or sexual relations is a legal ground for divorce in Maryland. However, one spouse cannot force sex on the other in any way, shape, or form. That spouse could end up being charged with marital rape, earning a prison sentence. Understanding marital rape According to...

Maryland’s new cannabis law makes expungement easier

Nov 14, 2022

Maryland voters have Public smoking of cannabis is not allowed. In addition, individuals are allowed to grow a few plants as long as the greenery is kept out of public view. The new law also makes it easier for people charged or convicted of simple possession to clear their records through expungement and pardons. Expungement Expungement is the process of asking the court to remove certain court and police records...

Court: Crime of Identity Theft Can’t Be Expunged

Nov 10, 2022

The circuit court made a mistake when it granted a Maryland woman’s request to get a conviction for identity theft expunged, according to a recent ruling from the Court of Special Appeals. The appeals court said the crime isn’t eligible for erasure from the records. Expungement requested The petitioner, Ms. H, pleaded guilty to one count of identity theft by obtaining personal identifying information in violation of Maryland law in 2012. The court...

What is a Plea Agreement? (Video)

Nov 9, 2022

You’ll be able to keep up with the series here on our website, or on our Transcript Okay Mike, what is a plea agreement? A plea agreement is something in a case that is often advisable for some of our clients. Let me give you an example, when we get any sort of criminal case or serious traffic case, the first thing we do after talking to the...

What is solicitation and how do you defend against it?

Oct 20, 2022

Solicitation is when one person has someone else commit crimes on their behalf. The individual is still guilty even though they never directly committed a crime in Maryland or elsewhere. What constitutes solicitation? The act of soliciting may come in the form of a direct request or even an outright demand. In other cases, the person can merely encourage another person to commit the crime. The specific criteria for The...

Can I press charges against someone for false accusations?

Oct 4, 2022

Someone accuses you of a criminal act, whether they publish a statement on social media or file a police report, they can cause real harm to you. Obviously, the Maryland police will do their best to investigate allegations of criminal activity. They may question your family and neighbors and arrest you during that process. You may have even had to go to court to prove your innocence. Now that you have successfully demonstrated that...

Why a PBJ may be the best result for your case

Aug 24, 2022

Everyone charged with a crime in Maryland is concerned about the potential outcome, especially those with no prior criminal record. These defendants in Maryland are prime candidates for a PBJ offer from the court, which is also known technically in the Maryland statutes as a “probation before judgment” court order. It is similar to a deferred judgment in other states. How PBJ works After defendants are arraigned in court, case negotiations begin. Almost...

Penalties for violating Maryland implied consent laws

Aug 10, 2022

If Maryland authorities believe that you’re driving under the influence of alcohol, you may be asked to take a Breathalyzer or other sobriety tests. Although you have the right to refuse such a request, you may face a variety of penalties for doing so. Refusing a chemical test violates implied consent laws When you obtained your license, you agreed to submit to a blood, urine or Breathalyzer test if asked to do so...

New Video Series! Ask an Attorney Featuring Michael Walls

Jun 27, 2022

We’re debuting the first two episodes of our new video series “Ask an Attorney”. You’ll be able to keep up with the series here on our website, or on our Introducing Attorney Michael Walls Transcript Hi, I’m Attorney Mike Walls from Maronick Law offices. We’re here to answer your questions! [Assistant] Alright Mike, how long have you practiced Criminal Law, and how much of your case load...

Explaining the Penalties for Violating Ocean City’s “Special Event Zones”

May 27, 2022

We are proud to be a statewide Maryland law firm and to be the go-to criminal defense and DUI law firm, as the best-reviewed firm with a local office in Ocean City. We constantly are getting locals and visitors asking us about the “special event zones.” Why can you suddenly go to jail for certain offenses that may seem minor? Why are you paying a higher fine for something as seemingly tame as speeding? The...