Blog: Criminal Defense
- What is Probable Cause?
Oct 1, 2021
Before police make an arrest, conduct a search or obtain a warrant, they must have probable cause. The term “probable cause” is found in the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution’s protection against unreasonable government searches and seizures. Courts in Maryland look at the totality of circumstances – meaning everything that the arresting officers knew or reasonably believed at the time of the arrest – when determining whether or not it was reasonable for...Read More - Expunging criminal records can help in obtaining jobs, housing and education
Sep 27, 2021
A criminal conviction can create difficulties when applying for a job or an apartment because employers and landlords often ask about a person’s criminal record. In many instances, the severity and the age of the criminal conviction doesn’t matter. Online retail giant Amazon was sued by a group of drivers who said they were fired when a background check showed criminal charges that were minor and 10 years old. The best way to...Read More - Ocean City, Maryland Police Report Hefty Increase in Weapons Violations
Aug 24, 2021
A report on police activity in Ocean City for June 2021 has highlighted a significant increase in arrests dealing with weapons violations, according to the In May, there were 111 weapons arrests, compared to 73 in 2020 and 40 in 2019. Of the weapons arrests, 59 were for knives and 34 were for firearms. In one instance, a patrol officer responding to a disturbance saw a 19-year-old Baltimore man in the back...Read More - Open alcohol container and possession in public can lead to trouble in Ocean City
Aug 2, 2021
Ocean City, Maryland takes public alcohol consumption seriously. Drinking alcoholic beverages in public is prohibited in the seaside Maryland city under the town’s code. This includes any alleyway, avenue, beach, parking lot, sidewalk, street and vehicle in any of these areas. A violation may result in an arrest. In 2007, Ocean City police officers made 444 arrests for open container violations with an additional 248 citations given for the offense. In 2006 and 2007,...Read More - Disorderly conduct charges in Ocean City expected to increase this summer
Jul 9, 2021
Disorderly conduct calls are often the leading reason for police calls in Ocean City, Maryland in the summer when tourists and Marylanders flock to the town to spend time at the beaches. This summer with everyone anxious to get out after more than a year of pandemic-related restrictions, crowds and the kind of behavior that can lead to disorderly conduct charges is expected to reach all-time highs. Disorderly conduct can be a bit of...Read More - Ocean City man charged with disturbing the peace
Jul 7, 2021
A man in Ocean City, Maryland charged last summer with numerous counts of disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct after blasting music from speakers on the Boardwalk, has pleaded not guilty to all counts and was granted probation before judgment on the other charges. The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) received numerous complaints from citizens and businesses about loud music being played on the Boardwalk by the man last summer. He had set up...Read More - Baltimore man in Ocean City, Maryland charged with assault
Jun 11, 2021
A Baltimore man in Ocean City, Maryland was recently charged with assault because of his actions in the Maryland seaside town. Ocean City police were called about a disturbance on 34th Street near the Coastal Highway and saw a man on the sidewalk looking up at a couple on a second-floor condo balcony and pointing a handgun at them, according to a news report. Last year, four suspects were charged with armed robbery and...Read More - What is evidence suppression?
Jun 4, 2021
Evidence at a trial in Maryland is crucial for the prosecution to convict a defendant. However, it doesn’t mean that all the evidence presented can be used against the defendant. Prosecutors must present relevant and competent evidence, meaning evidence that has been obtained legally and relates to the charge. Motion to suppress To prevent evidence from getting used in court, the criminal defense must file a motion to suppress with federal or state...Read More - Law enforcement officer accused of sex offenses involving minor
May 10, 2021
Being accused of sex offenses in Maryland can present a seemingly endless series of concerns and potential problems. The stigma surrounding these allegations is extensive and can lead to incarceration, lost employment, family difficulties, a negative perception in the community and other issues. If the person who is accused is in a position of prominence or power such as law enforcement, it is imperative to formulate a viable defense immediately to try and avert the...Read More - Smell of marijuana doesn’t justify police stops, Maryland court rules
May 10, 2021
The smell of marijuana alone is not enough to provide reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, and as a result, a stop based on this circumstance alone is unreasonable, Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals has ruled. “We hold that the odor of marijuana, by itself, does not provide reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, and therefore, a stop based on this circumstance alone is unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment,” Maryland’s intermediate appellate court said in reversing...Read More