Blog: Criminal Defense
- What is the “fruit of the poisonous tree?”
Mar 18, 2022
Not all evidence is admissible in court. In instances where police misconduct is suspected, several rules prevent the evidence from being used against a defendant facing criminal charges. The exclusionary rule allows courts to exclude evidence at trial if it was obtained in violation of the Constitution. The exclusionary rule often comes into play when there is a violation of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures...Read More - How many points is a speeding ticket in Maryland?
Feb 14, 2022
In Maryland, there is not one answer. It depends. If you are traveling 1-9 miles per hour over the speed limit, you would be assessed 1 point upon conviction. That goes up to 3 points if you are speeding and involved in an accident. If you are traveling 10-19 miles per hour over the speed limit, it is 2 points. This also carries 3 points if there is an accident. If you...Read More - How to avoid Violation of Probation
Feb 11, 2022
So, you’ve been arrested, convicted, and placed on probation to the Court. What now? When you were sentenced and placed on a period of probation, you signed an Order setting forth certain responsibilities and obligations the Judge imposed. Failure to comply with ANY of those requirements can result in a warrant for your arrest for Violation of Probation (VOP). Your probation agent monitors your compliance with the conditions. A few of the standard...Read More - Teen accused of stealing car
Jan 26, 2022
A teenage boy in Maryland was accused of car theft and unlawful possession of a firearm. Police in Glen Burnie detained the 15-year-old boy on Jan. 5 when he was allegedly found to be in possession of a loaded gun. Police said that they were also looking for a second suspect in the reported car theft. Reported car theft According to police, a witness reported a The police officer who responded...Read More - Are Americans leaning towards more lenient sentencing?
Dec 15, 2021
Public sentiment about punishing criminal behavior may change depending on many factors. Many more people feel willing to explore criminal justice reform steps that reduce penalties in the current climate. How widespread such feelings are might be debatable. Reports suggest the public is evenly divided about sentencing matters. Some feel the courts should impose harsher sentences, while others prefer less punitive sentences. How a Maryland judge, jury, and prosecutor approach sentencing may center on the...Read More - Maryland officials cracking down on distracted driving
Nov 9, 2021
The Maryland Highway Safety Office has launched a huge One of the areas of interest in the campaign is distracted driving. Distracted driving occurs in Ocean City and other parts of the country when a driver performs activities while driving such as talking on a cellphone, sending a text or eating. Cell phone use is one of the leading causes of distracted driving and is a leading cause of auto accidents, according...Read More - 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