Blog: Criminal Defense
- 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 - Maryland courts moving to full operations on April 26
Apr 23, 2021
Beginning April 26, all of Maryland’s courts will resume full operations, including civil and criminal jury trials, according to the court’s website. However, social distancing and preventative health measures will be observed. Currently, the courts are in stage IV of the phased reopening plan which means that courts are hearing non-jury trials and contested hearings in civil, family and juvenile matters and that clerk’s offices are open to the public. Criminal trials with...Read More - Maryland addresses police reform
Apr 14, 2021
As issues of police brutality and the improper use of force during arrests became headlines amid demonstrations across the country last year, at least one state legislative body has decided to confront the issue head on. On Saturday, legislators in Maryland enacted All of this came about over the vetoes of Governor Larry Hogan, who charged that the changes will erode public confidence and lower police morale. Other critics suggested that the reforms...Read More - Do expunged records show up on background checks?
Mar 31, 2021
A criminal record can create difficulties. For example, employers and landlords commonly ask job applicants and rental applicants whether they have ever been convicted of a criminal offense. If the answer is “yes,” many employers will choose not to hire and landlords often chose not to rent to someone with a criminal record. Some of the nation’s largest employers have been sued by current and former employees after background checks revealed criminal records that,...Read More - How do I get my driver’s record expunged?
Mar 19, 2021
Because of an expansion in the law that went into effect in 2017, it’s fairly easy for many types of negative entries to your Maryland driver’s record to be removed. In many instances, they fall off automatically after a certain amount of time has transpired which means that Maryland drivers no longer need to apply for expungement in many, but not all, situations. Expungement refers to the removal of specific entries from a driving...Read More - What are the basics of getting a criminal record in Maryland expunged?
Mar 10, 2021
Expungement is the process of asking the court to remove certain court and police records from public view. It mostly applies to records that did not result in a conviction, but several types of convictions can be expunged. Recent changes in the law have expanded the number of crimes that can be expunged. Described as “the broadest criminal justice legislation in decades,” sentencing guidelines for drug dealers, thieves and other offenders have been reduced...Read More