Posts by Joseph Carey
The Risks of Interlock Ignition Devices
Maryland requires some drivers who are found guilty of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle. Additionally, drivers can be required to use an IID due to an administrative suspension, or as part of their eligibility for a work permit license. According to the…
Read MoreStatute of Limitations & Uninsured Motorist Claims
We have car insurance to protect ourselves (and others) financially in the event of an accident. It prevents us from having to pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses, vehicle damages, and other costs after a car wreck. One form of auto insurance available is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Uninsured motorist coverage is meant to cover your…
Read MoreMaryland Appeals Court Rules the State Cannot Force Retroactive Sex Offender Registration
Maryland passed its first sex offender registration law in 1995. That law applied to all crimes committed after October 1, 1995. The law was amended several times between 2001 and 20010 to require that sex offender registration be retroactive. The 2010 amendment specifically created a se offender tier classification system. Tier III sex offenders, the…
Read MoreDoes the Chief Judge of the highest court of Maryland have the legal authority to suspend a Statute of Limitations in the Maryland Code due to a health emergency for an entire community?
Although we have never been in this situation before, I would say that the answer is probably yes. In Maryland (as in other jurisdictions), the statute of limitations is “procedural.” Doughty v. Prettyman, 219 Md. 83, 88 (1959). Further, Article IV, § 18(a) of the Maryland Constitution provides: The Court of Appeals from time to…
Read MoreAre Maryland’s “Stay At Home” Orders Constitutional?
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many governors across the nation are signing executive orders regarding sheltering in place and staying at home – prohibiting large gatherings, public meetings, and requiring closings of non-essential businesses. When Governor Larry Hogan issued his Stay at Home Order on March 30, he said, “This is a deadly public health…
Read MoreThe Maryland Criminal Justice System during the Coronavirus Crisis
The COVID-19 health crisis has changed the ways the Maryland criminal courts and other courts and agencies operate. Many courts and agencies have suspended services which affect the rights of those with pending cases, those with outstanding charges, and those who need to use the agencies to restore their licenses and start their life again.…
Read MoreShoplifting Offenses and the Juvenile Justice System in Maryland
When someone under the age of 18 commits a crime, they’re not dealt with through the adult criminal justice system, but through the juvenile justice system instead. Here in Maryland, the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) has its own intake, court, prosecutors, detention, and rules. However, a criminal offense is still a criminal offense, and…
Read MoreHow Do I Get My Driver’s License Back after a DUI in Maryland?
As we all know, Maryland and the entire country has laws that intend to keep drunk drivers off the road. If someone intentionally breaks these laws and is convicted of DUI or DWI, their driver’s license can be indefinitely suspended or revoked. Once this has happened to you, after you have served the conditions of…
Read MoreThe Sex Offender Registry in Maryland – Frequently Asked Questions
The national sex offender registry is a public list used for the purpose of identifying individuals convicted of sex crimes. Every state, including Maryland, has its own registry and procedures, and anyone convicted of a sex crime is required to register in the state in which they live and work. The sex offender registry is…
Read MoreHow to Obtain a Restricted Driver’s License
After a DUI conviction or motor vehicle violation, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Association (MVA) will take steps to revoke or suspend your driver’s license. However, you may be eligible for a restricted license instead of having your license suspended or revoked. A restricted license is a way for you to continue to drive for the…
Read MoreThe Opioid Epidemic, Overdoses, and Homicide Law
In 2015, a young woman named Jamie Maynard gave a small amount of heroin to an acquaintance, Courtney Penix, who later overdosed and died. Maynard was not a dealer or trafficker, but an addict trying to help out another addict. As authorities investigated, Maynard found herself swept up in the prosecution’s zeal to punish everyone…
Read MoreWill I Lose My Professional License after a DUI or DWI?
If you’re convicted of a DUI, the immediate consequences that might come to mind would be a criminal record and loss of your driver’s license. However, for many people, the stakes can be even higher – a loss of professional license. Losing your professional license can cost you your job, future employment opportunities and the…
Read MoreWhy Sometimes a Plea Bargain May Be the Right Choice
A criminal record is a criminal record, and even a misdemeanor charge can have some chilling effects on the way you live your life. That being said, however, there are occasions when agreeing to a lesser charge may be your best and only option. For example, if you admit to a crime that you actually…
Read MoreJoseph E. Carey Named to Maryland Super Lawyers List for 2020
Congratulations to Joseph Carey on his inclusion on the 2020 Super Lawyers list for the top-rated personal injury attorneys in Maryland. Attorney Carey has represented hundreds of clients in a wide range of claims, from MVA infractions to cases heard by the Supreme Court of the United States. About Super Lawyers Super Lawyers is a…
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