The pandemic has been difficult for all of us. A new and contagious virus combined with the solitude of staying at home to avoid catching it makes our lives different and more complicated than they have been in the past. It makes sense that many of us are seeking outlets to escape the situations that we find ourselves in. As difficult as the average person has had it, it is without question that medical personnel [...]
If you were to ask the average person what punishments they think of when they hear the words “criminal conviction,” you would likely hear answers like “jail time” or “fines.” Others might mention restitution, or the loss of the right to vote. All of these penalties are, of course, possible – but there are collateral damages to a conviction that you may not know. One such example is the loss of a security clearance. A [...]
Nobody wants an arrest – or charge, or conviction – for driving under the influence (DUI). We go to great lengths to avoid it, from assigning a designated driver to staying sober to calling a rideshare instead. What if these options fall through and you are left alone with your vehicle? You certainly do not want to leave it to chance, so you put your keys in your pocket and decide to “sleep it off” [...]
A road rage incident occurring in Ocean City, Maryland last month almost turned deadly after one of the parties allegedly pulled a knife out during the altercation. According to police reports, the incident began when a driver (we’ll call him “John Doe,” as his name was not released) made a lane change in front of another driver’s car. After the lane change, it is alleged that Scott Williamson followed Doe closely from behind and sped [...]
A former Caroline County deputy is awaiting sentencing towards the end of this month for violating his presentence release terms in November. Steven Biddle pleaded guilty to felony theft in August after allegedly reaching out to several community members and loved ones for exorbitant amounts of money under the false guise of damages for a car accident. Biddle allegedly wore his deputy uniform while requesting at least $100,000 of donations from multiple victims. After voluntarily [...]
Before last year came to a close, one Baltimore Public Works employee wanted to end the year on a high note. The employee was accused of stealing a truck owned by the city with the intention of stealing a bank ATM machine. On December 29, Baltimore County Police received a call around 3:30 a.m. about a burglary at the BB&T bank in Owings Mills. When the officers arrived on the scene, the ATM machine was [...]
Ideally, police pull someone over when they are driving dangerously or otherwise breaking the law. In the case of reckless driving, this is to help protect everyone else from a possible accident and deter the driver from doing it in the future. We know this. It is no secret that it happens, and statistically, it will probably happen to most drivers on the road. What is a secret, however – or rather, what they wish [...]
The most important thing you need to remember if you are arrested – whether you committed a crime or not – is that if you resist through force, you can be charged with another crime. However, it is paramount you understand your rights, as resisting arrest charges are complex and, depending on the circumstances, may be unlawful. Today’s blog discusses the details around resisting arrest, what it entails, and the potential defenses should you be [...]
Legalese is as confusing as it is intimidating. While all the intricacies of the law are in place to make it as fair as possible, it still has the unfortunate result of alienating those it is meant to protect. Of course, pop culture is no help, with how frequently legal language is misused in shows and movies. How many times have you heard murder used interchangeably with homicide? Or that you must be read your [...]
As more and more states legalize recreational marijuana use, it remains unlawful in the state of Maryland. Anything under 10 grams of pot is a civil offense with a $100 fine, and anything under 10 pounds is a misdemeanor that comes along with jail time and a $1,000 fine. Public use can also net you a civil fine of up to 100 dollars. However, public opinion changes over time, and Maryland lawmakers may soon consider [...]
