Criminal

Charged with witness intimidation in Maryland, or worried you might be? These are serious charges. Whether it’s tied to another offense or filed on its own, witness intimidation isn’t just another charge. It can make your situation much worse and seriously limit your legal options. Maryland prosecutors see this as a direct attack on the…

The effects of pulling a trigger are substantial for the person who fired the gun and the person on the receiving end. Given the life-changing consequences involved, it’s no wonder that responsible firearm ownership comes with serious responsibilities and potentially serious legal consequences as well. Even in situations where you believe your actions were justified,…

On September 11, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a controversial bill called the “Stop Illegal Entry Act” (H.R. 3486). Although this name may sound like just another border security measure, the bill, if passed by the Senate and signed into law, could dramatically shift how immigration-related crimes are prosecuted in the United States,…

Body cameras are becoming more common during traffic stops. If you’ve ever wondered how your rights are affected, especially here in Maryland, you’re not alone. Clients often ask whether bodycam footage can be used or suppressed. The fact is, state laws differ. Let’s unpack what Maryland law says, compare it to other states, and help…

Your smartphone is a pocket‑sized diary, photo album, bank, and filing cabinet. When an officer asks for the code that unlocks all that data, the stakes are enormous—not just for the current investigation but for your long‑term privacy and even your future employment. Maryland residents need to know if they can refuse and how the…

An accusation of a criminal act should be taken seriously. While we all want to believe in the integrity of someone who comes forward with such accusations, occasionally, an innocent person gets accused of something they did not do. Such an allegation could have a huge fallout, from losing your job and hurting your career…

Maryland’s incarceration rate is among the highest in the world, with 475 per 100,000 residents behind bars. An average of around 86,000 of these people will be released back into society by the end of the year. These 86,000 people will face multiple challenges while reintegrating, especially when seeking gainful employment. Unfortunately, the stigma that…

What happens when teenagers make mistakes? Not the washing-the-dishes-late kind of mistake. We’re talking bigger stuff here. A fight at school that got out of hand, or getting caught doing something they weren’t supposed to. Are they locked up like adults and branded for life? Not exactly. Maryland handles things differently and honestly, in a…

Americans are guaranteed the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment. However, that doesn’t apply to Marylanders who’ve been convicted of specific crimes. Losing your gun rights after a criminal conviction can feel like losing a fundamental part of your personal freedom. However, in Maryland, there are ways to restore those rights, although the…

Did you know that if you’ve ever been arrested, even if you weren’t convicted, that record can follow you? Employers, landlords, and even potential dates can find it with a quick background check, and that can cause any number of problems. But in Maryland, you may have the option to seal your arrest record, giving…

Have you been charged with a heroin-related crime in Maryland? If so, you need to understand the difference between possession and trafficking. These charges might sound similar, but they affect your life, freedom, and future differently. Today, we want to walk you through the key differences between each and explain what you should know about…

Have you or a loved one been arrested in Maryland? You’re probably wondering about bail. Bail is the amount of money or property you must put up to be released from jail while awaiting trial. But what if the bail the court sets is more than you have or can afford? Are there any ways…

In the first few moments after getting arrested, your mind is probably racing. You might be asking yourself, “What just happened? What should I do now? Who should I call?” It’s absolutely normal to feel overwhelmed by emotions, but how you respond after an arrest can affect your case. At Carey Law Office, we’ve seen…

Artificial intelligence (AI) and other evolving technologies have opened the door to new forms of white-collar crime. At the same time, it’s allowing investigators to identify criminal activities and file charges for these new types of violations. One good example of a novel type of crime took place in April 2024, when a Maryland athletic…

Violent crime remains common throughout Maryland, although crime rates vary according to jurisdiction. Crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault are grave concerns in many of the state’s higher population areas, including Baltimore. Maryland’s violent crime rate is 5.3 incidents per 1,000 people, 34 percent higher than the national rate of 4.0 and…

When an immigrant is charged with a crime, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) files a detainer with law enforcement, asking them to keep the person incarcerated under federal officials assuming custody. As a result, a non-citizen’s immigration status may be significantly impacted by criminal charges, even if the charges did not result in a…

Expert witnesses play a critical role in criminal trials, providing specialized knowledge to help the court understand complex evidence and issues beyond the average person’s understanding. Despite being hired by one side of the litigation, they must be impartial and objective because they are bound by professional and ethical standards to base their testimony strictly…

The bail process in Maryland involves several steps to determine whether a defendant can be released from custody while awaiting trial and under what conditions. Here’s a general overview of how it works: Arrest and initial detention: After an arrest, the defendant is typically taken to a police station, booked, and held until a bail…

A new website has recently been created in Maryland to help identify and combat hate crimes across the state. This website has raised concerns and curiosity about the implications of being accused of a hate crime. Accusations of hate crimes are serious, and in today’s society, individuals are often presumed guilty by the public, even…

Maryland recently passed two bills that would regulate how law enforcement officers use facial recognition technology during investigations of certain types of crimes. The bills elaborate and describe various requirements for facial recognition, which are said to be the strongest in any state across the United States. These new rules and regulations are being put…

Trust and confidentiality are crucial when working with a criminal defense attorney in Bowie or Dunkirk. Certain discussions during the legal process require a high level of privacy, and attorney-client privilege works to protect this confidentiality. Attorney-client privilege is important because, without it, clients would be afraid to speak openly with their lawyers, which could…

Most serious criminal cases (where a prison sentence is likely after conviction) are decided by juries. Juries are generally chosen from the community where the defendant lives. In state court cases, juries are chosen from the county where the defendant lives. In federal cases, the jurors are chosen from several nearby counties. Since jurors decide…

Many Maryland workers need to obtain security clearances to view and handle classified documents as part of their job. The loss of the proper security clearance can mean the loss of your job. A criminal record may affect your security clearance. Often, the best way to keep your security clearance is to obtain a dismissal…

When a car accident happens in Maryland, the police should be called to the scene of the accident. The police clear traffic, obtain each driver’s relevant information (driver’s license, insurance policies, and other information), and tend to anyone who is injured; then, they’ll investigate how the accident happened. If the police believe a crime occurred,…

Today, Maryland Governor Wes Moore is signing an executive order that will pardon approximately 175,000 misdemeanor marijuana charges. This is the largest blanket pardon at the state level to date, and the only pardon that includes misdemeanor convictions for possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, as well as misdemeanor possession convictions. Per AP News,…