Criminal

White-collar crime is a category of non-violent offenses typically committed by individuals or entities in the context of business, finance, or professional settings. Unlike traditional “street” crimes, white-collar crimes are characterized by their deceptive or fraudulent nature, often involving schemes to obtain financial gain through illegal means. Following is a discussion of some of the…

In November 2021, a 15-year-old child brought a gun into school; he killed four students and injured another seven. He pled guilty to 24 criminal charges including first-degree murder and terrorism. His name is Ethan Crumbley, and he admitted to killing those other children. Jennifer Crumbley is his mother. She didn’t shoot anyone, but a…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used for many different reasons – many exciting and many terrifying. One use of AI is to recognize a person’s face. The core ideas are that software developers: Design programs that start with a current face, such as the face a person presents to a security system or a face…

In Maryland, a judge may order that a defendant who is charged with a DUI (driving under the influence), a DWI (driving while intoxicated), or another alcohol/drug-related offense undergo a substance abuse evaluation. This evaluation is used to evaluate if the defendant has a substance abuse disorder and what treatment plan should be ordered depending…

The Maryland Child Interrogation Protection Act went into effect on October 1, 2022. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Act protects children/juveniles in several ways: There is a requirement that the child be able to consult with a lawyer when he/she is taken into custody unless there is a public safety emergency.…

The world of virtual reality may be moving too fast. Most people understand that when they play a virtual game, that the characters aren’t really hurt or killed. You can just end the game and start playing a new one. It’s like the old Road Runner cartoons where Wile E. Coyote always ends up being…

The results of a breathalyzer test can affect what criminal charges are filed against you and can affect your driving privileges. In most drunk driving cases, the breathalyzer test is the key evidence against a driver. If the results of the breathalyzer test can be excluded, many defendants can walk away from the charges and…

In Maryland, some criminal records can be expunged and some cannot. Expungement essentially means that your criminal record is deleted or erased from court records and law enforcement records. Defendants often seek to have their records expunged so any convictions, arrests, or other resolution of the criminal charges in their case cannot be used against…

The term “statute of limitations” indicates the limited period during which an injured person can file a lawsuit against someone who harmed them. The statute of limitations for criminal charges in Maryland varies according to the specific crime. Some crimes in Maryland have no statute of limitations, which means that charges can be filed at…

In 1991, George Holliday recorded four white Los Angeles Police Department officers beating Black motorist Rodney King and submitted the video to the local news. Although filming police on the job was rare in the early 1990s, it has become common now, due to advances in technology and the widespread use of smartphones. Filming the…

A PIT maneuver (Precision Immobilization Technique, Pursuit Intervention Technique, or Precision Intervention Tactic) is a law enforcement practice used to stop fleeing vehicles while exposing the driver, police and the public to minimal risk. While PIT maneuvers are considered standard procedures by most U.S. police departments, they have been banned in the UK and other…

While they may be fun or seem harmless to the poster, some online pranks can harm other people. They can also use up valuable police resources until the police determine what is true and what is false. A few recent examples illustrate that youngsters, teenagers, and adults of all ages need to understand that social…

Did you know you can be arrested for a felony assault at any time here in Maryland, no matter when it occurred? The reason for this is because Maryland has no statute of limitations on felony grade assault crimes. But what is a statute of limitations? In the realm of criminal law, statutes of limitations…

Not only Maryland, but all states should mandate recording of all interrogations. It is shocking, with the accessibility and ease of recording technology today, that such a serious legal matter as a criminal interrogation cannot be recorded for reference purposes; but this is the reality in the United States today. According to an October 2022…

The US Supreme Court ruled on June 27, 2023, in a 7-2 decision, that statements that qualify as “true threats” are not protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution – unless the government can show that the defendant who made the statements had some understanding of the threatening nature of the threats. This…

If you find yourself in a criminal situation, it is crucial to understand – and assert – your rights to protect yourself. One of the most fundamental rights you have in the United States is Miranda Rights, and it is vital you know what these are. These rights, established by the landmark Supreme Court case…

When facing criminal charges, a strong defense strategy is essential for protecting your rights, ensuring a fair trial, and achieving the best possible outcome. A well-crafted defense strategy takes into account the specific circumstances of your case, examines the evidence, and aims to challenge the prosecution’s case. Today we want to discuss the elements of…

The Maryland Appellate Court, Maryland’s second-highest court, ruled recently that a man who had a federal misdemeanor conviction on his criminal record since 1999 was properly denied a handgun qualification license based on Maryland law. The case is likely to affect more than the right of Maryland residents to own a gun. If you need…

Many states still struggle with identifying and treating mental illness of those who commit crimes rather than resorting to incarceration—and Maryland is unfortunately one of them. In this day and age, most people have become aware of how the mental health status of a defendant can significantly impact the outcome of their criminal charges. Despite…

Most drug possession crimes in Maryland are prosecuted at the state level. However, they can sometimes be bumped to federal charges in certain scenarios. Something like getting caught with drugs while on federal property can result in serious legal consequences, including hefty fines and long prison sentences. When it comes to battling a drug charge…

Working in certain roles for the federal government requires you to apply for security clearance, as many positions may involve access to classified information. The process of vetting employees who apply for clearance is designed to ensure that those who work in these positions are trustworthy and reliable. Even after you receive security clearance, you…

After police wrongly raided his home last summer, rap artist Afroman decided to make light of his losses and release an album and videos using home footage of the situation. Now, he’s facing charges from seven of the officers involved in the raid, citing invasion of privacy and public humiliation. What kind of recourse do…

It has become very common for people to record important things happening in their lives. In fact, you cannot go anywhere without seeing someone pulling out their camera or cell phone to record something. Therefore, when a crime is occurring either to you or to another person, one of your first impulses may be to…

Spend any time on social media and you’re bound to run into them: the so-called Constitutional scholars who earned their stripes listening to news shows or following attorneys on Twitter. We used to think that these folks were harmless, and perhaps they are – but we’re seeing some disturbing trends when it comes to understanding…

It can be very intimidating going to your first court hearing and you may be worried about what to do and what to say. When you appear in court in Maryland, it is important to present yourself in a way that gives the judge or jury a good impression—and it does play a factor in…