The emoticon was born on September 19, 1982 when Professor Scott Fahlman of Carnegie Mellon suggested using the keyboard symbols :-) and :-( to express emotions online. This caught on, spread around the country, and eventually we were all using emoticons. However, beyond simple emojis like that, interpretations of other emojis can be rather subjective. In an interview with The Verge, Santa Clara University law professor Eric Goldman points out, “Emoji usually have dialects. They [...]

The Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution provides “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining [...]

On Wednesday, February 20, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled unanimously that states cannot impose excessive fees, fines, or forfeitures as criminal penalties. This decision clarifies that the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits excessive fines, applies to states as well as the federal government. The ability of authorities to seize private property used in a crime – civil asset forfeiture – has become a revenue source for states, as well as a way to [...]

If you are the defendant in a criminal case, you may have numerous questions involving the court process and the charges filed against you. To many defendants, interaction with the criminal justice system is brand-new, other than what they have seen over television or in a movie. The reality is very different from the make-believe, and many people think that what they see on TV is what actually happens. We wanted to clear up some [...]

Retailers face a serious problem when it comes to shoplifting. The costs run into the billions of dollars per year. In order to get this lost money back, many companies have opted for aggressive legal tactics that leverage existing state laws. These efforts utilize questionable tactics to obtain restitution, and even pursue individuals who were never convicted of the shoplifting allegation. One of these companies is Walmart, the world-renowned retail giant. According to a New [...]

Expungement is a process that allows you to petition the court for the removal of specific types of police and court records, shielding them from public view. In the state of Maryland, you can have your records expunged from court files, police files, and Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) files. There is a specific filing process to be followed with each agency. If you qualify for expungement in a particular case, those records will be protected [...]

Homicide rates in major cities across the U.S. appear to be on the decline this year after increasing over the last few years, according to a recent New York Times article. The report indicates that by the time statistics are available for the entire year, the murder rate should be about 4 to 5% lower across the nation, compared to 2017. According to the Times report, fewer homicides occur in the U.S. each year when [...]

The Statute of Limitations is the time after which the government is prevented from charging someone with the commission of a crime. Most crimes have statutes of limitations for several reasons. There is concern that memories fade with time. Physical evidence may deteriorate with time. If cases aren’t filed within the statute of limitations, the case is forever barred. In cases of sexual assault, rape and other crimes, many victims (according to the Rape, Abuse [...]