Criminal

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,…

There are many stages of a criminal case from the arrest, arraignment, and bail hearing to the criminal discovery process, motions to suppress evidence, and plea bargain negotiations. Carey Law Office has over 40 years of experience and advocacy skills to try your case in state and federal courts. Defendants have the right in Maryland…

Being pulled over by the police can be a nerve-wracking experience, but staying calm and following proper protocol can significantly improve your outcome. Today’s blog equips you with comprehensive knowledge and practical steps to manage a traffic stop safely and respectfully. Before you’re stopped Familiarize yourself with Maryland’s traffic laws and your rights during a…

Thanks to film, television, and armchair pundits online, a lot of folks have inaccurate expectations and beliefs about the legal system. This can be detrimental if you’re facing criminal charges, as you may act or behave in ways you think will protect your rights – when in fact, they do anything but. This blog aims…

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…