When the Police Want Your Digital Devices: Search & Seizure of Phones and Laptops in Maryland
Federal, state, and local law enforcement may seek to examine your phone, laptop, desktop, and other digital devices if they have reason to believe you committed a criminal offense. If the police seek to examine your digital devices before, during, or after an arrest, you should immediately ask to speak to a criminal defense lawyer.…
Read MoreHow Maryland’s New Technology-Driven Evidence (Body-Cams, AI, Drone Video) Is Changing Criminal Cases
The way police investigate crimes is rapidly changing as technology advances. Maryland and local police are using body-cams to video record police interactions with the public, including those who are arrested for crimes. Drones are being used to conduct surveillance of local communities. The police are also using artificial intelligence to conduct investigations. At Carey…
Read MoreUnderage Drinking, Social Hosting & Maryland’s Laws: What Parents Should Know
Many parents don’t realize just how frequently teens get access to alcohol, sometimes even under adult supervision. Hosting young people for a party at your home can put your family at legal risk, even if you didn’t buy or provide alcohol, or even know it was being consumed. Maryland’s laws are strict, and you could…
Read MoreJuvenile Cyber Crimes in Maryland: What Happens When Your Teen Is Charged for Hacking or Sexting?
It’s normal for teens in Maryland to spend hours online – streaming, gaming, and messaging with friends, but parents need to be aware of the potential dangers their children are facing or, in some unfortunate cases, causing. Many parents are surprised when chatting, posting images, or pranking crosses the blurry line into actual criminal conduct,…
Read MoreArraignment and Bail in Maryland: What to Expect in Anne Arundel, Calvert & Prince George’s
In Anne Arundel, Calvert, Prince George’s, and throughout Maryland, bail hearings and arraignments are important parts of the criminal process. Both involve court appearances and happen early in the process, but they are not necessarily the same. A bail hearing typically occurs first, shortly after an arrest, while the formal arraignment can occur a bit…
Read MoreCan Police Search Your Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker in Maryland?
Today’s world is a digital one, and it has crept into the area of criminal defense and the criminal justice system. From emails to text messages to social media posts, digital evidence is becoming more and more important in criminal cases today. Law enforcement and the prosecution today rely more heavily on the information obtained…
Read MoreWhat Happens If Your CDL Is Suspended Due to a Maryland DUI/DWI?
If you drive for a living, a DUI or DWI charge in Maryland carries extra weight beyond ordinary legal trouble. Commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders are held to higher safety standards than most other drivers, and even one incident involving alcohol or drugs can have far-reaching consequences. Unlike minor traffic tickets, a DUI or DWI…
Read MoreGun‑Rights Restoration After a Maryland Conviction: What You Need to Know
In Maryland, certain criminal convictions mean losing your right to own or possess a firearm. For many people with a criminal record, restoring their gun rights is one of their primary concerns. Both state and federal laws give narrow paths for some people to get back their ability to own or use a firearm. It’s…
Read MoreUpdates to the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act: What Maryland Drivers Should Know in February 2026
In December 2025, we wrote about the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act and what it meant for Maryland drivers. Now, in February 2026, lawmakers are discussing additional measures to curb excessive speeding and aggressive driving across the state, including technologies such as Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) devices that monitor speed limits for high-risk drivers. Neighboring jurisdictions,…
Read MoreHow a USCCA Membership Can Help You Pay Your Attorney Fees
While some states boast “Stand Your Ground” laws that empower gun owners to defend themselves from threats rather than retreating from harm, Maryland does not afford the same legal protections to its residents. Outside the home, Maryland generally requires retreat if safe to do so, although the castle doctrine applies inside the home. As a…
Read MoreUSCCA Membership and the Importance of Firearm Liability Insurance
As of January 1, 2024, there were approximately 175,662 active handgun permits in Maryland. It’s crucial for these gun owners to understand the potential implications of discharging their firearm for self-defense purposes. The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) specializes in helping gun owners across the country protect their rights should they find themselves in…
Read MoreThe Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act: What Maryland Drivers Need to Know
Between 2017 and 2021, Maryland averaged approximately 3,800 aggressive-driving crashes and about 40 fatal aggressive-driving crashes per year. Given the unique dangers posed by aggressive driving, many community members, law enforcement professionals, and safety advocates have spent years pushing for legislative action. In 2025, the General Assembly finally responded by passing the Sergeant Patrick Kepp…
Read MoreImpact of a DUI or Drug Charge on Employment Security in Maryland
In 2022, almost 15,000 people were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Maryland, and in 2023, arrests for drug offenses totaled 8,574. Being arrested on DUI or drug charges can be overwhelming and frightening in and of itself. However, many Maryland residents facing these charges find that a DUI or drug-related arrest causes…
Read MoreWhat to Do If Police Say Facial Recognition Matched You to a Crime
Imagine this: you’re going about your normal day when suddenly the police show up at your door. They say facial recognition software matched your face to a crime scene photo, and now you’re under investigation (or even under arrest). If this happens to you, you’ll probably be shocked, confused, and maybe even terrified. You know…
Read MoreJuvenile vs. Adult Sentencing in Maryland: What Parents Need to Know
If your child’s been charged with a crime, you’re probably overwhelmed, scared, and not very sure about what comes next. It’s not uncommon, either. Maryland ranks second per capita in the nation for the number of teens tried as adults, coming in just behind Alabama. According to news reports, there were 871 teens automatically charged…
Read MoreDriving While High: Why Legal Cannabis Still Creates DUI Confusion in Maryland
A recent article in The New York Sun discussed the lasting confusion in Maryland surrounding the impact of legal marijuana on road safety. Lawmakers still haven’t found a reliable way to determine what it means to drive while under the influence of the newly permitted drug. At the same time, fatal crashes continue to take…
Read MoreDriving Autonomous Vehicles Under the Influence: What You Need to Know
In the future, chances are good that many of us will use an autonomous vehicle. However, today’s reality is something of a mixed bag. True autonomous driving isn’t available yet, but some cars get pretty close (Tesla, for instance). Even some driver convenience features (think adaptive cruise control or lane assistance) rely on automation that…
Read MoreWitness Intimidation Charges in Maryland: What You Need to Know
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…
Read MoreWhy Firearm Owners Should Consider Joining the United States Concealed Carry Association
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,…
Read MoreStop Illegal Entry Act: What Criminal Defense Lawyers Need to Know
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,…
Read MoreNew Law Effective October 1, 2025: MVA Must Revoke Licenses After Certain DUI/DWI Convictions
Maryland is cracking down on certain driving-related offenses. It’s important for Maryland drivers to understand upcoming changes in the law and how these updates might impact them. Starting October 1, 2025, Senate Bill 207 (Chapter 366) will take effect as law in the state. The Bill, signed by Governor Wes Moore, requires the automatic revocation…
Read MoreEffective October 1, 2025: Maryland’s Reckless Driving Law NOW CARRIES JAIL TIME
Drivers in Maryland need to be aware of a new Maryland law, effective October 1, 2025, which makes reckless driving a jailable offense. According to the Maryland State Police and county agencies, officers plan to aggressively enforce this new law. It’s no longer reasonable to assume that a speeding violation will result in “just a…
Read MoreMarijuana DUI Defense After Recreational Legalization
Maryland voters said yes to recreational marijuana, and on July 1, 2023 adults began buying weed legally. What did not change was the rule against DUI/DWI. Intoxication is still intoxication whether you’re drunk or stoned. Prosecutors still rely on Transportation Article § 21‑902, but now the pool of everyday users is bigger. With legal cannabis, clients are confused—how does impairment…
Read MoreExpungement After DUI & Drug Convictions
Finding a good job might feel impossible with an old DUI or a small drug possession on your background check. You pay your fines, finish probation, yet every application stalls once those charges flash on a recruiter’s screen. While Maryland does not allow expungement of DUI convictions, certain DUI-related outcomes—like Probation Before Judgment (PBJ)—may qualify…
Read MorePolice Use of Body Cameras During Traffic Stops
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…
Read More