Posts by Drew Cochran
What Is the Burden of Proof in a Domestic Violence Case?
If you are arrested and charged with domestic violence, it is not an open and shut case. While such a charge may seem difficult to defend, the defense may actually have the easier job in some cases. The prosecution has what is called “burden of proof,” which almost always requires more than just circumstantial evidence.…
Read MoreHeck Yeah, Fight Back Against Your Annapolis DUI Charge
When you are charged with a DUI, there are myriad of decisions that have to be made by you and your attorney. One of the most important decisions is whether or not you should fight the charge or plead guilty. An important factor in determining whether or not you should plead is if there are…
Read MoreDomestic Violence Isn’t Always Physical
Is it possible to get arrested for domestic violence, or have a protective order put out on you, if you never even put your hands on someone? Yes, it is – and it’s important to understand why. The terms “domestic violence” and “domestic abuse” can conjure up disturbing images of bruises, cuts, or even broken…
Read MoreStay Off Santa’s Naughty List and Avoid a DUI This Holiday Season
The holidays are here again – they kick off around these parts with Thanksgiving and go right on through New Year’s. There’s really nothing quite like gathering with friends and family to celebrate the season, and it means even more right now as we come out of two years of staying in and staying home.…
Read MoreMurder or a Mistake? Mother Charged with Felony Murder After Son Eats THC Gummies
A Virginia mother was recently charged with felony murder and child neglect after her four-year-old son died after he ingested gummy candies infused with marijuana. The mother, who claimed the boy ate only half a gummy, said that she called poison control and was assured the child would be fine. Detectives investigating the case found…
Read MoreThe Secret Is Out: Drunk People Don’t Think They’re Drunk When They’re Drunk
In a study that will shock precisely no one, research has determined that people who are drunk do not realize they are drunk while they are, you know… drunk. The study, which was conducted by the Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology at Ghent University in Belgium and reported in the Journal of Safety…
Read MoreAnnapolis Courts Don’t Offer Much Help to Domestic Violence Offenders
The point of criminal justice, at its center, is fairness. That’s basically what the word justice means if you break it down far enough and tilt your head to the side. Ideally, though, every potential criminal is truly treated innocent until proven guilty, and even those guilty are still considered human beings. Even prison was…
Read MoreCan You Get a DUI After the Fact in Maryland?
True immunity in the eyes of the law is not really a thing that exists, despite popular belief. While you can’t be convicted of a crime willy-nilly, law enforcement has a way of finding something, some reason to make charges stick or new ones emerge. That’s why you should always make sure you have a…
Read MoreYup, Cops Can See Your Medical Records
We typically like to think we have some modicum of genuine privacy when it comes to something as intimate as medical records. I know, that’s a terrifying way to start anything. I wish I could reassure you and say none of this is truly scary, but… Anyways. While doctor/patient confidentiality is indeed a thing, the…
Read MoreAutomatic Crime Reporting Algorithms Can Hurt Innocent People — And Do
It’s no secret the internet at large has its dark sides. Crime is rampant and often unchecked, in all levels of severity, because people can be relatively unsupervised and anonymous. What better to combat this technological problem than with more technology? One especially heinous crime with an unfortunate internet popularity is child pornography and abuse.…
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