Posts by Drew Cochran

The Baltimore Sun reported on October 9, 2019 that carjackings in the city are rising. In one example, the victim wasn’t even in his car. He was on his brother’s porch getting some sun when two people appeared and demanded that the 60-year-old man give them his car keys and phone. To emphasize their demand,…

People have perceptions of criminal defense mostly through TV, film, and literature. There’s the honorable Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, who fights for a just cause even though his client is found guilty. John Grisham’s novels give readers the idea that lawyers often learn through experience that the system is rigged, and that…

There’s a lot of DIY stuff out there – brewing beer, creating your own makeup, composting your own waste – that seems kinda silly, but they’re mostly harmless. If you really want to learn to make your own yarn from an alpaca, knock yourself out. (Just don’t hurt the alpaca.) But this latest offering? This…

“Breaking and entering” in Maryland is just another way to say “burglary.” Burglary is divided into four different degrees, based on severity: First degree burglary is breaking and entering into somebody’s home or structure with the intent to commit a theft or violent crime. Second degree burglary applies to storehouse (like sheds or garages), as…

There’s an old saying that tragedy is something awful happening to you, while comedy is something awful happening to somebody else. That goes for the law, too. If pranks and “jokes” cause someone else physical harm, there’s a good chance that you may be violating the law. If odd behavior seems quirky to you, it…

The Baltimore Sun recently reported that Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison released a sweeping crime plan which includes new deployment strategies, plans for improved technology, and other initiatives to help reduce violence. The plan includes a variety of ideas including: Fast response times for priority calls where life or property is endangered Micro-zones to focus…