How the âNot Criminally Responsibleâ Defense Works in Maryland
Jarrod Ramos, who was accused of killing five workers at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Md has confessed that he committed the offenses. His defense is that he was mentally ill at the time of the trial â such that he should be held â not criminally responsible. According to the Washington Post, Ramos…
Read MoreCommunity First in the Age of COVID-19
So, we are officially in the midst of a pandemic. What that means is that a disease has reached a greater geographical reach. So, basically, it just means that itâs all over the world, as opposed to in one state or one country. And thatâs kinda terrifying, I know. Thereâs a lot of misinformation out…
Read MoreHow to Beat a DUI Charge
A conviction for a DUI charge in Maryland carries serious consequences. You will likely be ordered to spend time in jail. There will be large fines and court costs. Your license will likely be suspended. Your insurance rates will go through the roof â if youâre lucky to get insurance. Even when you get your…
Read MoreIf Your âCrime Paysâ Tattoo Proves to Be False Advertising, Can You Sue?
Ok. If youâre going to engage in drug-fueled police chase where you could be charged with resisting law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, reckless driving, auto theft, and common nuisance â the smartest thing isnât also to have a tattoo on your forehead that says âCrime Pays.â Not only does the tattoo make you look like…
Read MoreWhen Is Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) an Option?
A PB&J is delicious. A PBJ â Probation Before Judgment â is an actual remedy that is issued in many nonserious criminal charges to help a defendant avoid prison time. You can think of PBJ as a âsandwichâ remedy, though, which combines an outer layer of being placed on probation with the softer inner layer…
Read MoreAre Eyewitnesses Really Reliable?
Youâve seen it in the movies and on TV. The drama about who committed a crime ends when an eyewitnesses says, âI saw So-and-So Kill that man with a spoon*. He did it or sheâs the one!â (*Or whatever. TV is terrible. Donât let it rot your brain.) It always sounds or seems like doom…
Read MoreYou Think Your Lawyerâs Bad?
As a criminal defense lawyer, I hear no shortage of complaints from people about their criminal defense lawyers. (Thatâll teach you not to come directly to me, huh?) I hear the same complaints and, frankly, terrible âjokesâ from people I know and love, too. Comes with the territory. But if you think your lawyer is…
Read MoreHow Does a Maryland DWI Offense Differ from a DUI Offense?
The terms DWI and DUI are similar but not identical. DWI stands for Driving While Impaired. DUI stands for Driving while Under the Influence. There are different requirements for proving each type of offense. The penalties are also different. In general, the penalties for a DWI are less severe than the penalties for a DUI…
Read MoreWhen Does a Suspect or Defendant Have the Right to Remain Silent?
The Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution protects people from having to give evidence against themselves. In general, this means that if the police arrest you or if a prosecutor questions you, you do not have to testify against yourself. The burden is on the state or the federal government to prove its case independent…
Read MoreKey Factors in Most Criminal Law Cases
Defense lawyers focus on every legal and factual argument they can make to help you obtain an acquittal or a plea bargain. It is not required that you prove your innocence. It is only required that a defense lawyer convince a judge or jury that there is a reasonable doubt about your guilt. Each charge…
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