Criminal Defense
Accidental Porn? It’s Real, and It Can Lead to Criminal Charges
The seriousness of a possession of child pornography charge cannot be underestimated. Possession of depictions of a minor engaged in obscene actions or sexual conduct can lead to criminal charges for each and every picture. Convictions for each count can mean a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Anyone convicted a second time can…
Read MoreCarjackings in Baltimore Are Continuing to Get Worse
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,…
Read MoreDefense Lawyers – Fiction Versus the Reality
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…
Read MoreDIY Rape Kits Are a Scam
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…
Read MorePlausible and Implausible Breaking and Entering Defenses
“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…
Read MoreDon’t Lick Stuff That Isn’t Yours
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…
Read MoreThe Use of Diversion Programs in the Criminal Justice System
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…
Read MoreBefore You Flush Your Drugs, Think of the Animals
The Loretto Police Department in Tennessee took the rare step of posting a warning on their Facebook page that trying to flush your drugs down the toilet to avoid arrest probably isn’t the best idea. According to a story in Buzzfeed, a suspect flushed his methamphetamine and several paraphernalia items down the toilet after he…
Read MoreConvicted Sex Abuser’s 150-Year Sentence Will Not Be Overturned
The Sonoma News reported on July 15, 2019, that a Sonoma Valley California man’s appeal of a 150-year sentence will not be overturned. A 71-year old man claimed that his age and the lower court’s decision to allow an additional four alleged victims to testify against him were grounds for appeal. The defendant/convict was a…
Read More“Lawyer Bitten by Shark” and Other Jokes That Write Themselves
Everyone loves to make fun of lawyers, even though they know that lawyers are the protectors of democracy and citizens’ rights. A recent story highlighted that point. A personal injury lawyer, according to a recent story, stated that he was bitten by a shark during his morning swim in the Wilmington River – on Father’s…
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