Posts by Drew Cochran

Attorney-client privilege is a legal doctrine which applies to communications between a lawyer and a client. Basically, it means anything you say to me – with some exceptions, of course – goes into the vault, and I cannot be compelled to tell anyone what you said: not during testimony, not by sharing notes or emails,…

There are a number of ways to respond to a criminal charge in Maryland, including “not guilty,” “guilty,” and “no contest,” also known as nolo contendere. When you haven’t committed a crime, choosing the “not guilty” plea can be the simplest of options. It means that you are telling the court you did not do…

In the world of criminal justice and defense, there’s a term that often comes up: “plea bargain.” But what exactly is a plea bargain, and why does it matter? In simple terms, a plea bargain is a deal made between a person accused of a crime (the defendant) and the prosecution. This agreement allows the…

Burglary charges in Maryland are serious legal matters that involve entering a building or structure with the intent to commit a crime, typically theft or another felony. The state’s laws define burglary and establish the penalties for those convicted. Burglary is addressed under Title 6, Subtitle 2. Section 6-202 of the Maryland Code, which defines…

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects citizens like you from unreasonable searches and seizures. This fundamental right extends to Maryland, but its application can be murky and complicated. To protect your rights and properly navigate any potential interactions with law enforcement, it’s important to understand the legal framework governing searches and seizures.…

Being arrested stinks. There’s no way around it. It doesn’t matter what you did (or are accused of doing) or how it’s done — few things are more humiliating and demeaning than having to get into the back of that car. It’s only natural to want to resist that sort of thing, especially if the…