You Think Your Lawyer’s Bad?

As a criminal defense lawyer, I hear no shortage of complaints from people about their criminal defense lawyers. (That’ll teach you not to come directly to me, huh?) I hear the same complaints and, frankly, terrible “jokes” from people I know and love, too. Comes with the territory. But if you think your lawyer is…

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How 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…

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When 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…

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Key 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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How the Sixth Amendment Actually Works to Protect You

The US Constitution provides several Constitutional checks on law enforcement. The Sixth Amendment provides: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law,…

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How the Fourth Amendment Protects Defendants in Criminal Cases

The police just pulled you over and searched your car. Inside they find your stash of weed. Do you have a defense? The police knock on your door without a warrant and ask to search your home. Can you say “no” to the search? The police stop you because you look like someone they’re investigating…

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The History Behind the NY Times Report on Breath Test Unreliability

Look, it’s not nice to gloat. I know this. We all know this. But this whole “breath tests are faulty” story from the New York Times that has everyone clutching their pearls and crying, “Oh, the horror! We didn’t know”? Shenanigans. I’ve been a DUI defense lawyer for 20 years, and I am telling you…

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