Plausible and Implausible Breaking and Entering Defenses
âBreaking and enteringâ in Maryland is just another way to say âburglary.â Burglary is divided into four different degrees, based on severity: First degree burglary is breaking and entering into somebodyâs 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 MoreDonât Lick Stuff That Isnât Yours
Thereâs 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 âjokesâ cause someone else physical harm, thereâs a good chance that you may be violating the law. If odd behavior seems quirky to you, it…
Read MoreConsent Standards in Rape and Sexual Assault Cases
Most laws, and most criminal cases, revolve around the question â where do we draw the line between acceptable behavior and non-acceptable behavior? That question is rarely black and white. There are often gray areas in-between for different reasons: the law isnât clear, so there are exceptions to every rule. Sometimes, the legislature changes the…
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 MoreWhy You Need a Lawyer for a First-Time DUI Charge
It used to be that judge might cut a break for a first-time DUI charge. That just isnât the case anymore. In Maryland, anyone who is charged with a DUI is looking at possible jail time, court fines and penalties, license suspension, and increased insurance premiums. A skilled DUI defense lawyer will fight aggressively to…
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 isnât 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 Abuserâs 150-Year Sentence Will Not Be Overturned
The Sonoma News reported on July 15, 2019, that a Sonoma Valley California manâs appeal of a 150-year sentence will not be overturned. A 71-year old man claimed that his age and the lower courtâs decision to allow an additional four alleged victims to testify against him were grounds for appeal. The defendant/convict was a…
Read MoreâLawyer Bitten by Sharkâ 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 citizensâ 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 â on Fatherâs…
Read MoreListen to Your Late Aunt Whitney: Crack is Whack
CBS4 in Miami shared an interesting story recently about a man who swallowed 20 rocks of crack and then led police on a wild chase that ended in the Florida Keys. The suspect, Mark Edward Welch (50), led multiple law enforcement agencies on a wild chase that ended in the Upper Keys in the middle…
Read MoreBaltimore Police Officer Led Ring of Crooked Cops
An investigative piece published by the Baltimore Sun in June 2019 describes a Baltimore police officer who led a ring of crooked cops as he led a double life. The officer, Wayne Jenkins, was in charge of the Gun Trace Task Force when he began handling drug deals on the side and robbing people they…
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