Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Police Use of Deadly Force Continues
America has seen thousands of protestors standing up to unwarranted police use of force since 2020, when the Gorge Floyd case brought the issue into focus for millions of people. The aim of protests was to bring awareness to a sober issue impacting countless communities across the country and to get police to restrict… Read More »
Are Dropped or Dismissed Charges in the Cards?
You’ve been charged with a crime, and it’s petrifying. How could this have happened to you? Right now you are praying that law enforcement resolves that it was all some crazy mistake and you’ll be able to walk away and forget the whole thing. That kind of marvel could occur if the charges were… Read More »
The Witness Protection Program
The Witness Protection Program, under the guidance of federal U.S. Marshals, provides new identities to individuals who face the possibility of retribution after testifying against organized crime groups (like the Mafia, for example) who intimidate communities and are responsible for appreciably violent crimes. Cooperation from witnesses can be an indisputable safety concern for such… Read More »
Gag Orders – How Do They Work?
We hear about judges issuing gag orders in high-profile cases to restrict their speech, despite First Amendment guarantees of free speech in this country. Most recently, multiple judges associated with various civil and criminal cases related to former President Trump have issued gag orders against Mr. Trump and his attorneys. The Trump camp argues… Read More »
Courtroom Decorum Behooves You
You’re in a courtroom facing criminal charges, and you’re really not happy about it. You have dozens of thoughts running through your head that are just itching to get out. But irrespective of the situation, it’s never prudent to spout off, despite what you may have heard about Donald Trump’s courtroom antics. Mr. Trump’s… Read More »
Are Two Trials Possible? What About Double Jeopardy?
If you’ve ever watched courtroom drama on TV you’ve probably heard of double jeopardy—the 5th Amendment protection against being tried twice for the same crime. But what you may not know is that there are some situations in which defendants may very well face separate prosecutions for the same crime. State and federal governments… Read More »
Police Transparency Benefits Everyone
A recent law requiring public access to law enforcement disciplinary records that occurred prior to the law is being challenged by a police union here in Maryland, noting that because officers were promised confidentiality at the time, they are entitled to protection from public scrutiny. The courts will decide how to balance the required… Read More »
Holiday Retail Theft
The holidays are upon us, and while that brings to mind gingerbread houses and tinsel for many, for retailers, the focus is on theft. It’s the busiest shopping season of all, and that means shoplifters are out in full force. The majority of all retail theft—roughly 80 percent– occurs during the holidays. In the… Read More »
Teens Who Commit Serious Crimes
Society has wrestled with questions related to crime and punishment for as long as we can remember. The concept of justice becomes even more difficult when juvenile offenders are involved. Woefully, it’s a dilemma that seems to be growing in scope. According to Baltimore police, over 500 teens were arrested in 2022, over 120… Read More »
When the State Fails to Provide a Speedy Trial
The right to a speedy trial is guaranteed by the 6th Amendment to the Constitution. Since defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise, it makes sense that the Founders believed in giving the accused their day in court as quickly as possible. If that weren’t the case, innocent people might be assumed to be… Read More »
