In an Opinion released on April 4, 2018 the Court of Special Appeals in Patrick Joseph Thomas v State of Maryland held that as a result of the current opioid epidemic wherein some state’s attorneys have charged the sellers of heroin and other dangerous drugs with homicide crimes when a buyer dies from an overdose … Read more
In criminal cases or in civil cases there is frequently a controversy as to whether a witness may be cross-examined as to alleged bias or motive with regard to pending criminal charges against the witness. In Manchame-Guerra v State of Maryland, 178 A.3d 1 (2018), the Court of Appeals of Maryland held that a Defendant … Read more
The Maryland Court of Appeals in two recent cases Kiriakos vs..Phillips and Dankos vs. Stapf released on July 5, 2016 held that an adult who knowingly and willfully allows underage drinking by persons under 21 in the adults home can create liability . for the host if the underaged driver subsequently injures another person with … Read more
In an unreported case released on June 16, 2016 the Court of Special Appeals in Miller v. State, Nos. 0444 and 0836, Sept. Term, 2015 reversed a Circuit Court Judge’s determination that a spectator in the courtroom could be held summarily in contempt if the spectator’s cell phone rang during the course of a court … Read more
The use of DNA evidence is expanding. In a recent case George Varriale v. State of Maryland, the Court of Appeals opinion released on August 11, 2015 held that a person who voluntarily gave a DNA profile which was later found to implicate the Defendant in an earlier unrelated case was an appropriate use of … Read more
So, you are driving in the state of Maryland and you see a police car on the side of the road with its emergency lights on. The police officer has just pulled someone over for speeding. What do you do? Not sure? Well, unless you want to be the next person pulled over, you should … Read more
Frequently clients contact our office with regard to traffic offenses in which they have been charged with driving while suspended in which they contend that they did not know that their driving privilege was suspended. This may arise in a variety of contexts. One context is where the defendant failed to appear in Court for … Read more
Expunging your criminal record in Maryland is possible under Maryland law. http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmStatutesText.aspx?article=gcp§ion=10-101&ext=html&session=2014RS&tab=subject5. Expunging a criminal record means that all information about your arrest and conviction are removed from the Court and police records that are open to public inspection. If you were charged with a crime, you may be able to have the matter expunged … Read more
Effective October 1, 2014 a number of new laws took effect in Maryland which can affect a substantial number of Marylanders. They are as follows: Marijuana. The possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana will become a civil offense rather than a criminal offense. There are civil penalties for $100.00 fine for a first … Read more
One of the hallmarks in American jurisprudence is the concept that the accused has the right to consult with an attorney before making any choices in which a party could be exposed to criminal penalties. In a recent Maryland Court of Appeals decision, Motor Vehicle Administration v. Deering, the Court of Appeals held that a … Read more
