Posted on January 09, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Assault tends to be more common in the state of Maryland than in most other states, with only 4 percent of other states having a higher risk of assault. The rate of assault in Maryland is 6.317 per 1,000 residents, with the western part of the state considered the safest for this type of criminal offense. In some neighborhoods, the chance of being an assault victim in the state is fairly low, at one in 54, while in others, the chances increase dramatically to 1 in 1,224.

The owner of a Towson restaurant was recently assaulted after confronting two men relieving themselves in front of his business. The assault involved one assailant punching the owner and a handgun, which was pointed at the business owner at one point during the altercation. While the assault was caught on video, the suspects have yet to be located. If you have been charged with assault, you should take the charges very seriously and contact a Harford County, MD criminal defense attorney.  

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 Posted on December 26, 2024 in Criminal Defense

A 31-year-old Maryland man was recently found guilty on two dozen charges related to stalking, cyberstalking, and sharing sexual photos of two of his ex-girlfriends, as well as weapons charges related to firing a gun at the girlfriends. The Brandywine man dated both victims at various times between 2022 and 2023.

Both women said once they ended the relationship, the man began stalking them, sending threatening text messages and calling them hundreds of times in addition to showing up at their homes and places of work. The man additionally threatened to release sexually explicit images of both victims – a threat he subsequently followed up on by spreading printed photos of these sexually explicit images across their front lawns.

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 Posted on December 11, 2024 in Criminal Defense

A Maryland man was recently sentenced to 30 months in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The 67-year-old man from Pikesville and his co-conspirators allegedly debited money from the bank accounts of victims across the United States without authorization. Shell companies were created, and then banks were told that debits against consumers’ bank accounts were authorized as payment for services rendered.

To conceal the fraud and continue the unauthorized debits, "micro-debits" were generated against other bank accounts funded by those involved in the scheme. These micro-debits were intended to reduce bank scrutiny. Overall, the alleged scheme generated more than $1.5 million in losses. Criminal offenses like this fall under the umbrella of white-collar crimes and are often prosecuted federally, although they can also be prosecuted by the state.  

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 Posted on November 22, 2024 in Sex Crimes

Images or videos of someone in the nude or performing a sexual act should be assumed to be private unless the person in the media says otherwise or publicizes them. Sharing intimate photos of someone without consent can be considered "revenge porn," which is a serious sex crime in Maryland.

A person who is convicted of distributing revenge porn can face prison time and heavy fines in addition to a damaged reputation. If you are facing charges of revenge porn distribution, contact a Maryland criminal defense lawyer to begin building your case.

What Is Revenge Porn in Maryland?

Under Maryland law, a person is guilty of distributing revenge porn if he or she knowingly, and with intent to harm, shares intimate photos of someone else without that person’s consent if the content was expected to remain private.

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 Posted on November 07, 2024 in Drug Crimes

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, America is in the throes of an opioid crisis. Prescription drugs like oxycodone and fentanyl are being distributed illegally more than ever before, along with other drugs that are only legal if prescribed by a doctor. In Maryland, the unlawful distribution of controlled substances like prescription drugs is treated harshly with heavy fines and prison time.

However, there are some differences between the penalties for distributing illegal substances like cocaine and the penalties for distributing prescription medication. For more questions or to secure a legal defense against drug distribution charges, consult an experienced Maryland drug crime defense attorney.

What Are the Penalties for Drug Distribution?

The penalties for drug distribution depend on several factors such as the type of drug, the amount distributed, whether any minors were involved, and any prior offenses.

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 Posted on October 24, 2024 in Sex Crimes

Sex crimes in Maryland can carry severe penalties including lengthy prison time and hefty fines. In addition, a person who is convicted of a sex crime must register as a sex offender. This makes his or her offense publicly available information and can affect the offender’s ability to find employment or living accommodations.

This article will discuss how the sex offender registry works, who must register, and what happens if you fail to register as a sex offender in Maryland. Make sure to contact a Maryland criminal defense attorney for more details or any questions about your specific circumstances.

What Is the Sex Offender Registry in Maryland?

The sex offender registry is a database that contains information about people who have been convicted of sex crimes. It is available to the public so that anyone can access information about a sex offender, referred to as a registration statement. A registration statement contains the offender’s:

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 Posted on October 07, 2024 in Domestic Violence

Domestic violence usually falls under the crime of assault, which carries severe penalties in Maryland. The difference between domestic violence and assault is that domestic violence involves a close relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. They might be spouses, parent and child, or roommates. Facing a domestic violence charge can be a daunting and frightening experience, which is why it is important to hire a Maryland criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and your future.

What Is Domestic Violence?

There is no Maryland statute that specifically outlaws domestic violence against spouses or household members. Instead, domestic abuse is charged according to the nature of the act, such as: 

• Physical assault
• Rape or Sexual assault

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 Posted on September 23, 2024 in Drug Crimes

A new law went into effect in Maryland last year aimed at legalizing most cannabis use in the state. Since this is still a relatively new law, some confusion remains about what is legal and what can end up with you facing drug charges. Similar to alcohol, which is legal to consume if you are over 21 years old and you abide by certain restrictions like not driving if you have had enough to cloud your judgment, cannabis is now generally legal for personal use, with some limitations. If you have questions about the legal implications of using or possessing marijuana, speak with a knowledgeable Harford County, MD criminal defense lawyer to learn more.

How Has Marijuana Legalization Impacted Maryland Convictions?

On July 1, 2023, recreational use of marijuana, officially called cannabis in Maryland, was legalized in the state for anyone from the age of 21 and up. The state even set up the official Maryland Cannabis Administration as a way to regulate its use. As a result, if you are of legal age, it is now legal in Maryland to have up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis in your possession. You are also legally permitted to grow up to two cannabis plants in your home and give cannabis to other people as a gift, as long as it is not in exchange for money.

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 Posted on September 09, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Children can get into all sorts of potentially harmful situations. Routine things like riding a bike, climbing a tree, and playing in a playground can easily end up leaving your child with cuts, bruises, and even fractures. When children repeatedly have these types of injuries, other well-meaning adults might mistakenly get the impression that the children are being abused at home.

Even when they are false, child abuse accusations can have harsh consequences. In addition to any legal penalties resulting from a criminal charge, a person could suffer from a tarnished reputation, social damage, and deteriorated mental health. If you are facing accusations of child abuse, speak with an experienced Baltimore, MD criminal defense attorney who can offer invaluable guidance at this sensitive and challenging time.

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 Posted on August 22, 2024 in Peace/Protective Orders

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects Americans’ right to bear arms. While people might disagree over issues like background checks and waiting periods before someone can buy a firearm, there is a general consensus that owning a gun is a constitutionally protected right. However, it is not a right that should be taken for granted, with recent Supreme Court rulings restricting gun ownership eligibility for people with restraining orders against them. Violating the conditions of a restraining order can result in criminal charges. If there is a restraining order against you, speak with a seasoned Harford County, MD criminal defense lawyer to understand how this can affect your ability to own a gun.

Protective Orders in Maryland

Restraining orders, officially called protective orders in Maryland, are a legal measure for protecting victims of abuse, harassment, assault, sex crimes, and other forms of violence. However, in an effort to protect victims, these orders can be issued almost automatically without needing a full investigation or court case to prove that you actually were violent and pose a threat. If you are issued a restraining order, you face restrictions in many parts of your life. You will be limited in where you can go, who you can contact, and sometimes, when and where you can see your family. Another restriction imposed along with a restraining order against you relates to your right to bear arms.

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