Maryland Criminal Code § 6-301 makes it illegal to willfully and maliciously destroy, injure, or deface the property of another person. The statute is divided into two tiers of offenses based on the value of the property that was damaged: Malicious Destruction of...
Criminal Defense
State Charges Transitioning to Federal Crimes
Certain state charges can escalate to federal charges under specific circumstances. Common examples include: Drug Offenses: If a drug offense involves trafficking across state lines or significant quantities, it may be prosecuted federally. Fraud Crimes: State-level...
Committing crimes in the presence of a child or committing crimes with a child in Maryland
In Maryland, certain crimes committed in the presence of a child can lead to enhanced penalties. Here are some examples: Child Abuse: Committing any crime that results in physical or emotional harm to a child can lead to severe penalties, including felony charges and...
Notorious Maryland Criminal Cases
Some of the notorious crimes that have occurred in Maryland: The 2002 D.C. Sniper Attacks: John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo carried out a series of shootings across Maryland and the D.C. area, killing ten people and injuring several others over a three-week...
Police Misconduct in Maryland
Notable examples of police misconduct in Maryland: Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force Scandal: Several officers were implicated in a corruption scandal involving theft, drug dealing, and the unlawful use of police resources. This case exposed systemic issues within the...
Cooperating with the police, Confidential informants
A confidential informant contract is a formal agreement between law enforcement and an individual who agrees to provide information about criminal activities. Key elements typically include: Confidentiality: Assurance that the informant's identity will be protected....
Spousal Privilege in Maryland
In Maryland, the spousal privilege generally protects communications made between spouses during the marriage. However, the privilege may be affected by the timing of the marriage in relation to the offense. If the spouses were not married at the time the offense was...
Affect on immigration status upon criminal conviction
If you are convicted of a domestic criminal offense in Maryland and are not a U.S. citizen, the potential consequences can include: Deportation: Certain domestic offenses, especially felonies, can lead to removal proceedings. This includes crimes of...
2 lies cops can’t legally tell when executing a search warrant
You may be savvy enough to realize that law enforcement officers have the legal right to lie to suspects during an investigation. For example, they can say they have hard evidence that incriminates you even if they have nothing. However, police officers must generally...
Can eyewitness testimony be challenged?
Eye witness testimonies play a crucial role in the criminal justice system. This is because eyewitnesses are sworn to honesty and help provide clear insight and facts regarding an alleged crime. However, there have been troubling questions about the accuracy of human...