During the pretrial hearing stage of a trial, the defendant or their defense can file a motion to suppress evidence. The motion aims at excluding specific evidence from the trial proceedings. If the judge grants the motion, the affected evidence will not form part of...
For police officers to arrest you and charge you with a crime, they have to comply with certain federal and state rules. When an officer makes a mistake during the arrest process or while gathering evidence, they may undermine the state's ability to use that evidence...
Being charged with a crime – any crime – is a big deal. Even if you are not convicted, the idea that your reputation and freedom are at stake can be very overwhelming. If you are charged with a crime, it is in your best interests that you know what to do, and the...
If authorities charge you with driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol in Maryland, you may be focused on the immediate consequences of your actions. After all, dealing with the fines and losing your license (in some cases) can be frustrating and...
You must adhere to specific rules and requirements when you are released from jail on parole. These vary from one person to the next, depending on the severity of the crime of which they were convicted. You may hear people mix up the terms parole and probation;...
Being accused of a criminal offense is a serious matter. From the arrest, the mug shot to the arraignment through to the trial period, the whole ordeal can be harrowing, to say the least. But what if you did not commit the crime in question in the first place? Facing...
If a police officer comes to your home and wants to talk to you, they may ask you for permission to enter. They’re looking to get your consent to come into your house. But you may be unsure if you’re actually allowed to deny their request. Do they need your consent,...
The term “innocent until proven guilty” is probably something that you’ve heard before. What does this actually mean in terms of criminal justice and why is it so important? There is a common misconception that anyone who has been arrested must have done something...
When people think of impaired driving, their thoughts usually go to alcohol. It’s true that many cases do revolve around alcohol, but it’s also possible to face these charges for being under the influence of drugs while you’re driving. This includes legal and illegal...
Don’t make the mistake of assuming, as so many people do, that a breath test is an ironclad piece of evidence. Many people believe that failing a breath test, or blowing a blood alcohol concentration that is over the legal limit, is a guarantee that they are going to...