How the Justice Reinvestment Act Will Impact Criminal Law in Maryland
The Justice Reinvestment Act recently passed in Maryland with the objective of making substantial reforms to the state’s criminal justice system. One of the key themes of this Act is its prioritizing punishment and sentences for inmates based on the nature of the violence in their crimes. The purpose of this Act was to streamline
Read MoreNoah’s Law and its Effect on People With DUIs
Maryland has incurred a great deal of legislation pertaining to DUI law. Although Maryland has a very reliable method of public transportation conveniently connected to Washington D.C.’s metro, many citizens of the state still drive. As a result of this, Maryland has had several incidences of DUI’s that they have driven legislators to create new
Read MoreNew Maryland Law: Property Seizure
Historically speaking, it was very difficult for the average American to imagine that their property could, in theory, be seized by police officers. Within the United States, there has been a preconceived notion that the state could never take property unfairly. Even though this is normally correct, one has to take into account the different
Read MoreConstructive Possession of Contraband
Constructive possession of contraband is different from simple possession. Contraband can be anything from drugs to firearms, and determining if someone possesses the contraband can be difficult. For instance, if the defendant is in a house that contains contraband, are they guilty of possession, even if the contraband isn’t theirs? It is difficult to determine
Read MoreWhat are the Average and Maximum Jail Times for Common Crimes?
When you or a loved one are facing charges, the first question on your mind may be, “How much jail time will I have to serve?” Unfortunately, it changes from violation to violation, and is also often different based on your state. Each crime, whether misdemeanor or felony, may carry a prison term. The average
Read MoreDeath Penalty in Maryland
The death penalty in Maryland has changed significantly since the first person was executed in 1773, especially in the past 50 years. As of 2013, Maryland has repealed the death penalty and the harshest sentence in the state is now life without the possibility of parole. The repeal of the death penalty also led to
Read MoreNew Maryland Law: Local Drone Laws
Drones are a newer technology that keeps expanding more into the civilian realm. Most drones in the past were used by the military to gain information on a remote location without putting the soldier at risk. Now, however, the drones are finding an audience among civilians to use for various reasons. Unfortunately, not much is
Read MoreBaltimore Riots: The Legal Implications
Recently, the country has been in an uproar over the relationship between police officers and the African American community. Numerous controversies have occurred around the country where black suspects have died in the custody of police. For obvious reasons, this has set both communities on edge and has posed a serious public safety issue. In
Read MoreKnow Your Rights: DUI
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious charge in every state across the country, including Maryland. Some drivers are pulled over and arrested for a DUI when they have not had any alcohol at all; others have had very little to drink, but have had enough to cause suspicion. According to FBI arrest statistics,
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What is Bail?
If you are placed in jail, the judge will likely set a bail amount. Many people do not fully understand what bail is and how bail works. It’s common to assume that posting bail is like a “get out of jail free card.” In fact, bail is merely a financial assurance for the court that
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