Posted on July 17, 2020 in Uncategorized

More than 20 indicted in alleged drug ring

While much enforcement of drug laws is directed at users and small-scale dealers, the authorities are always looking to break up large networks of illegal drug trafficking. When police go after these networks, they often arrest dozens of people, some of whom may be quite distant from the operators of the network.

Maryland police said they recently broke up a large-scale drug ring that operated in several states. Police said they arrested a man they accused of being one of the ringleaders of the operation, and they have carried out a number of arrests and searches related to the alleged operation in the months since then. According to police, these searches have found 1,200 grams of fentanyl, 99 grams of heroin, 475 grams of cocaine, as well as firearms and other evidence.

Police said the network was tied to the Bloods criminal organization, but some of the people alleged to have taken part in the drug network may not have had any direct ties to the gang. One man arrested and alleged to have been involved in the ring is a suspended police officer.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 02, 2020 in Uncategorized

Understanding your Sixth Amendment rights

Some of the most important protections for people accused of crimes can be found under the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Part of the Bill of Rights, the Sixth Amendment is the cornerstone of criminal defense in our criminal justice system.

The Sixth Amendment guarantees people charged with crimes the right to a trial by jury, in most circumstances. Over the years, courts have interpreted the amendment many times, and found that this right to a trial also conveys other rights, including the defendant’s right to see all the evidence used in the case against them, to see, hear and have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses against them, the opportunity to call their own witnesses and more.

The Sixth Amendment works together with other provisions under the Bill of Rights. For instance, the Sixth Amendment provides a defendant with the opportunity to testify at their trial, but the Fifth Amendment protects defendants from being compelled to testify against themselves. Therefore, the Sixth Amendment also provides the defendant the right to decline to testify at their own trial. Many defendants decline to testify when they know that doing so puts them at a high risk of divulging self-incriminating information.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 25, 2020 in Firm News

Woman arrested for DUI, traffic violations and child abuse

In Maryland, people who are arrested for drunk driving will face potentially serious penalties If those charges are accompanied by other allegations such as child abuse, driving drunk with a child in the vehicle, traffic offenses and more, the situation can escalate significantly. People confronted by these issues may face an extended jail sentence, fines and other penalties that will continue to impact them for a long time, maybe even the rest of their lives. Understanding how to craft a strong criminal defense is imperative in these circumstances.

A 24-year-old woman is confronted with a slew of charges related to driving under the influence of alcohol, having a child in the vehicle at the time, abusing a child and traffic offenses. Law enforcement was called at shortly after 1 a.m. The woman was sitting in a vehicle stopped on the roadside. She had a young child in her arms and refused officers’ requests to exit the vehicle. She was slurring her words and the officers smelled alcohol. She had thrown up on herself. When she exited the vehicle, a neighbor took the child and she started yelling.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 12, 2020 in Firm News

Field sobriety test results don’t guarantee a conviction

It has happened to a lot of motorists in Maryland. They look in their rearview mirror only to see flashing blue and red lights. Their heart skips a beat, they stop, and they’re approached by an officer who subsequently accuses them of drunk driving. The ramification can be significant, too. A drunk driving conviction can lead to serious penalties, which may include jail time, fines, license suspension or revocation, and damage to your reputation.

If you find yourself facing DUI or DWI charges, then you’re probably wondering how best to approach your case. Some people are eager to accept a plea deal that imposes lesser penalties, but that might not be right for you. This is especially true if you didn’t provide a breath test at any point during your arrest. In these circumstances, the prosecution doesn’t have a blood alcohol content analysis on which to rely, so they must turn to observations of a motorist’s driving and behavior during field sobriety tests.

Continue Reading ››