Posted on October 08, 2025 in Violent Crimes

Montgomery County Police are searching for two suspects wanted in connection with an armed robbery, kidnapping, and homicide that occurred on September 21 in North Bethesda. A third suspect is in custody and is being held without bond. What likely began as an armed robbery quickly escalated into a homicide, then the kidnapping of two individuals. While the homicide charge is the most serious, the armed robbery (Maryland Code Criminal Law Section 3-403) and kidnapping charges also carry extremely severe penalties in Maryland.

Armed robbery is among the most serious charges under Maryland law, but when the situation involves restraining, moving, or detaining a victim, a second charge of kidnapping can follow. The combination of these two charges dramatically increases the stakes for the accused. If you are being charged with either armed robbery or kidnapping – or both – speaking to an experienced Northern Baltimore County, MD criminal defense attorney as soon as possible is crucial.

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 Posted on September 19, 2025 in Weapons Crimes

Although gunshot residue (GSR) evidence is often used in court by prosecutors to convince a jury of an individual’s guilt, the reliability of GSR evidence has been repeatedly questioned. The reliability of GSR is under near-constant siege and is used to indicate exposure to a fired gun. Although particle characteristics of lead, barium, and antimony are considered almost irrefutable evidence by jurors, the presence of these elements can conceivably come from other sources.

GSR is easily transferred, can be removed by washing, is degraded by normal activities, and does not rule out firing a weapon. Because of this, GSR evidence should be viewed as corroborating evidence rather than standalone "proof." If you have been charged with a criminal offense that involves a firearm, consulting with a highly experienced Harford County, MD criminal defense lawyer is the best step you can take to protect your future.

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 Posted on September 05, 2025 in Sex Crimes

If you are facing false sex crime allegations in Maryland, you may understandably be desperate to prove your innocence. So, when a law enforcement officer suggests a polygraph test (also known as a "lie detector" test), you may jump at the chance. After all, you are innocent, so why not? Polygraphs are commonly shown in movies and television shows as a tool that definitively separates the truth from lies.

In real courtrooms, however, the story is far more complex. Could a polygraph test help your defense, or could it make things worse? You must understand the limitations of polygraph tests and consult with an experienced Northern Baltimore County, MD criminal defense lawyer who can explain the pros and cons.

How Do Polygraph Tests Work?

Polygraph tests measure involuntary physiological responses, including respiration, pulse rate, blood pressure, and skin conductivity, to determine whether an individual is being truthful or deceptive. Sensors are attached to the body to record changes that are believed to be more intense when the individual is being dishonest.  The process begins with an interview, during which the examiner explains the test, reviews the questions to be asked, and provides the individual with instructions.

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 Posted on August 26, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Anyone who watches crime television shows or movies has probably heard the term "hearsay." In a criminal trial, hearsay is typically used in the context of a lawyer objecting to a witness repeating something he or she did not see or hear firsthand. Hearsay is usually considered inadmissible because it cannot be regarded as reliable evidence.

However, like most rules of evidence, there are exceptions. Under certain circumstances, hearsay can be admitted and may even play a significant role in the outcome of a case. If you are facing criminal charges, it can be helpful to understand when hearsay is allowed. Having a highly experienced Northern Baltimore County, MD criminal defense lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you achieve the best possible outcome.

What is Hearsay?

Maryland Rules of Evidence 5-801, regarding hearsay, was updated in 2020, under HB 449.  Rule 5-801 and 802 define hearsay as an "out-of-court statement" offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted; however, the statement was made by someone who is not testifying. These statements are usually prohibited because the original speaker cannot be cross-examined, and the veracity of the statement cannot be challenged. Courts prohibit hearsay to ensure reliability and due process during a trial. Prohibiting hearsay ensures that:

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 Posted on August 08, 2025 in Sex Crimes

Possession of child pornography in the state of Maryland is a serious felony. But what if the files in question were deleted? Perhaps they were yours, or maybe someone else using your computer downloaded the files. In either case, you may believe that erasing the content from your computer also erases any future criminal liability, but this is not always true.

With today’s high-tech forensics, law enforcement can often recover deleted files or trace remnants of illegal content, even if you believed they were inaccessible. It is important that you consult with a knowledgeable Harford County, MD, criminal defense lawyer who can explain the charges and the defenses that may be available in your case. Sex crimes cases, especially those involving electronics, can be extremely complex, and the stakes could not be higher.

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 Posted on July 24, 2025 in DUI / DWI

Most of us think of a DUI arrest as being pulled over while driving, given sobriety tests, and arrested for driving under the influence. In the state of Maryland, however, you can face DUI charges without an actual traffic stop. This could be the result of a delayed investigation, a "concerned" witness, or a crash report, but the police could potentially pursue DUI charges after the fact, even the next day.

This hardly seems legally possible, but if the prosecution can prove impairment without the benefit of a traffic stop, there is a very real possibility of being charged with DUI hours after you were actually driving. If you find yourself charged with DUI the next day, you are facing what is known as a "retroactive investigation." You need an experienced, aggressive Harford County, MD DUI lawyer to build a strong defense on your behalf.

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 Posted on July 08, 2025 in Weapons Crimes

A detailed plan was shared by the Maryland Department of Health on June 26th that would reduce gun violence across the state by tracking firearm data. The data were gathered over a five-year period, from 2019 to 2023. The five-year homicide rate in the state between 2019 and 2023 was 9.2 per 100,000 people, making it the 10th highest rate in the U.S.

The three-part plan is a public health approach to prevent gun violence that involves supporting both perpetrators and survivors in mental and physical health, responding to acts of violence, and preventing those acts of violence.  A firearm dashboard was created by the State Department of Health, along with a detailed plan, as a means of tracking data on those injured or killed by gun violence in the state. The goal in collecting this data is to help teams identify and implement improvements to gun laws.

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 Posted on June 27, 2025 in Criminal Defense

It is being reported that an apparent neighborhood dispute led to a man breaking into an Anne Arundel County detective’s house and setting it on fire in April. The man is now charged with arson, malicious burning, home invasion, and destruction of property.  The man accused of arson had previously attempted to sue the homeowner for defamation, but the lawsuit was dismissed.

The two men had a history of conflict in the neighborhood. Arson is one of the most serious property crimes in Maryland, often prosecuted as a felony, with long prison sentences. Arson in the state is divided into degrees based on the type of property damaged, the intent, and whether lives were endangered.

If you are facing arson charges, it is crucial that you have an experienced Harford County, MD, criminal defense lawyer. Having an attorney who will create a comprehensive defense on your behalf and who fully understands the immediate and long-term consequences of a felony conviction is essential.  

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 Posted on June 11, 2025 in DUI / DWI

While most people think only of alcohol impairment regarding a DUI, in the state of Maryland, a DUI could be alcohol-related or could be related to illicit drugs or prescription drugs. This means that you might be taking a prescription drug, legally prescribed to you, like Ambien. Perhaps you have Ambien in your system, either by itself or along with alcohol.

Either way, if your ability to drive is impaired by a prescription drug, you could find yourself facing DUI charges. Since there is no specific amount of prescription drug that triggers a prescription drug DUI, the charge comes down to your individual level of impairment and how the drug affects you and your ability to drive safely.

The prosecution must prove that the total effect of whatever prescription drug you are taking puts you in a position of driving while impaired. This means your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely was significantly impaired.  

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 Posted on May 23, 2025 in Criminal Defense

A strict liability crime is one in which a defendant is held legally responsible for his or her actions regardless of whether the behavior was intentional or negligent. Strict liability means intent does not matter and only applies to certain crimes.

In criminal law, possession crimes and statutory rape are examples of strict liability crimes, while assault and certain other crimes require intent. If a criminal offense does not fall under strict liability, then there may be two "mistakes" that can qualify as a legal defense. These are mistakes of fact and mistakes of law.

Many criminal offenses that require the element of intent could potentially involve a mistake of fact or a mistake of law. To be found guilty in a criminal court of law, the prosecution must prove every element of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt.  

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