Can I Expunge My Criminal Record in Maryland?
If you’ve been arrested or charged in Maryland, an expungement can help erase certain records from public view, improving your chances for employment, housing, and education. Maryland law allows people to expunge dismissed cases, acquittals, certain probation before judgment (PBJ) outcomes, and even some convictions after a waiting period.
Can I Expunge My Criminal Record in Maryland? Continue reading…
Felony Theft Charges in Maryland: What You Need to Know
In Maryland, theft becomes a felony when the value of stolen property or services exceeds a certain threshold, often $1,500 or more. Felony theft convictions can lead to years in prison, heavy fines, and a permanent criminal record. It takes a former prosecutor to anticipate how the State builds these cases—and...
Felony Theft Charges in Maryland: What You Need to Know Continue reading…
How Criminal Charges Can Impact Government and Contract Jobs
A criminal charge in Maryland can have serious consequences beyond court fines or jail time—it can also jeopardize government employment and security clearances. Federal, state, and contract workers are often held to strict background and conduct standards. Even pending charges can trigger suspension, loss of clearance, or job termination. What you...
How Criminal Charges Can Impact Government and Contract Jobs Continue reading…
Defending Against Child Pornography Charges in Maryland
Being accused of possessing or distributing child sexual-abuse material—commonly referred to as child pornography—is among the most serious criminal allegations a person can face in Maryland. A conviction can result in years of imprisonment, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and permanent damage to your reputation and career.
At...
Defending Against Child Pornography Charges in Maryland Continue reading…
Search and Seizure Violations in Maryland: Suppressing Illegally Obtained Evidence
In Maryland, your Fourth Amendment rights protect you from illegal searches and seizures by law enforcement. When police violate these rights, evidence obtained as a result may be inadmissible in court, potentially undermining the prosecution’s case against you.
At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we defend clients in Annapolis,...
Search and Seizure Violations in Maryland: Suppressing Illegally Obtained Evidence Continue reading…
What to Know About Assault Charges from Domestic Disputes
Domestic disputes can escalate quickly, and when law enforcement is called, even a heated argument can result in criminal assault charges. In Maryland, domestic assault cases are taken extremely seriously, and prosecutors often move forward even if the alleged victim doesn’t want to “press charges.”
At Hartman Attorneys...
What to Know About Assault Charges from Domestic Disputes Continue reading…
Field Sobriety Test Mistakes That Could Help Your DUI Defense
If you’ve been pulled over for suspected driving under the influence (DUI) in Annapolis or elsewhere in Anne Arundel County, the officer may attempt to require you to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs). While these tests are intended to measure impairment, they are highly subjective, and mistakes in administration can significantly weaken...
Field Sobriety Test Mistakes That Could Help Your DUI Defense Continue reading…
What to Expect If You’re Charged With a First-Time Felony in Maryland
Being charged with a felony for the first time can be one of the most intimidating experiences of your life. Even if you have never been in trouble before, Maryland law treats felony charges seriously, and the outcome can affect your freedom, reputation, and future opportunities. Knowing what to expect can help...
What to Expect If You’re Charged With a First-Time Felony in Maryland Continue reading…
How Plea Bargains Work in Maryland Criminal Cases
When you’re facing criminal charges, the thought of going through a full trial can feel intimidating. In many Maryland cases, the prosecutor and defense attorney may discuss a plea bargain instead. A plea bargain is an agreement in which the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge or accepts a lighter...
How Plea Bargains Work in Maryland Criminal Cases Continue reading…
DUI Blood Tests vs. Breath Tests: What Maryland Drivers Need to Know
When you’re pulled over on suspicion of DUI in Maryland, you may be asked to take a chemical test to measure your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Most drivers know about the breath test, but fewer understand how blood tests work or the differences between the two. Both play a big role in...
DUI Blood Tests vs. Breath Tests: What Maryland Drivers Need to Know Continue reading…
What Happens to Your License After a DUI Arrest in Maryland?
After a DUI arrest in Maryland, police take your license and issue a 45-day temporary one, after which you face suspension unless you request an MVA hearing or enter the ignition interlock program. The suspension length depends on whether you failed or refused the breath test, though hearings,...
What Happens to Your License After a DUI Arrest in Maryland? Continue reading…
How to Fight a DUI Charge After Failing a Breath Test
Failing the results of a breath test during a DUI stop can feel like the end of the road, but it doesn’t automatically mean you will be convicted. Breathalyzer results are not always reliable, and Maryland law provides several avenues for challenging them. From machine calibration to police errors, there are many...
How to Fight a DUI Charge After Failing a Breath Test Continue reading…