Is It Illegal to Drive While Taking Prescription Medication in Maryland?
A valid prescription does not automatically mean you are safe to drive. Although driving while taking some prescription medications is legal in Maryland, you can face impaired-driving charges if a drug affects your ability to operate a vehicle safely. The issue is not simply whether you were legally prescribed the medication. Police...
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When Can a Juvenile Be Charged as an Adult in Maryland?
Being under 18 does not always mean a criminal case will stay in juvenile court. Maryland law allows certain serious offenses allegedly committed by older juveniles to begin in adult criminal court. Whether that happens depends largely on the child's age and the offense charged. In some cases, the defense can ask...
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Is It Legal to Bring Cannabis Into Maryland From Another State?
Legal in both states does not mean legal between the states. You cannot legally bring cannabis into Maryland from another state, even if you purchased it legally and are old enough to possess cannabis under Maryland law. Cannabis remains prohibited under federal law, and transporting it across state lines is illegal. Maryland's...
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Where Are Juvenile Criminal Cases Heard in Anne Arundel County?
Your child has been accused of a crime, and now you have paperwork telling you to appear in court. Where exactly does a juvenile case go? Most juvenile delinquency cases in Anne Arundel County are handled by the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, sitting as the Juvenile Court, in Annapolis. Maryland's...
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Common Defenses to Second-Degree Assault Charges in Maryland
One argument can produce two completely different stories. That does not mean the State can prove an assault occurred. Common defenses to second-degree assault in Maryland include self-defense, defense of another person, lack of criminal intent, accidental contact, insufficient evidence, and challenges to the accuser's version of events. The right defense depends...
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Can You Be Charged With Shoplifting if You Forgot to Pay?
You grab your bags, walk out of the store, and realize you didn't pay for an item. Can that mistake really result in a criminal charge? You can be accused of shoplifting in Maryland for leaving a store without paying, but an accusation is not proof of theft.
Maryland...
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What Happens if You Missed a Court Date Because You Were Sick?
You wake up seriously ill on the morning of court. Staying home may be medically necessary, but your case does not automatically get postponed because you are sick. If you miss a required court appearance in Maryland, the judge may issue a bench warrant or take other action even when illness...
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When Can You Legally Claim Self-Defense in Maryland?
A fight does not automatically make both people criminals. In Maryland, self-defense may justify using force when you reasonably believe you are in immediate danger of bodily harm and use no more force than reasonably necessary under the circumstances. Deadly force is subject to stricter requirements. Whether self-defense applies often turns on...
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Does a Heated Argument Count as Domestic Violence in Maryland?
A raised voice does not automatically make an argument domestic violence. In Maryland, couples and family members can argue without committing a crime. But the situation changes when an argument involves physical contact, threats that place someone in fear of imminent harm, stalking, harassment, or other conduct prohibited by law. Police...
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What Is the Difference Between DUI Causing Bodily Injury and DUI Manslaughter?
The primary difference between DUI causing bodily injury and what is commonly called "DUI manslaughter" is the outcome of the crash. When impaired driving allegedly causes another person to suffer injuries, prosecutors may pursue charges based on those injuries. When the alleged impaired driving results in a death, the case may...
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How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Maryland?
A Maryland DUI can affect both your criminal record and your driving record, but those are not the same thing. How long the offense remains, whether it can be removed, and who can see it depend on how your case was resolved. A conviction, Probation Before Judgment (PBJ), dismissal, or acquittal...
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What Is the Difference Between Drug Possession and Drug Paraphernalia Charges?
Drug possession and drug paraphernalia charges are separate offenses under Maryland law. Drug possession focuses on the controlled dangerous substance itself, while paraphernalia charges involve items allegedly used to produce, package, store, test, or consume drugs. Although these charges often arise from the same police investigation, prosecutors must prove different elements for...
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