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...
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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...
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What Happens to Your License After a DUI Arrest in Maryland?
If you are arrested for driving under the influence in Maryland, your driver’s license is immediately at risk. Beyond the criminal case, the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) has its own process that can impact your ability to drive. Understanding how MVA hearings, interlock rules, and temporary driving options work can help...
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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...
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Understanding the Ignition Interlock Program in Maryland
If you’ve been charged with or convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in Maryland, you may have heard of the Ignition Interlock Program. It’s one of the main tools the state uses to prevent repeat drunk driving incidents while still allowing people to drive for work, family, and daily needs. Understanding...
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Understanding Assault Charges Without Physical Injury in Maryland
When most people think of “assault,” they picture a physical fight or someone being injured. But in Maryland, you can be charged with assault even if no one was physically touched. In fact, certain actions, gestures, or threats that create a reasonable fear of imminent harm can lead to criminal prosecution.
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Crimes That Cause Security Clearance Revocation
For many professionals in the Annapolis area—especially those working at Naval Support Activity Annapolis, Fort Meade, or with federal contractors—a security clearance is essential for employment. But one arrest or conviction can put that clearance in jeopardy, threatening not just your current job but your entire career trajectory.
At...
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Charged with Drug Distribution Near a School in Maryland? What You Need to Know
In Maryland, drug distribution charges are already serious—but if the alleged offense happens near a school, the stakes rise dramatically. Under Maryland Criminal Law § 5-627, distributing controlled substances within a designated school zone carries enhanced penalties, including mandatory minimum prison sentences.
At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we...
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Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) in Maryland: Everything You Need to Know
If you’ve been charged with a crime in Maryland, you may have heard about Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) as a way to avoid a conviction on your record. While PBJ can be a valuable legal tool, it’s important to understand exactly how it works, who qualifies, and the potential long-term consequences before...
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How Is Intent to Distribute Proven in Maryland?
Being charged with possession with intent to distribute (PWID) in Maryland is far more serious than a simple possession charge. The difference often comes down to how prosecutors prove intent—and that proof doesn’t always require catching you in the act of a drug sale.
At Hartman Attorneys at...
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DUI and Hit & Run Charges: Can You Be Charged with Both?
Most people know that driving under the influence (DUI) and leaving the scene of an accident (hit-and-run) are serious crimes in Maryland. But what many don’t realize is that these charges can—and often do—occur together in the same case.
At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we’ve defended clients in...
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Can I Be Charged with DUI in Maryland if I Passed a Field Sobriety Test?
Field sobriety tests are often seen as a “make-or-break” moment during a DUI stop. Many drivers believe that if they pass the walk-and-turn or balance test, they’re in the clear. Unfortunately, passing a field sobriety test doesn’t always stop an officer from making an arrest, and it certainly won’t guarantee that you...
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