Even though there are plenty of people in jails and prisons in the U.S., it is not necessarily easy for prosecutors to secure convictions. Before even bringing criminal charges against a defendant, most prosecutors have to be certain they have compelling evidence....
A week ago, I wrote about Tyrie Washington v. State of Maryland, a decision by the Supreme Court of Maryland filed on December 19, 2022, which held that unprovoked flight in a high-crime neighborhood provides reasonable articulable suspicion to conduct a Terry stop....
On December 19, 2022, the Supreme Court of Maryland filed Washington v. State, No. 15, September Term, 2022, addressing whether unprovoked flight in a high-crime neighborhood adds to the reasonable articulable suspicion necessary to detain a person under the Fourth...
Many people have heard of their Miranda rights due to the popular trope in movies and shows featuring police officers. However, you may not actually understand how your Miranda rights work. You may not know the purpose of these rights in real life, or what giving up...
If you are facing criminal charges, you are probably ready to put them behind you. While there certainly is nothing wrong with wanting to move on with your life, you do not want to do anything to make matters worse for yourself. Unfortunately, prematurely accepting a...
Regarding theft crimes in Washington D.C., specific actions can fall under either a violent crime or a property crime. In general usage, people use the terms robbery and burglary interchangeably. In the courts, though, these words have more specific meanings and come...
Many people behind bars in Maryland and other parts of the country are there because someone said they saw them commit particular offenses. Many people believe eyewitness testimony is one of the most compelling and convincing types of evidence in a court case....
Facing false accusations in a courtroom can put your confidence into a tailspin. You may feel hopeless about your future and the likelihood of restoring your image. Even though you know that you are not guilty, proving your innocence to others often requires a lot of...
When you receive a sentence for a criminal conviction, there is the possibility that you will become incarcerated. Where you spend your time behind bars depends on a few factors. The National Institute of Justice explains you could either go to jail or prison. They...
Trace DNA uses STR analysis to identify skin cells or other tiny specimens of human genetic material left behind at a crime scene. In court, defense teams can protect clients against life-changing charges by pinpointing whose DNA was at the scene. The scientific...