The Washington Post By Dan Norse and Nicole Asbury July 23, 2023 A new trial was ordered for John Vigna, 56, who taught at a Montgomery County elementary school for more than 20 years ...“Trial counsel failed to investigate and prepare Vigna’s defense,” Vigna’s new...
There are thousands of criminal prosecutions in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., every single year. This means court dockets can become almost overwhelming. Still, the U.S. Constitution guarantees most criminal defendants speedy trials. Plea deals are one...
A Maryland criminal conviction has the potential to impact and upend many aspects of your life. Depending on the details surrounding your offense, some of the penalties you face in the aftermath of a criminal conviction may wind up impacting you for years to come....
In instances where you feel you have been wrongfully convicted of a crime, you can ask for post-conviction relief. These examine all factual and legal claims related to your case and take precedence over other court-related processes. Here is what you need to know...
Post-conviction relief in Maryland is an option if you are currently in jail or prison or serving probation or parole. The state distinguishes this from the type of relief you may seek to clear your record if you are not actively serving a sentence. The Officer of the...
The American legal system can be confusing. Because police detectives have extensive experience interviewing witnesses, the criminal justice process also can be intimidating. If you are not careful, you may say something prosecutors can use against you at trial....
If you are facing a criminal conviction, and you think that there was an error during your original trial, you have a right to appeal the decision. Because a conviction results in a major change of life circumstances, it may be worth examining the options for appeal....
One of the consequences of a felony conviction is the potential to lose your rights to own or possess a firearm. Whether you can get these rights back depends on where you live. Each state manages its own laws concerning felony consequences and the ability to restore...
Defendants in federal prosecutions have the right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment. That privilege includes the right to effective assistance of counsel. If your lawyer did not advise you properly or made legal mistakes during your trial resulting in a negative...
After a conviction, it may seem as if the only option remaining is to serve the sentence that the judge orders. However, the judge's orders are not always the final word in the case. The American Bar Association explains that the law allows the defendant to challenge...