Sentencing guidelines help determine a fair punishment for someone convicted of a crime. When errors occur in applying these guidelines, they can affect the fairness of the sentence. Post-conviction relief offers a chance to address these errors, which may lead to a...
When investigators first started using DNA in criminal cases, many believed it could identify a person with complete certainty. But identical twins challenge that idea. Because they share almost the same genetic material, standard DNA tests cannot tell one twin from...
Mail fraud may sound like a simple term, but it covers a wide range of actions that involve deception through the postal system. Understanding what behaviors can lead to a charge can help you recognize how serious this offense can be. What qualifies as mail fraud Mail...
Trace DNA, or touch DNA, is tiny amounts of genetic material left on an object after brief contact. Just a few skin cells can create a DNA profile. This evidence can connect someone to a crime scene, but it can also lead to mistakes. In Maryland, appeals courts often...
When facing a custodial interrogation in Maryland, your words matter. While you may cooperate and answer questions from an officer, doing so can do more harm than good. Under the Fifth Amendment, you have the right to remain silent. Understanding more about this right...
When a prosecutor hides evidence that could help you, the trial becomes unfair. This is called a Brady violation, and it can open the door for post-conviction relief. Knowing how these violations work helps you understand why they matter so much in the justice system....
When someone faces trial, fairness depends on an impartial jury. Yet, bias can slip into the process through prejudice, preconceived opinions, or exposure to outside information. If that bias influences the verdict, the question becomes whether appellate courts can...
DNA testing often plays a major role in criminal cases. It can connect a person to a crime scene or rule them out entirely. While DNA analysis is highly advanced, mistakes can still happen. These errors may lead to incorrect conclusions if the testing process is not...
When a conviction rests on flawed forensic testimony, the stakes could not be higher. Forensic evidence often carries significant weight with juries, but if that evidence is wrong, the impact can be devastating. In some cases, proving that forensic testimony was...
The evidence locker at your local police department holds more than just old files and fingerprints. Police and forensic labs are retesting decades-old crime scene DNA samples using modern techniques, which can lead to new prosecutions. Chances are, your genetic...