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Lawyer: Maryland lawmaker to plead guilty to operating boat under influence in boating crash

PASADENA, Md. — A Maryland lawmaker plans to plead guilty to operating a motorboat while drunk before an August accident that injured several people, in exchange for dropping charges accusing him of causing the collision, his attorney said Monday.

Did O.J. Simpson's lawyer have a conflict of interest?

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A lawyer who represented O.J. Simpson during the appeal of his armed robbery conviction to the Nevada Supreme Court testified Thursday that he's convinced that Simpson's lead trial lawyer made decisions in the case based on his own ...

Lawmaker's attorney appeals 30-day jail sentence

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland lawmaker involved in a boating crash that injured several people was sentenced to 30 days in jail on Tuesday for operating a motorboat under the influence of alcohol, but his attorney has appealed the case to a higher court.

Brady v. Maryland Turns 50, But Defense Attorneys Aren't Celebrating

One of the Supreme Court's most celebrated criminal procedure decisions turns 50 years old Monday. By a 7-2 vote, the Court ruled in the 1963 case Brady v. Maryland that under the 14th Amendment's due process clause, prosecutors are obligated to ...

Alleged BGF leader Tavon White will be moved to U.S. custody

His lawyer Gary E. Proctor complained earlier this week about the conditions he faced at a Maryland prison in Cumberland. In a court order, U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan K. Gauvey cited the "allegations of corruption among the Division of ...

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyer at Gilman & Bedigian Comments on Proposal to Sue Bars and Restaurants for Drunk Driving Deaths and Injuries

Those establishments need to be held accountable. Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) May 07, 2013 Baltimore personal injury attorney H. Briggs Bedigian, of Gilman & Bedigian, LLC, today said a pending court case examining the responsibility of bars and restaurants in ...

Alleged gang leader being held in poor conditions, lawyer says

"It appears possible, if not probable, that Mr. White's continued incarceration by the Maryland Department of Corrections will harm the attorney-client relationship and effective preparation for trial," Proctor added. The U.S. attorney's office ...

Suspected arsonists judged fit for trial

Attorneys for the engaged couple filed a motion to seal the competency evaluation reports, but after hearing arguments at a brief hearing May 15, General District Judge Gordon Vincent denied the motion, citing a Court of Appeals decision in a ...

Ex-OJ lawyer to testify in bid for new Vegas trial

Miami attorney Yale Galanter is scheduled to testify Friday in ... Cancellation notices must be submitted to circulation@capgaznews.com or 410-268-4800. 2 Maryland Gazette home delivery plus digital access$4.99 for 30 days Home delivery of the Wednesday ...

Doctors, Trial Lawyers Back 'Provider Shield' Law in GA

Physicians and attorneys—uncommon allies—support a Georgia law that ... MAG President W. Scott Bohlke, MD, said the new law will protect "physicians in the state from some unreasonable and unnecessary standards and legal liabilities."

Resolved Question: How can i get 2nd degree assault charges dropped?

Me and my girlfriend got into an argument outside of her house inside my car i said something mean to her that she did not like she began hitting me in the face several times she would not stop when i asked her too, the car was in reverse at the time and we almost rolled into the street and hit another car but i stopped the car just in time.. after that she began hitting me again i got extremely mad and hit her hands back which hit her in the face which caused a cut and bleeding she screamed to her mother and her mother called the police.. the police arrived and questioned us both separately.. she told them the exact truth and told them that she was hitting me and i hit her back in self defense i told them the exact same story. neither of us is pressing charges on eachother.. i had a few abrasions on my face and she had a cut which was bleeding.. no one was arrested. we are now being summoned to court for second degree assault charges. i am hoping the case will somehow be dropped or maybe eventually expunged off my record for me, due to the fact that i have no previous criminal history.. what are the chances of this please help? I am a resident of Maryland. more

Resolved Question: Judicial Branch Case Questions?

8. Case # 2: John was arrested and tried on charges for larceny and burglary. He was acquitted on the larceny charge but found guilty on the burglary charge. The Appellate Court later ruled that the jury at John’s trial was selected improperly. John was offered the option of a new trial. At the second trial, John was found guilty of both larceny and burglary, even though he was acquitted of larceny at the first trial. The case was appealed to the U.S Supreme Court. Which Bill of Rights amendment is at issue here? What do you think was the Supreme Court’s decision in this case? Did the Supreme Court side with John or the government? 9. Case # 3: Charles was convicted of illegal gambling. At the trial, prosecutors produced conversations of Charles placing bets in a public telephone booth that were recorded by the FBI. Charles’ attorney challenged the conviction, arguing that that the recordings could not be used as evidence because the FBI did not obtain a warrant to record the conversations. The case was appealed to the U.S Supreme Court. Which Bill of Rights amendment is at issue here? What do you think was the Supreme Court’s decision in this case? Did the Supreme Court side with Charles or the government? Case # 4: John Terry was observed by Cleveland police standing on a street corner acting suspiciously. He walked by a certain store over twenty times and police felt he was “casing’ the store for a robbery. When police approached Terry and patted him down for weapons, they discovered he was armed. He was arrested for carrying concealed weapons and was sentenced to three years in prison. Terry’s attorney argued that the evidence obtained during the search should not have been allowed as evidence at the trial. Which Bill of Rights amendment is at issue here? What do you think was the Supreme Court’s decision in this case? Did the Supreme Court side with Terry or the government? more

Resolved Question: Help will i be in trouble? I dont want to appear in court anymore!?

Okay so i went to court today to act as a witness against the defender in a murder trial. I agreed to become a witness and my boss said to make it appear that the defendant, a burglar, killed the woman so to not incriminate my boss. So I said that from the hotel room window i was staying in, i saw the defendant sneak in and hit the woman with a statue. I told the court that I clearly saw the burglar hit the woman but the freaking defense attorney showed that I was lying and i panicked and now the judge said i committed perjury. Now the judge wants me to testify again tomorrow and he also wants to find my boss and make him testify tomorrow. Now me and my boss is in trouble because the defense attorney wants to question him and he became a suspected person. What is perjury and am I in trouble?? I don't want to appear again in court tomorrow so how do i make it so that i dont have to testify again?? more

Resolved Question: Should I get a Lawyer?

I am 17 in the state of Maryland. I was caught shoplifting. It was about $260 worth of merchandise. The store is pressing charges. I'm getting a notice with a court date within the next month. This is the first time i have been charged of a crime. Should I hire a lawyer to come to court..or perhaps hire a lawyer for an hour for some sort of a consultation so they can prepare me? Please don't lecture me on how wrong it is. Just Legal Advice more

Resolved Question: Law advice for the state of Maryland(Annapolis).?

So I was cited with an MIC last new years in Annapolis Maryland and I'm freaking out on what to do. I have no previous record or charges and so I'm hoping that I will be able to get it off of my record through a class that I have heard about called diversion. My friend walked me through what will happen and said that I should go to the preliminary trial and plead "not guilty" and come back for the standard trial and a prosecutor will call me into a room and offer me diversion if I have no previous offenses. He also told me that if the prosecutor doesn't call me into a room and I go up before the judge, that I should request the diversion class to get the MIC off of my record. Can anyone verify if this is pretty much the steps I need to follow? more

Resolved Question: First 10 amendments??? Am I right?

For my social studies class, we were assigned to write the first 10 amendments in our own words. I was just wondering if I did them right. Than you! 1.This amendment gives people the right of speech, press, and to assemble with one another. 2.This amendment gives people the right to own a gun (Bear arms) 3.This amendment says that soldiers can’t be put into your house in times of peace unless directed by a jury. 4.This amendment says that no one can search into your things unless they have a warrant. 5.This amendment says that people can’t be forced to testify against themselves, and that they have the right to remain silent. 6.This amendment says that people have the right to have a fast and public trial. 7.This amendment says that if you’re suing someone for something that’s over 20 dollars, you have the right to have a jury take in your case. 8.This amendment says that you can’t have any cruel and unusual punishments put on you as well as excessive fines. 9.This amendment says that just because some rights aren’t in the constitution it doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. 10.This amendment says that any laws not listed in the constitution are left in the hand of the states to pass/ approve them. more

Resolved Question: I'm taking a Criminology class and needed help with some homework =)?

1) X meets Y on a dating site. They have a good time at a bar and leave at 2 a.m. (they are not inebriated). X asks Y to drive him home. As it turns out X lives in an isolated area with which Y is totally unfamiliar. They talk for a few minutes and X invites Y up to his apartment. Y explains that she is in a custody fight with her ex-husband over her kids and wants to avoid intimacies until this is settled. X says “fine” and grabs Y’s car keys and cell phone and says “you can have these back later….after you visit with me…You can come with me or remain in the car.” Y is scared and accompanies X to X’s one room apartment. Y sits on the bed while X goes to the washroom. The door to the apartment is closed, but unlocked and there is a phone adjacent to the bed. X returns and asks Y to undress. Y cries and pleads “why me…I do not want to do this…?” X firmly strokes and squeezes Y’s neck for ten seconds and says “you can go home after we have some fun together…now undress and get into the bed.” X and Y share intimacies with one another. During the encounter Y displays no emotion and remains unresponsive. Y leaves immediately after interacting with X and the next morning reports to the police about what happened. Y is small and in stature and X is a former professional wrestler. X does not dispute any of the facts outlined above. A) Apply the statute and the court’s analysis in Berkowitz to these facts. Was Y raped by X? B) Apply the statute and court’s analysis in M.T.S. to these facts. Was Y raped by X? C). Assume that what you read actually was a scene from Y’s audition for a movie. The director, D, tells Y that she can have the role if she shares intimacies with him. D actually has already given the part to another actress. Y later learns that she did not get the part despite having spent the evening in bed with D and claims that she was raped? Did D rape Y? E) Consider the rape shield statute. May the defense attorney introduce evidence that Y was “flirting” with X throughout the evening, dressed in a “provocative manner,” and had dated five men whom she met on the dating site, and had “slept” with one of the men whom she met? G) At trial Y claims that during her “sexual interaction” with X that she told X that she “had to get home, and wanted X to “to end this” and “that she did not enjoy this at all.” X disputes that this statement was made. X claims that the music in the apartment was so loud that “no one could hear anything.” Was Y raped by X after X continued to interact with her after Y asked X to “stop?” H) (this is based on the scenario in C) Assume that Y is a very mature and sexually experienced, and sophisticated thirteen year old. Y wants to insure that Y gets the part in the film and seduces D, who is twenty-five years old. Y tells D that she will accuse D of (statutory) raping her if D does not give Y the part in the film. This takes place in Maryland. D tells Y that Y cannot be held liable for rape because their interaction was consensual and Y seduced him. Is D correct? Would your answer be different if D was fifteen years old? 2) X decides to rob Y. X approaches Y on a busy street and tells Y not to turn around. X directs Y to move from the street into an isolated alley. X demands that Y turn over all of Y’s money to X. Y complies. Was Y kidnapped. X is carrying an old firearm that constantly jams and is unreliable and is virtually useless. X pulls the trigger and the gun jams. Y whose back is to X hears a “loud click” and has no idea what explains the sound. X flees and is apprehended by the police. Y never turned around to look at X during the robbery. Y learns from the police that X was armed and breaks down in tears. Is X guilty of attempted battery assault? Is X guilty of “placing another in fear of a battery assault?” 3) X plans to divorce X’s spouse Y. X arrives home to discover Y in a loving embrace with X’s best friend, F. The next day X goes to F’s house and in a fit of passion and emotion kills F. What must the prosecutor establish to convict X of voluntary manslaughter? It turns out that X did not love Y any longer and did not mind that F was involved with Y. Will X be held liable for voluntary manslaughter? Now consider a second question. X killed F because earlier in the day F told X that F planned to tell the police that X was the killer. Will X be held liable for voluntary manslaughter based on X’s reaction to F’s statement? more

Resolved Question: Do you really get more from a lawyer for more money?

There is the old adage " you get what you pay for" but sometimes, this doesn't hold true. I was wrongly charged with a 4th degree burglary and i have a very good case. Nonetheless, i have read 'Holes' (just kidding), and know that sometimes, you can be convicted even though you are innocent if the circumstances are damning enough or the case is mishandled. That is why i have been looking for attorneys in the maryland area. Some have quoted high, some low, some frauds. A friend of mine once said that if you give a lawyer double what he is asking, you will have a far better shot of winning because he/she will really take the case to heart. I'm sure it helps but Is this really the case? all the lawyers charge generally around 1200 to do this for me, but some have gone lower: 900, 800, and even 600. to hangle the case. And they are REPUTABLE LAWYERS. The question is, will they not make a strong attempt at the case and just plea it down, or will they fight to get it dismissed? because i am on a marijuana stet docket, I NEED TO HAVE THIS DISMISSED with or without community service. This cannot be a PBJ. Basically, if the lawyer is good, does his price have to be high or can i be getting a break? Money is an issue for me, mostly because it frustrates me to spend money to get out of something i didnt do. Help me yahoos! more

Resolved Question: Chances for Transfer to George Washington University?

I am applying to George Washington, American, Maryland College Park, George Mason. and Syracuse in NY. I am an IR major at a small Catholic college in MA. My HS GPA was around a 3.8. My college GPA is around 3.3. I speak Greek fluently and currently taking Arabic (resulting in the lower GPA). I will be taking Russian as well next semester. For ECs in college I do: Model UN (Created Club) Youth in Government Young Americans for Liberty (E-board Member) Have my own political talk-show College Republicans Served in Student Gov. as Senator In HS I was: Model UN President Mock Trial attorney National Honor Society Amnesty International Finalist in Law Day A political intern in Boston State House and during State Sen campaign Many different Volunteer projects I am also applying to be a sophomore next fall semester. more

Resolved Question: Chances for Transfer to DC universities?

I am applying to George Washington, American, Maryland College Park, George Mason. and Syracuse in NY. I am an IR major at a small Catholic college in MA. My HS GPA was around a 3.8. My college GPA is around 3.3. I speak Greek fluently and currently taking Arabic (resulting in the lower GPA). I will be taking Russian as well next semester. For ECs in college I do: Model UN (Created Club) Youth in Government Young Americans for Liberty (E-board Member) Have my own political talk-show College Republicans Served in Student Gov. as Senator In HS I was: Model UN President Mock Trial attorney National Honor Society Amnesty International Finalist in Law Day A political intern in Boston State House and during State Sen campaign Many different Volunteer projectsI am also applying to be a sophomore next fall semester. more

Resolved Question: whats the penalty for giveing false signed statement at a time of arrest in Maryland?

i was arrested for paraphernalia and like an idiot told the police in a signed statment that this guy i was with who had some green on him was going to sell me a gram of weed. now hes in jail and wants to go to trial and i might be subpoenaed by the state to comfirm my statment. can i say i was scared and lied on the statment. i wasnt under oath so whats the deal. PLEASE HELP i dont want to testify against him in court. more

Resolved Question: Why do republicans hate democracy?

BALTIMORE — A Baltimore jury Tuesday convicted a political aide to former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich of conspiring to suppress black voter turnout during the 2010 gubernatorial election. Paul Schurick was found guilty of all four counts he faced, including conspiracy to violate state election laws and attempting to influence a voter’s decision whether to go to the polls through the use of fraud. Schurick had testified that he rejected campaign consultant Julius Henson’s black voter suppression strategy but later approved an automated telephone call sent on Election Day to about 110,000 Democratic voters in heavily black jurisdictions. The call told them to relax because Gov. Martin O’Malley had already won. Schurick said it was meant to mobilize crossover Democrats, not keep people from going to the polls. Prosecutors argued the calls to voters in Baltimore city and Prince George’s County, two jurisdictions with high percentages of black voters, were an effort by the Republican campaign to reduce the number of black Democrats voting in heavily Democratic Maryland. "Hello. I’m calling to let everybody know that Governor O’Malley and President Obama have been successful," the call said. "Our goals have been met. The polls were correct, and we took it back. We’re OK. Relax. Everything’s fine. The only thing left is to watch it on TV tonight. Congratulations, and thank you." O’Malley handily won last year’s rematch against the Republican Ehrlich, whom he had unseated in 2006. In his closing argument, State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt branded as "ridiculous" the explanation by Ehrlich’s former campaign director that the calls were a counterintuitive attempt to spur Ehrlich supporters to head to the polls. Davitt reminded jurors of a July meeting where Henson — whose trial in the case is set to begin in February — proposed a plan dubbed "The Schurick Doctrine" to suppress the black vote, a plan Schurick testified that he rejected. "We may never know what Schurick was thinking, but we know that he knew what Henson was thinking and he kept him around," he said. Defense attorney A. Dwight Pettit told the jury in his closing argument that the robocalls may seem stupid now, but at the time, Schurick was depending on high-priced campaign consultant Julius Henson who was telling him that was how to get the votes the campaign needed to win. "Maybe he shouldn’t have listened to the consultant," he said. Henson, whose trial on similar charges is set to begin in February, has said he did not believe the calls were illegal and weren’t meant to suppress the vote. Schurick was charged with attempting to influence a voter’s decision on whether to go to the polls through the use of fraud and failing to provide an authority line on distributed campaign material and two counts of conspiracy to violate state election laws. The authority line violations carry a maximum of a year in prison if convicted. The other charges carry up to five years in prison for each count. Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Fletcher-Hill dismissed an additional conspiracy count and one count of obstruction of justice for allegedly withholding documentation sought through a grand jury subpoena. more

Resolved Question: Getting Prosecuting Atty to Share Evidence with your Atty?

Okay, during a criminal investigation, is there any way to get the prosecuting attorney to share with your attorney what evidence may or may not yet be found before the investigation is complete? I've been told the answer is "no", so if anyone can back that up with law or back up a "yes" with law, then it'd be best... All I'm needing is one bit of information, not everything the prosecutor may have... more

Resolved Question: Have all 17 of these Baltimore Police Officers been charged in this Conspiracy?

Seventh city officer pleads guilty to extortion - September 13, 2011 Baltimore Police Officer Jhonn S. Corona pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges of conspiracy and extortion for accepting kickbacks from the owners of an auto repair shop in a scheme that spread through the department. Seventeen officers were charged in the case through a criminal complaint, and 10 of them were also indicted by a grand jury, though more charges could be coming. Prosecutors indicated in a court filing last month that they intend to file a "superseding indictment in the fall." Charges against one officer — Eric Ivan Ayala Olivera — were dismissed late last month. Prosecutors declined to explain the decision Tuesday, and the officer's attorney could not be reached for comment - Corona, 33, is the seventh officer to take a deal in the case, and the first to be convicted of conspiracy alongside brothers Hernan Moreno and Edwin Mejia, who own Majestic Auto Repair Shop in Rosedale. The brothers pleaded guilty in July to bribing officers to send accident customers to Majestic for towing services and automobile repairs, and they admitted increasing vehicle damage to boost insurance bills. In his plea deal, Corona confirmed that he steered people to Majestic in exchange for cash and other payments of between $150 and $300 from the company owners between 2008 and February of this year. He also admitted damaging his own car, a Honda Civic, to defraud his insurance company. He and Moreno drove it into a pole, court papers claim, and Corona told his insurer that the vehicle had been involved in a hit and run. The company declared it a total loss and cut Corona a check for more than $3,200. The payments made to Corona, along with the damage intentionally inflicted on vehicles, add up to a loss of at least $120,000, according to the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, though the judge will determine the actual loss at Corona's sentencing. Corona declined to comment through an attorney after the hearing Tuesday. His crimes carry a maximum of 25 years in prison, though he will more likely be sentenced to a term of less than seven years, according to provisions in his plea agreement. The officer has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors as part of his plea deal, which could lower his eventual penalty. Accordingly, his sentencing was delayed until after the February trial of the remaining defendants. Three other officers have also agreed to delay their sentencings: David Reeping, Michael Cross and Jermaine Rice. more

Resolved Question: If you Have been Arrested, How do you find out if the Officer is on The/A(Brady List) about Credibility issues?

City officials have identified one out of every 17 Denver police officers as having discipline issues serious enough that their courtroom testimony may be suspect. Those officers were listed as witnesses in more than 1,100 cases in the past 12 months, a review of court data maintained by the Police Department shows. The names of the officers show up on a list maintained by the offices of the city attorney and Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey. Prosecutors use the list to alert defense lawyers anytime one of the officers might be called as a witness on a criminal case. But despite safeguards put in place that are meant to ensure defense lawyers know which officers have a history of deception or lawbreaking, the system is not always effective or efficient - Attorneys say judges are inconsistent when it comes to letting them see the personnel files of officers on the list so they can determine how best to cross-examine them. And no system is in place to alert defendants when an officer is under investigation for what the Police Department calls "departing from the truth," and notifications also aren't sent alerting a defense lawyer if an officer gets fired for such a violation. As a result, defense attorneys never learned about the seven officers who were ultimately fired this year for being untruthful. Meanwhile, even while under investigation for being untruthful, those officers were listed as witnesses in nearly 60 cases in the past 12 months and jurors were never told about the allegations. "There is no uniform practice in Denver court as to how this information is conveyed," said Chris Baumann, head of the Denver trial office of the Colorado State Public Defender's Office. "It's very frustrating. You know the information is out there, and you know it is in the possession of law enforcement." City officials began maintaining the list of officers in 2008 after a year-long debate among city officials over whether defense lawyers should be alerted to police discipline that could be favorable to a defendant. The list is meant to put the city in compliance with the requirements of a 1963 court case, Brady vs. Maryland. In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that prosecutors are required to divulge evidence favorable to a defendant. Despite the creation of the list, Baumann said defense lawyers remain frustrated. More often than not, a defense lawyer never will get to see the details of the case that ended up putting a police officer on the list, Baumann said. If an officer appears on the list, the prosecution alerts the defense. The notification reads: "The District Attorney has received notice that this officer has been subject to an administrative finding that may or may not prove relevant if he or she testifies in a criminal matter. Information regarding this administrative proceeding should be obtained through the Denver Police Department's Civil Liabilities Bureau." The city has taken the stance that notification is sufficient to meet the city's requirement to divulge evidence favorable to a defendant. It is left up to a defense lawyer to pursue getting any further information, and that pursuit often is fruitless, Baumann said. - Anytime a defense lawyer tries to use the list to subpoena the personnel files of an officer listed as a witness, the city attorney's office will fight back and argue the officer has privacy rights, Baumann said. Prosecutors also will seek to block release, saying that the information is irrelevant, he added. Police officers also can have their own personal lawyers fight the subpoena. It is left up to the judge to determine whether the personnel files see the light of day, Baumann said. "Judges across the board are reluctant to release these personnel files," he said. "Some of them will release the files. Others are very reluctant to do so, and they will ask us to make certain records to justify our request that we simply can't make." Officers on the list A review of the list, called the "asterisk list" by defense lawyers and prosecutors, sheds some light on the inner workings of discipline at the Police Department at a time when the city has initiated a new, get- tough policy for officers who engage in wrongdoing. The list includes the names of about 81 officers still on the force out of 1,434. At least eight officers on the list have two or more violations. One officer has three violations. The officers on the list have been found to have committed violations in at least one of the following categories: departing from the truth, violating the law, making false reports, making misleading or inaccurate statements, committing a deceptive act, engaging in conduct prohibited by law, engaging in aggravated conduct prohibited by law, conspiring to commit conduct prohibited by law, soliciting or accepting a bribe, removing reporAt least seven officers are on the list for driving under the influence. At least 13 of the officers are on the list for violations involving dishonesty, considered a fireable offense at many police departments because such a finding could call into question whether an officer would testify truthfully.And those are just the ones whose cases have been resolved with a finding that the complaint was "sustained." An untold number of other officers may be under investigation for dishonesty but testifying on any given day with no notice to the defenseHow others handle alertDefense attorney Darren Cantor said the lack of notification of officers under investigation causes problems. Internal affairs investigations can take years to resolve and, meanwhile, officers could end up testifying in dozens of cases even though their superiors are preparing their justification for firing them, Cantor said. Defendants and jurors may never learn an officer had major credibility issues.Some jurisdictions have different systems for identifying officers with credibility problems. Carol Chambers, the district attorney for Colorado's 18th Judicial District, has a committee that regularly reviews the personnel files of officers and alerts defense lawyers to issuesChambers, who declined to comment, even was sued once by an Aurora police sergeant after she warned defense lawyers she believed the sergeant "lacks integrity" and is dishonest. A judge in 2005 ruled in Chambers' favor, finding that Chambers could continue sending the alerts to defense attorneys.In Los Angeles, after scandal hit an anti-gang unit in the police department, prosecutors began providing to defense lawyers exculpatory evidence involving corrupt police officers.Prosecutors there also set up a system that dealt with officers who were under investigation for wrongdoing. Once the internal affairs investigation concluded, the prosecution reviewed all the criminal cases that required testimony from the officer. Then prosecutors alerted defense lawyers who handled cases involving the officer, starting from the date the officer engaged in wrongdoing.When questioned about the lack of providing notifications when Denver officers are under investigation, Lynn Kimbrough, the spok more

Resolved Question: 29mph over speeding ticket in Garrett County, Maryland?

I was caught going 94 in a 65 in Garrett County, Maryland. If it were 84 in a 55, I would get a 160$ fine and only 2 points, but because the speed limit was over 65mph, I am facing $290 ticket and 5 points. I have the option of paying the fine and accepting the points, requesting a waiver hearing or requesting a trial. Should I request the hearing or the trial? I know that I am guilty, but I just want the points and fine lowered. The only thing is that I won't be around at all because I go to school out of state, and it would be expensive for me to travel back for court. What is my best option? Please only answer if you have similar experience (going 20-29mph over in 65+speed limit zone) or are a cop or lawyer. Thanks more

Resolved Question: What did Abraham Lincoln Do?

I'm Canadian and doing a project on how Abraham Lincoln fits into the great man theory. Of course I have a hard time grasping this subject and I left it to the last second to research. I was wondering if anyone who know about Abraham Lincoln could help me out... I know his basic biography to start my introduction but there were a couple things I would like help with so I can get going. What were the major points/achievments in Lincoln's life? What qualities did he show as a leader? more

Resolved Question: Help with Misdemeanor Case in Maryland?

Okay. So here are all of the honest-to-God truths. My best friend and I have known each other for 13 years, but our relationship has been falling apart for the past 2. She started doing drugs and drinking (we are both 20), and I feel like I don't know her anymore. We went shopping two days ago, she didn't have any money, so she decided that she was going to steal some stuff while in the dressing room. Being as naive as I am, I thought that I could reconnect to her if I took part in the petty theft, and the worst that could happen would be a civil case between us and the store. Boy was I wrong. We got caught because apparently she has stolen from that same store before, an officer came, and wrote me a citation for a misdemeanor of theft for under $100 (I am thanking the Lord that it wasn't anything worse). I know it was completely irresponsible and absolutely stupid, when the whole thing was happening with the officer, I was balling my eyes out and having a panic attack because I couldn't believe I would let my morale go and stoop so low. Back to the case issue... I utterly cannot afford a lawyer and cannot afford to be convicted. This is the first time I have EVER been charged with anything and believe me, it will definitely be the last. I am begging and praying that the judge (who I will be seeing in a week and a half for my arraignment) will be gracious enough to allow me a pre-trial diversion so that I can set things right and not have this go on my record. I was wondering since this is my first offense, I am going to pay restitution to the store when they bill me, am willing to pay a fine, do community service, and possibly even do probation, how likely am I to successfully get PTD? Like I said, I live in Maryland, so I don't know how or if that affects my eligibility. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated and I swear to God that all of this is the truth and I promise that I will never do anything ignorant like this again. Thank you all in advance. more

Resolved Question: Lawyer Costs for PBJ (probation before judgement)?

I have recently been charged with a misdemeanor which I am to appear in district court for. Because I have no record and the crime committed was petty and eligible, I believe I can be granted probation before judgement. Of course, I will have to hire a lawyer for this. Does anyone know the average charge from a lawyer to complete this process, particularly in the state of Maryland? more

Resolved Question: what is the difference between a trial appearance and a court appearance? please read info?

ok so im from maryland and last early january i got a possession of cds paraphanelia charge. my court date was scheduled for last monday. I did not even have to go, my lawyer said that he was able to go and represent me for this. he just called me back and told me that i have to go to trial on april 5th? and now im confused with the difference. also, will i get tested at this trial thing? more

Resolved Question: Legal question about withholding evidence?

This just popped in my mind so I thought I'd ask. Can charges be dropped if the prosecution is withholding evidence that may prove the defendant innocent? more

Resolved Question: Legal Help Needed For Police Corruption/Perjury Case?

the officer charged me with disorderly conduct possession of marijuana and carrying a knife even though the marijuana was my friends dope and the cop took to from him to plant on me while i was in the police car and had also lied on the police report saying i had acted in a disorderly manner. is there any that i can fight the case back can i take a lie detector or can they see the actual evidence to see that my fingerprints were not on that weed can my friends help me fight the case too PLEASE SOMEBODY TELL WHAT I CAN DO TO DEFEND MY SELF IN COURT AGAINST A CORRUPT COP PS THE ONLY REASON WHY I HAD THE KNIFE WITH IS BECAUSE I MY SELF HAD BEEN STABBED APRIL OF 2010 SO IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING NEGATIVE TO SAY DON'T SAY IT AT ALL more

Resolved Question: HOMEWORK HELP Thanks :) 10 points?

1. Your sister is hired to patrol the highways. She’s probably employed by the A. county. C. state. B. city. D. national. 2. A prosecutor alters the charge against a defendant from child molestation to assault. This probably resulted from A. a judge’s order. C. the victim’s request. B. new evidence. D. plea bargaining. 3. You’ve been placed in a lineup for being a suspected rapist. You’re at which step in a felony processing? A. Arrest C. Investigation B. Custody D. Arraignment 4. What model calls for limiting government intrusion into people’s lives? A. Nonintervention C. Due process B. Justice D. Rehabilitation 5. Usually, the bail bonding agent puts up _______ percent of a bond fee. A. 50 C. 90 B. 75 D. 100 6. Some criminal justice experts believe the rights of the accused should be protected at all costs. This model of the justice system is called A. crime control. C. due process. B. justice. D. rehabilitation. 7. A crime for which the death penalty may be imposed is A. violent rape. C. violent stalking. B. felony murder. D. negligent homicide. 8. More than _______% of all inmates have been previously incarcerated. A. 15 C. 40 B. 25 D. 60 9. Which of the following factors most contributes to making the U.S. criminal justice system so expensive? A. Rising crime rates C. Large staffing requirements B. Too many prisons D. Inept cost management 10. About _______ percent of all federal offenders receive some form of split sentencing. A. 25 C. 75 B. 50 D. 90 11. Student A says that the U.S. Supreme Court must hear any case brought to it by a state government. Student B says that the U.S. Supreme Court is a federal appeals court. Who is correct? A. Only Student A C. Both students B. Only Student B D. Neither student 12. Duties of the prosecuting attorney encompass all of the following except A. determining charges. B. conducting plea bargain negotiations. C. investigating law violations. D. representing the accused.13. All of the following functions are duties of the judge except A. settling questions of evidence and procedure. B. guiding questioning of witnesses. C. choosing the jury. D. instructing the jury. 14. You’re accused of murder and remain in jail until your trial. You probably didn’t have enough money to A. make bail. C. pay off the judge. B. hire an attorney. D. hire an investigator. 15. Your son was caught dealing cocaine. He was sentenced to 20 years in a federal prison with no parole. This sentence structure is called A. indeterminate. C. structured. B. mandatory. D. determinate. 16. In 1970, the entire prison system in the state of _______ was declared unconstitutional for violating the Eighth Amendment. A. Alabama C. Georgia B. Arkansas D. Maryland 17. A trial date is set at a/an A. preliminary hearing. C. arraignment. B. probable cause hearing. D. disposition. 18. In most jurisdictions, offenders are placed on probation by the A. judge. C. prosecutor. B. jury. D. probation officer. 19. It’s debatable whether or not probation is an effective punishment and future deterrent. In a Rand study from California, _______% of offenders on probation were rearrested. A. 50 C. 65 B. 55 D. 70 20. Nationwide, there are about _______ metropolitan police agencies. A. 10,000 C. 12,000 B. 11,000 D. 13,000 more

Resolved Question: I need help with Maryland's rape laws for juvenile victims?

My sister's daughter was raped. She is fourteen. The trial is in July. She is going through physical therapy and counseling. Now she has questions we cannot answer because the prosecutor went on vacation till February! :( Please, answer her question, it is affecting her therapy negatively. Will she have to face her attacker in the courtroom or does Maryland do testifying by juvenile victims over camera video? I searcehd on-line, but could find nothing to really answer her. PLease help us...she is hurting, scared and confused.I really need a specific answer as to how Maryland handles rape cases for juvenile victims. Please....help me. :(No...this is not for a grade or a school project. My neice is hurting and needs this answered...it is all we hear from her since she learned the court date. more

Voting Question: Follow up with previous post (How shoplifting get prosecuted in maryland?)?

This is to follow up with previous post (How shoplifting get prosecuted in maryland?) I am adding few more questions to that post. Here is how it happened briefly again: I was caught stealing $130 of merchandise. I compliant with the cop orders. They took pictures of me and signed paperwork then sent me home. First offense with a clean record. They asked me not to return to the store for at least a year. I am waiting for the court date. Is this true? Found this on the other website. First off, it will always be worth the money to hire a lawyer now to represent you, especially if this is your first offense and you have a clean record. This is because an attorney can speak to the DA on your behalf and can talk about things with the DA that you cannot because anything you say to the DA will be used against you. Second, when you go to court, this is a misdemeanor charge and you can be sentenced up to less than a year in jail (6 months in some jurisdictions) and can be fined up to $1000. The charge will stay on your record forever unless you make a deal now or are able to pay more than the $800 the attorney is looking to charge you now for an expungement. Your attorney should be able to work out a deal, and you need to find one who will fight for this, where you receive a deferred sentence or are placed in a first offender/diversion program, which means you will serve some community service, pay a fine, and remain on unsupervised probation for some time and after that the charge will be automatically expunged and you do not have to report it on any applications about arrest or convictions. The DA will not offer this and will simply look to give you a probation sentence and a small fine for you pleading no contest or guilty, but they will not usually offer up the defferred sentence/expungement unless you have someone to push it for you based upon your past history/record and you really cannot do this yourself because the DA will not be as easy to communicate with you as he would with your attorney. Based on the above answers. Sounds like an attorney is needed now or later..either way is needed to get the record clean. If I go on trial with out a lawyer: Should I plead guilty or (no contest) at court? Should I plead guilty with explaination? - admit doing wrong, poor judgement, learned from this, first time, never happened again, appolozies to the prosecutor, have a job, clean record, offer restitution/probation, will get counselor for help, will follow court order..etc... Should I plead not guilty? no way rite? Should I get an attorney? I called several law firms they charge over $1200 for my case. Some of the posts online stated don't need one for cases less than $500 with 1st offense and the lawyer is not necessary for misdemeanor charges I don't know if that is true or not. Some suggest getting a lawyer to help reduce the sentencing like above (i.e., getting a diversion program or getting automatic expungement..etc...) How soon can I get an expungement if I weren't placed on first offender/diversion program? How much approximately would it cost to get an expungment later? When will I qualify for an expungement? Is there any jury for this kind of trial? How long does it take to process each case at court? If I go with a lawyer: Can I ask my lawyer to pursue with a Civil Compromise case first? I am sorry for asking so many questions. I would like to get this done a clean way as possible. Please advice again. more

Resolved Question: Custody and Support question (Maryland)?

I filed for child custody and support via an attorney. My Son's father has not responded to any of the discovery questions so my attorney motioned the court for sanctions. The court granted the sanctions and sent him a motion to compel which gave him another 20 days to answer the interrogatories and that time has passed without a response from him. My attorney sent a letter today to the court asking for sanctions again and attorney fees. I spoke with him today and outside of the usual it is all my fault, he stated he would contact my attorney tomorrow. Is it too late and if he if now supplies the information requested in discovery will the court still grant the sanctions due to him being late? Another question, if he contests my request for custody now, will they be honored since our trial hearing is already scheduled? Any help in the matter is greatly appreciated. Thanks more

Resolved Question: Following Lincoln's assassination, Which conspirators were hung? Which conspirator escaped and was hidden & di?

edit: my last statement was truncated. And died in old age? more

Resolved Question: what happens if a lawyer submits an order that is differant than the agreement placed on the record?

the lawyer for my ex-wife was asked to submit an order which included wording to move the merits trial to a masters hearing to settle child support. custody and visitation were settled through mediation and the trial in those matters were canceled (i'm the plaintiff) her attorney wrote the order but added "and arrears" i asked him to remove this wording before filing but he refused. the hearing is now set for child support and arrears. should i make an issue of his editing the courts instructions and adding "and arrears" ? i do not think i owe any and stated this in my respose to interogatories. i do not have a lawyer... and if you tell me i should! objection .. I KNOW. i'm in this alone, not by choice. fyi.. i'min maryland and i am pretty sure we adhere to the federal rules of evidence. thx more

Resolved Question: My attorney asks me to pay in cash before trial?

So, I have acquired private counsel in a legal matter than has ocurred; i have been charged with posession of drug paraphernalia (i live in maryland, USA). it is my first offense. The lawyer i am using i found via a letter he sent me in the mail (ad). Anyways, he requested I pay half now ($245), and the other half in cash (240) the day of the trial, before trial though....I have already paid the first half via check and he deposited it. My question is , is this legit? Can anyone shed some light on this, maybe lawyers? Is this common? Attorneys requesting the balance be paid before the trial? Couldn't he theoretically just do a really shitty job or walk out on me or whatever? I mean, it is the lowest quote i got from any law firms.....as i dont want my parents to find out so i will be paying myself..... more

Resolved Question: Ok, so an ILLEGAL drunk driver has a VALID MD license? Does that make sense to anyone?

An illegal immigrant who had been charged with negligent driving after police said he crashed his car while driving impaired on I-83 in June has been indicted on a charge of auto manslaughter, prosecutors announced this morning. Freddy Alberto Cortez Flores, 22, of Hyattsville, was speeding 65 mph, 25 mph over the posted limit, in the far left lane of the highway near Guilford Avenue when prosecutors said he lost control of his car and struck a Jersey wall about 1 a.m. on June 21. His passenger, Carlos O. Cardoza Portillo, was partially ejected from the car and his right arm and head was dragged 567 feet against the concrete wall and a chain link fence, the Baltimore State's Attorney's Office said. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Police said Flores' speech was slurred and that officers detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Cortez told police he had swerved to avoid a vehicle that had cut him off. His blood alcohol level was determined to be .09 percent, according to police charging documents. Cortez, who has a valid Maryland driver's license, is being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency as put a detainer on him to prevent his release from custoy and could begin deportation proceedings after his trial in Baltimore. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/crime/blog/2010/07/driver_in_fatal_crash_indicted.html more

Resolved Question: Has feminism effected men's lives at all?

For the worse or better?Men get so sensitive on the subject of feminism, almost as if it has anything to do with them."Boo" I literally laughed at your answer. :-( so sad more

Resolved Question: If my home is invaded?

Recently a man walked into my home while my wife and son were home. He left after they approached him, but it makes me wonder. If my wife was the only one home what could have happened. I have talked it over and i think we are going to purchase a firearm or two, but my question is this, if a man enters my home, and i command him to leave and he charges at me, if I fire at him and hit him, what kind of laws are there that govern this. Iv heard of people suing people for shooting them in there house and wanted to know what the law was before we purchase.Wow, left out one BIG detail. I live in Maryland. My son goes to the gun range all the time with friends (hes 19) and has become a fairly good shot. My wife and me have fired guns before, but have never owned one. more

Resolved Question: Which Bill of Rights amendments do these cases have at issue?

1. A school in Maryland begins the school day with the principal leading a short prayer to the assembled student body. 2. A severely mentally handicapped man commits murder and is given the death penalty 3. Texas passes a law that allows concealed weapons to be carried anywhere at any time. 4. The U.S. government lowers the drinking age to 19. 5. The police suspect an individual of selling drugs because they have observed many cars making brief stops at his house during the night. They ask the garbage collector to separate his garbage bags left on the curb and turn them over to the police. 6. A student wears a pro-Nazi shirt to school and they tell her to remove it. 7. Student athletes are required to submit random drug tests. 8. An individual who commits robbery can't afford bail. He spends two years in prison awaiting trial. 9. An African American is accused of assult and stands trial. His jury is made up of only Caucasians. 10. A high school teacher finds two students holding lit cigerettes and takes the students to the principal's office. The principal searches one girls purse and finds $40 in $1 bills, rolling paper, and a written list of her weed sales. She is suspended and is turned over to the police. 11. A student organized a prayer group that meets after school at the school. The school tells them they can't have their mettings. 12. A 15 year old is arrested for murdering his step father, who had abbused him throughout his childhood. At his hearing, evidence was presented about his previous convictions for serious assualts and a psycholgist testified that he had no reasonable prospects for rehabilitation within the juvenille justice system. He is tried as an adult, is convicted, and given the death penalty. 13. The state of Massachusetts makes the sale and possesion of all assault rifles illeagal. 14. A group of white supremacists secure a permit and have a parade through a predominantly Hispanic and African American neighborhood. During the parade, they carry signs with racist slogans and chant anti-minority pronouncements. 15. A newspaper runs a story about a local man and accuses him of embezzling thousands of dollars from a local church. 16. A group of women who are extremley upset that a toxic waste incinerator is being built in their community protest in front of city hall. They are arrested for trespassing. 17. A family receives a notice from the town that they have plans to expand the local libary, which is next to their house. The town plans to give them a cash settlement for their property and require them to move out in 30 days. 18. There is a fire at Westover Air Force Base that destroyed all of the barracks. A representative from the Air Force arrives at John's house and informs him that he'll need to help house two enlisted men for three weeks. 19. Julie was arrested and tried for the theft of her neighbor's car. She was found innocent because of lack of evidence and is released. Later, the police discovered a witness who saw Julie steal the car. They re-arrest her and charge her with theft a second time. 20. A police officer hears a woman screaming for help inside a house. He enters the house and discovers two adults fighting. The officer breaks up the fight then notices two large bags of coke on the table. Both individuals are arrested and charged with possession of controlled substances. 21. A student run newsparer criticizes the new dress code put in place by the principal. 22. Ten people arrive at their Congressmen's office and angrily tell him their dislike of his vote on a tax increase. He calls the police and has them removed from his office because he feels threatened. 23. A man is arrested by the police after having a conversation with someone at his gym about his dislike of the handling of the Iraq war. He is accused of terrorism and imprisoned for 15 days before being allowed to speak to an attorney. 24. The U.S. government listened in to thousands of individuals phone conversations without first obtaining search warrents. They claimed that all the individuals involved were somehow connected to terrorists, although the evidence was very weak. 25. The U.S. government raises the legal driving age to 18. 26. A young man in a wheel chair discovers that he can't enter any government buildings he needs to enter because the buildings arn't wheel chair accesable. He is forced to have his friend carry him up the stairs, which he finds humiliating. He files a lawsuit against the buildings, saying anyone should be able to access the buildings, no matter if they have a disability or not. The state argues that there are no such rights granted in the Constitution. more

Resolved Question: what does waiver of hicks rule mean?

if someone files a waiver of hicks rule in a trail what does it mean? more

Resolved Question: Protective/Peace Order In Maryland?

My ex-boyfriend went to jail last night for second degree assault in Maryland. His mother is now telling me that he could face ten years and he's never allowed to talk to me or see me again? Yes, forever. Is this even possible? What will the process really be like?I want to have the 'no contact' condition taken off of. We share a dog and we have a few things that need to be taken care of. Is there anyway I can talk to someone, send a letter in or something, to try to get them to take it off? more

Resolved Question: Attorney General Eric Holder indicates MS 13 membership discriminates against gang member who murdered victims?

CNSNews.com) – Attorney General Eric Holder has directed prosecutors in a federal conspiracy and murder trial not to seek the death penalty for three El Salvadoran men who are in the United States illegally. The three are accused of robbing and shooting Claros Luna on July 29, 2009 in Alexandria, Va., just a few miles from the Justice Department, as Luna transported a prostitute from Maryland to Virginia. The suspects, Eris Arguera, Alcides Umana and Adolfo Amaya Portillo, admitted to being members of the MS-13 gang, court documents show. They were indicted on Nov. 24 on federal racketeering and murder charges. A Justice Department spokeswoman told CNSNews.com that the department would not comment on Holder’s decision not to seek the death penalty in the case. She directed CNSNews to an online “resource manual” stating that the attorney general’s decision-making process and final decision on whether to seek the death penalty is confidential. But the manual also states that no information on the process can be disclosed outside the Justice Department “without prior approval of the Attorney General.” According to court documents, in a letter dated Feb. 3, 2010, Attorney General Holder “authorized and directed” U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neal McBride “not to seek the death penalty against Alcides Umana, Adolfo Portillo and Eris Ramon Arguera.” McBride filed a corresponding document – Government’s Notice of Intent Not to Seek the Death Penalty – on Feb. 16. Peter Carr, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Virginia, told CNSNews.com that Holder, as U.S. attorney general, makes death penalty decisions in federal cases. “The decision to pursue or not pursue the death penalty in a death-eligible case resides with the Attorney General, not the U.S. Attorney,” Carr said. Court documents indicate that the death penalty at one time was being considered in the Salvadorans’ case. Early on, a court-appointed attorney for one of the defendants was dismissed because he did not have the proper certification for a trying a death penalty case. Also, attorneys for one of the defendants entered a motion on Feb. 18 seeking to use a questionnaire that would eliminate jurors who might discriminate against Latinos. That questionnaire alluded to the death penalty. Another motion by defense attorneys sought to keep gang affiliation from being part of the trial because of the possibility that it might bring a death sentence. (Other questions for potential jurors included, “Do you believe people born in Central or South America deserve a lesser standard of justice or greater scrutiny because they are probably not really supposed to be here in the first place?” and “Do you believe people born in Central or South America deserve harsher punishment if they commit a crime because they are already accustomed to being uncomfortable and deprived?”) An FBI press release issued the day after the three men were indicted by a grand jury stated that the case was under investigation by the FBI, Alexandria Police Department, Fairfax County and Arlington County Police Departments and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE spokeswoman Cori Bassett said the immigration agency filed paperwork to begin deportation proceedings in case the men are not convicted or if they are released on parole. If that happens, the Salvadorans would be remanded to ICE custody. “We do not have any record of ICE encounters with the individuals prior to 2009,” Bassett added. The trial is set to begin on May 10 http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/63534 Will Napolitano sent them a thank you card............w/ a personal note “welcome to Amercia, here's how to get on the gravy train.“ more

Resolved Question: In what states is sodomy illegal?

I'm curious :) more

Resolved Question: What are the consequences of fourth degree burglary/destruction of property in Maryland?

Today, me and three friends were walking around the neighborhood, and we discovered an abandoned house. We were curious as to what was inside. We started checking it out and looking around. We went behind it to the basketball court and started playing basketball. The ball was shot way over the hoop into a closed public pool that was fenced off. There was no way of us getting the ball back so we decided to go check out the house again. There was a back door and one my friends forced it open. We went in for a few minutes and looked around. Mostly everything was burnt, black, brown, creepy, and dark. We did not take anything outside of the house, nor did we have any intention of stealing from the house. We were only curious as to what was inside, what it looked like, the damage, etc. We got bored, and left a few minutes later. As we were walking down the street, we are pulled over by an officer, asked for personal information, questioned, arrested, and taken to a station. A lady had seen us from our window and reported us to the police. At the station, we are booked with our information, processed through all the paperwork, searched, questioned, and put in a cell until our parents pick us up. On my paperwork, I was given two offenses: 1. Fourth Degree Burglary 2. Destruction of Property I am a juvenile who has never been in any sort of legal trouble before. I have never broken the law, and I get good grades in school. In fact, we were all minors with the exception of one who had just turned 18, considering him an adult. I was given a court date in which I must go see a judge for an informal hearing. I was wondering what my consequences can be, what will most likely happen, and if I should even be charged with destruction of property because I was not responsible for the door (there was said to be minor damage done on the door or frame or something). If someone could please give me some assurance that this is not a big deal because I feel it is not, I would appreciate it. But, I want the truth, not a sympathetic lie. I want to know what to expect and what to hope for.YES, THE HOUSE WAS BURNT DOWN AND BOARDED. NO ONE LIVED THERE AT THE TIME. IT WAS ABANDONED. more

Voting Question: I have small claims case on former roommate. She's counter claiming for Article 11 Sanctions? What is that?

This is long, but please read. I need help with this!!! Much appreciated if you read and respond! My former roommate only paid 2 months of rent when we signed together a lease agreement to rent this house for 1 year. The fourth month into it she stopped paying rent and utilities. I've paid the security deposit in full (she did not pay), the first month rent to move in (she did not pay,), and 2 other months she did not pay. She only paid for May and June. We moved in the month of April. The landlord threatened eviction, but I was allowed to stay because I was paying my share of the lease every time. We had an agreement she pay half of rent and half of utilities I put in a separate contract we both signed. She was forced to leave voluntarily to avoid us eviction granted I was able to stay living on premises and not her. I'm taking her to court for collection of the months she did not pay as agreed and it's on 3/19. I have all the proof to prove the case. She sent me a letter that I received yesterday stating if I do not drop the case today, she is counter claiming a law suit against me for Article 11 Sanctions that could potentially cause criminal prosecution against me. She's also suing me for lost wages attempting to collect two round trips up to the court for our trial date, employer lost wages that day, hotel lodging fees, her money she spent on her certified letters to me, and court fees. She said her counter claim suit will cause delay in our set trial date on 3/19. She has not processed this yet, but I thought you cannot change trial dates? She just cannot make up trial dates scheduled and change them right? Court house does right? Well, I went through channels of the court house yesterday and spoke to a state attorney. He said after he did digging, Article 11 Sanctions means someone acting in bad faith by making untrue court proceedings on someone, that is what she is suing me for. Is this right? He also said this does not at all include criminal prosecution. It would be just a fine if I was found guilty and more than likely it would not pass the judge in her favor. If it helps, I live in state of Maryland.I would not bother with this trial and waste the courts time if I did not have the proof! more

Resolved Question: What are alliterations that start with N?

Resolved Question: Please give me the background of these court cases in your own words .only in ur own words pleeez?

McGowan v. Maryland 1960 Mapp v. Ohio 1961 Gideon v. Wainwright 1963 Miranda v. arizona 1966 more

Resolved Question: Question about Jury Trial in In Maryland?

Okay, this past December I made a huge mistake, and ended up getting arrested and charged with prostitution. Well I went to court on Feb. 1st, but I didnt have a public defender or anything. So I was hoping they would postpone it, but the judge was one of the worst one to get, and he wouldn't postpone it. I know he is a tough judge to get and I had a gut feeling he was going to screw me and give me a long sentence or something. So I opted for the jury trial, that way I had time to get representation. Well I go to the jury trial on the 24th, but I have no idea how jury trials for misdemeanors work. Is there an arraignment then a trial? Can I get a plea deal? Theres really no way I can plead not guilty. I just need to know all about a jury trial and what happens in one. And if it is longer, like an arraignment then something else, .... help please!! more

Resolved Question: when you murder someone, what is the probability of getting a death penalty?

will you get life imprisonment or death penalty? in most of the cases, people get which one?will maryland give me death penalty for it? more

Resolved Question: What are my legal options against a police officer who arrested my son and lied in court?

I will try to be brief: While my son and I were visiting his high school this summer for a meeting with the football coach and guidance office, a police detective approached us. The detective asked if I could bring my son to police headquarters to discuss an incident that occurred on July 4th. We immediately went to police headquarters and talked to the detective outside, He asked if he could speak with my son alone, for which I objected. He then stated that my son was NOT under suspicion for ANY crimes, and was simply seeking information about a July 4th incident. My son indicated that he didn't know what occurred on July 4th and couldn't offer any information. The detective was insistent about speaking with my son alone. I objected, but my 17 yr old son offered to speak to the detective alone, since he didn't have anything to hide. Well, what resulted from this was my son being photographed and fingerprinted against his will. My son told me what happened, and I immediately requested answers from the detective. Two days later, the detective called my home and requested that my son return to the police department for more questions. When I told him I would not bring him back, on the advice of our attorney, the detective informed me that my son was going to be arrested for a crime that occurred on July 20th. The evidence used to make the arrest was the photograph the detective took of my son two days prior. Please note, my son had a clear record prior to this arrest. My son had to endure weeks in a juvenile detention center before we could go to trial. Unknown to the detective, the following facts existed: 1) My family returned home from a two week vacation on July 19, and I was able to account for my son's movements for the entire day on July 20. 2) The police report and the victim's statement indicated that the person who committed the crime has a close cut hair style. On July 20th my son had long twisted hair about 8 inches long. I provided video and photographs from a wedding my family attended on July 18 some 500 miles away. My son cut his hair five days prior to meeting the detective because he was getting ready for football season. 3) During the time of the incident he was charged with, he was on his Facebook account chatting with numerous friends. This information was provided at trial by certified records from Facebook. To sum this up, my son's trial showed how the detective lied on numerous occasions. His testimony at trial didn't match his written statement or the testimony of the victim. The victim and the detective called each other liars during the trial. Thankfully, the trial judge found the detective's actions were deceitful and not creditable, and my son was found not involved in the crime. My wife and I want to seek legal action against the detective, as my son lost over four weeks of school as a result of being in a juvenile detention center; missed out on his football season (my son is among the Top 5 sprinters in the state of Maryland); and was a mental and financial drain for us. Can we do anything? Thank youFor the person who insist the information I provided is false, my son's case number is JA-09-1414 in the state of Maryland. Everything I stated in my question can be substantiated. I posted my question in the hopes that I can obtain useful information as to my next course of action.To answer the question as to why I went to the police station and let the detective speak to my son: Because I feared the police/detective would have simply picked my son up at some later point and taken him to the police station and called me after the fact. I felt I was cooperating fully, and since my son assured me he was not involved in anythig, we had nothing to worry about.Order of Events: 8/10/09 - Date when my son & I went to high school, was approached by the detective, and when my son spoke with the detective. Detective was waiting at the school. Per his testimony at trial, he contacted the school ahead of time and the school informed him that my son and I were going to be there. 8/12/09 - Date my son was arrested. 8/13/09 - My son was detained and sent to juvenile detention center to await merit hearing (trial). 9/8/09 - Original date of trial. Trial was postponed until October 13 to allow our attorney to obtain records from Facebook. 9/1509 - My son was released from juvenile detention center under Electronic Monitoring. Merits Hearing (Trial) is again postponed until 11/5/09 to allow Facebook time to produce Certified Records of my son's account. 11/509 - Merit Hearing (Trial). My son was found Not Involved (Not Guilty) of all counts. Judge also reprimanded detective for his conduct in handling this case.Other Dates: 7/4/09 - During the July 4th fireworks celebration in our town, a young man was robbed of his skateboard. My son was at the celebration with his girlfriend, and the person accused of the robbery was a former friend of my son. This was the reason the detective claimed why he wanted to talk to my son. 7/20/09 - A person was assualted and robbed of his cellphone by a group of young men in the same area as the skateboard incident. Based on the testimony of the detective, he believed my son was involved because of his past friendships. When my son spoke to the detective on 8/10/09, he was never asked about the incident on 7/20/09. His entire written statement was one paragraph that stated he had no knowledge of what happened on 7/4/09. The detective showed the victim a picture of my son on 8/11/09, and the victim indicated my son "could have been" one of the people who attacked him and stole his cell phone. This was the detective's basis for arresting my son.The importance of the hairstyle is that my son's hair was about 7-8 inches long, styled in a twist. The victim's police statement indicated the attacker had a short, close cut hairstyle. My son cut his hair on 8/5/09, 16 days after the incident, because he was getting ready for football season, and he couldn't afford paying $50 every three weeks to have his hair styled. The Facebook records were critical because it showed my son was home with me at the time, and was on his computer. Our attorney need to show it was impossible to be at the crime scene, which was three miles from my home, and on his computer chatting with friends.As for the detective lying: During the trial, detective indicated that he went to the victim's home to show him photos of possible suspects. However, the victim testified he went to the police station and looked at some photo books. On 8/11/09, the detective showed him a photo of my son and said "he believes we have the right guy". At that time he picked the photo of my son. All of this is on record and part of the trial testimony. Also, when I arrived at the police station with my son, I asked the detective if I need to have my attorney here, or if my son was under suspicion for anything. He said "no". But he testified that he informed me my son was a suspect. This was challenged during cross examination, and he eventually recanted some of his previous testimony, where he "assumed" I was informed of the information. more

Resolved Question: please help need legal advice?

I am from va. I got an assault 2nd degree felony in Maryland. My ex girlfriend, brother in law, and another guy brian went out to maryland to shoot pool.By the time we finished playing pool we all were really drunk except for my ex.We left and my bro on law and brian got the fighting down the road. i dont know or remember who started it. anyway brian ends up kicking my ex in the face whie she was driving in the midst of them fighting. We ended up at a store where me and brian get the fighting after i confront him about kicking my girlfriend i felt thraetened when he got in my face. i was in the front seat he was in the back i beat him up someone called the police.We all got charged with assault.Brian had to get stitches in his head. Is there anyway i can beat this. I dont wish anyharm on either of them being as though it was an accident him kicking her.I also believed he was going to hit me after i had asked him why he kicked her in the face. She was driving when he kicked her. Me and brian got the fighting at the store. Is there anyway i can get off for protecting my girlfriend or claim self defense. Is there anyway we all can get off. Me and my bro in law did not make any statements to the police. I dont know what brians story was but he is on probation and hes not trying to do anymore time. My bro in law has got alot of time over his head if he catches a charge too. is there anyway to get the charges dropped. I would appreciate any advice. Thank you and god bless you. more

Resolved Question: What are some important details about Mary Surratt?

i am doing a project at school and i have to dress up as Mary Surratt and there's a guest coming and i have to tell her about Mary and act like her. i have a long, black fur coat that i was going to wear with maybe a scarf? would that be something along the lines of something she'd might wear? what could i add to that to make it more like Mary? what was so significant about Mary Surratt? more

Resolved Question: Can Pennsylvania suspend my Maryland Drivers License?

I received a ticket for operating an unregistered vehicle in Pennsylvania. I live in and am licensed in Maryland. (* my registration became suspended unknown to me when my vehicle failed emmisions test , the Emissions testing place issued me an extension that was never entered into the system, but I had it in writting ... which I have since corrected the problme and passed anyway). The officer who issued the ticket said I would recieve notice in the mail.. I never did. I called them and they told me that if I wanted a trial I would have to request one and prepay the fee ( in MD they automatically issue a trial date).. I just received a "request for license suspension".. but they seem to be trying to suspend a PA license ( and I am ONLY licensed in MD!) SO if I dont have license there, what happens?? Will MD suspend my license.. since <MD gives you a trial, wont I be given a trial first ??? how does this work... I cant afford to pay the ticket or trial fees, and believe I would win in court ...If I had the money to pay an attorney, I would pay the fee. What can I do to help myself. Attorneys are not needed for everything ! more

Resolved Question: I got two citations on my license and I'm not sure what to do..?

I got a traffic citation for going 37 mph over the speedlimit... and another one for not turning off my highbeams while approaching another vehicle. The total fine is $340... and I THINK the officer said 5 points on my license. I live in Maryland. I don't HAVE to appear in court, but my mom (who I don't really want to discuss this with) mentioned that I should go to court and hope for a PBJ, or for the points to be waived.. My other dilemma is that I will be going to school out of state this fall, and my court date is right in the middle of the semester. I'm attempting to write a letter to request for a trial date during my winter break, but I'm not sure how to write a business letter. Help??? more

Resolved Question: When a defendant is serving the Plaintiff with interrogatories...?

When a defendant is serving the Plaintiff with interrogatories in Maryland district court for civil lawsuit, does the defendant file a copy with the court or does the court only need notice of service copy or both or neither? Thanks. more

Resolved Question: Can a parent take a child out of state?

My daughters' father haven't been around much of their lives. I live in New Hampshire. He lives in Maryland. Now he's trying to get a parenting plan going. The girls have always lived with me. If this thing goes through, can he take my girls out of state to live with him? more