Maryland lawmakers have strengthened the penalties for convicted drunk drivers. They eliminated a major loophole in the state’s ignition interlock law. The legislature recently approved a bill that will require Maryland drunk drivers to complete the Ignition Interlock System Program. The device will have to be in place for six months. The categories of drivers that must complete the interlock program will include: Those who receive probation before judgment (PBJ) for driving under the influence (DUI) Those who receive a PBJ for driving while impaired (DWI) Those convicted of drunk driving Unde ..read more

Search warrants are an important aspect of the criminal justice system. They help protect citizens’ rights while allowing law enforcement to investigate potential crimes. As a citizen, you should understand how search warrants work and your rights when faced with a warrant. Understanding a search warrant A search warrant is law enforcement’s legal authorization to conduct a search. If the police come to your door without a search warrant, you have the right to turn them away. You can politely inform them that you do not wish to answer their questions or allow them to enter your home without au ..read more

If you have been in a car accident or know someone who has, you are probably familiar with the range of injuries that a person can sustain in a crash. From minor scrapes to the possibility of death, car accidents are nothing short of serious and every crash should be taken as such. Whether you are driving the car, a passenger or a pedestrian, the second you hit the road, you run significant risks. Unfortunately, that is the nature of driving today. It is important to be aware of the most serious injuries, though, so you can remain alert and know what to look for if you are injured. Brain injur ..read more

Maryland is a home of higher education with colleges including the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University. As they sometimes do, people attending college typically enjoy parties and living exciting lives. Unfortunately, something that began with good intentions could result in you getting arrested before you graduate. What happens immediately following an arrest Whether you’re a college student or not, the initial timeline after an arrest will generally be the same. After a police officer arrests you, they will transport you to the local jail. Typically, within 24 to 48 hours, law ..read more

Here in Maryland, the law is strict when it comes to maintaining safe roads and highways. The state uses a points system for driver’s licenses to ensure the safety of all pedestrians, motorists and passengers. This system penalizes drivers for specific traffic violations, targeting those that could endanger lives and property. Which offenses add points? In Maryland, several moving violations can add points to your license, including: drug or alcohol-related offenses leaving the scene of an accident vehicular homicide or manslaughter use of a vehicle in a felony crime The number of points added ..read more

Rising inflation and interest rate hikes have left millions of consumers in Maryland and throughout the country struggling to make ends meet. A report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reveals that the amount of revolving debt being carried by American consumers has risen to $1.13 trillion. Credit card debt increased by a worrying $212 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 alone. High rates and delinquencies Paying off that debt will be difficult for Americans because the average credit card interest rate is now about 21.5%. That is the highest average credit card APR since the ..read more

In the state of Maryland, and anywhere else for that matter, cellphone use in cars can be dangerous. Using a cell phone while driving can be one of the most dangerous things you can do. While this dangerous act may go under-reported, it has certainly contributed to many crashes in the state. The dangers of cellphone use You should be aware of the fact that cellphone use in cars is strictly forbidden by Maryland law except in cases of a hands-free option such as the use of Bluetooth to connect to the car’s audio. Things that are illegal for a driver to do with a handheld phone in a car include ..read more

Truck-related accidents account for many traffic fatalities in Maryland. That’s especially true concerning underride accidents. Underride accidents occur when passenger vehicles become wedged under a semi truck. There are two types of underride accidents: rear and side underride accidents. Here are some things you should know about side and rear underride accidents. Rear underride Rear underride accidents happen when a passenger vehicle hits the back end of a semi-truck. This type of underride accident can happen when the truck is dimly lit or poorly marked. In some cases, the passenger car ma ..read more

About 1.5 million people are arrested on drug charges every year, and approximately 773,000 of them are taken into custody after a drug field test identified a substance in their possession as a controlled substance. Field drug testing kits are used by Maryland law enforcement agencies because they are easy to use and inexpensive. They are also highly unreliable. According to a report released by the University of Pennsylvania in January 2024, about 30,000 people are wrongfully arrested each year because field drug tests identify benign substances as illegal drugs. Drug field tests The field d ..read more

Consumers all across Maryland are increasingly turning to credit cards to pay for all manner of items, from everyday necessities like groceries and fuel to season-specific items like holiday presents. And while the rise in credit cards has coincided with great economic expansion, credit card debt is a constant burden on many people. While it’s possible to use credit cards for their rewards programs and pay off the full balance each month, many card owners roll at least some of the balance over from month to month, accruing additional fees and interest costs. Those costs can spiral to the point ..read more