Driving under the influence is one of the most serious criminal charges that Maryland motorists face. These charges are somewhat amplified when a person is in a social position of trust such as a nurse. Nurses are tasked with protecting some of the most vulnerable people in society. If they are convicted of DUI, they will need to take steps to protect their legal jeopardy as well as their professional future. Professional ramifications The ramifications for a nurse who is convicted of DUI are similar to those in other professions. The main difference is the potential effects from an employer ..read more

Missing a Maryland court hearing can happen to anyone. You can forget the exact date or face an unexpected challenge that prevents you from appearing in court. Regardless of how valid your reason is, you must take it seriously. The ramifications of non-appearance in court No matter the rationale behind your absence from a court hearing, the criminal legal system remains uncompromising. More than forty states will impose additional penalties, including imprisonment and fines. Understanding criminal defense laws regarding failure to appear in court is crucial. Arrest warrant The judge in charge ..read more

Xylazine is a sedative meant for animals. While not intended for consumption by humans, it hasn’t stopped xylazine from becoming a drug that produces sedative-like effects. Sometimes referred to as tranq, this drug can affect the lives of Maryland residents using it. Soon, using, possessing or selling xylazine could mean facing serious fines and jail time. What is xylazine? The FDA-approved drug xylazine provides effects similar to muscle relaxants when administered to animals. A veterinary professional administers this medication to animals by itself or with barbiturates or ketamine. Studies ..read more

Facing a DUI charge in Maryland is a serious matter. An aggravated DUI carries even more severe penalties and potential consequences for your future. Reckless behavior You may face an aggravated DUI charge if law enforcement deems your behavior extremely reckless, such as driving with excessive alcohol in your system, having a minor in the vehicle, or causing a serious accident while intoxicated. Repeat offenders with a history of drunk driving may also be charged with an aggravated DUI. Life-altering penalties An aggravated DUI carries more severe penalties compared to a normal DUI. If convic ..read more

Most people in Maryland are familiar with the concept of lie detector tests. They appear in many television shows and movies where suspects are asked to submit to a polygraph test to determine their innocence or guilt. However, in real life, these tests have many fundamental flaws. They aren’t as foolproof as we have been led to believe. Let’s take a look at a few problems they have. Polygraphs aren’t always accurate Lie detector tests usually rely on physiological changes in a person like an increased heart rate. However, these don’t always work as some people have no physical or emotional re ..read more

Throughout the year, countless people face drug charges in Maryland and other states. A recent report shows that around the country, close to 30,000 people might be wrongfully arrested and put in jail because of unreliable roadside field tests for drugs. How roadside drug tests work Roadside drug tests change colors when certain compounds found in drugs interact with them. However, individuals facing drug charges discover that these testing kits don’t only check for illicit drugs. They react to a variety of substances, including cotton candy, bird feces and even the glaze from a glazed doughnu ..read more

In Maryland, a type of criminal warrant called a geofence warrant has become increasingly common. These warrants compel technology companies to turn over location data culled from users’ smartphones. Geofence warrants seek the location data and identities of every smartphone user within a certain proximity to a crime scene at a specific time. Recently, however, a move by Google might signal the end of geofence warrants as a popular law enforcement investigatory tool. Understanding location data and geofence warrants When turned on and connected to the internet, smartphones track the location h ..read more

Many Maryland drivers only think about whether they are able to walk in a perfectly straight line once they get pulled over. They fail to realize that there is more to the walk-and-turn test. This field sobriety test is approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is used by law enforcement agencies around the nation and is more comprehensive than merely being able to walk straight. When might you have to take a field sobriety test? Police officers use the walk-and-turn field sobriety test as a way of determining probable cause to arrest someone for drunk driving. Th ..read more

Thousands of Maryland residents are currently attempting to move on with their lives after being convicted of a crime and serving their debt to society. But unfortunately, the effects and ramifications of a criminal record can negatively impact their lives long after they’ve served out their sentence. A criminal record can cause issues for decades after the offense in question. Without adequate criminal defense, a person risks being convicted of a crime and suffering a lifetime of collateral consequences. Employment Being convicted of a crime is correlated very closely with loss of employment ..read more

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