Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyers

Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyers

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Baltimore Drug Trends Changing

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Baltimore Sun Crime Beat writer Peter Herman posted an interesting piece about the changing face of the Baltimore drug trade this week, pointing out several changes and trends in the city and surrounding areas. How drugs are moved, what they cost, and how they are prepared for sale is all changing.

How drugs are moved into the state and from overseas into the country is changing dramatically. Whether coming from Atlanta or Pakistan, drugs are more frequently being sent through the mail. This method allows traffickers to track their packages online and refuse delivery if a hold up flags them to possible law enforcement interference.

Drug dealers are outsourcing their work. What this means is the dealers aren’t doing the dirty work anymore. They are paying people to prep the drugs for sale. More hands in the pot but less work for the dealer to worry about.

The drug business is lucrative. There is a reason that so many people turn to dealing drugs in inner cities where demand is often higher. The reason: it pays and it pays well.

According to the Baltimore Sun article, Mayor Dixon estimated that dealers on Pennsylvania Avenue bring in over $10 million per year. True some of them get caught and some of them are too low on the totem pole to see the big dollars but the numbers are staggering.

Dealing drugs or being around large quantities of controlled substances has major risks. One wrong deal and you could be looking at a 20 years behind bars. That’s right, if you are charged with possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I or II drug like heroin or cocaine, you will face up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $25,000.

Luckily, most drug charges aren’t this serious. In fact, more people are charged with simple possession than with possession with intent. Regardless, if you are facing any drug charge you want an aggressive hard working defense attorney on your side. Call our attorneys today to discuss the best way to handle your case.

BBC Documents Baltimore Crime

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Following Baltimore Sun reporter Peter Hermann for one day, the British Broadcasting Group ran a piece on crime and crime reporting in our city. Entitled Baltimore’s Crime Scene Reporter, the video shed light on the job of a man tasked with documenting the criminal offenses of our metropolis.

Baltimore is often seen as a capital of crime, a mecca of criminal behavior. We know our city has its high crime areas and often a violent disposition, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have redeeming qualities as well. However, as Hermann states in his Baltimore Sun blog, the BBC piece may shed light on how the city gets accustomed to the crime and it becomes less and less horrific as people are desensitized to it.

Even those folks who are accused of criminal activity know the city has a high crime rate. They feel it as they are shuffled through the local criminal justice system, as one small piece in a system that is busting at the seams. Whether waiting in a local holding cell to be processed in or awaiting trial, criminal defendants often feel just how congested the system is.

As cable would have you believe, murders are rampant here in Baltimore. While we do have our share of violent crime and none of it is acceptable, drug offenses and property crimes are far more common. Sure they don’t make the headlines, but they are there, making up a large percentage of arrests and court cases.

Facing any criminal charge, whether violent or “victimless” can be frightening and extremely stressful. Filled with delays and technicalities, the journey from arrest to trial can be long and arduous. When up against charges, a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney is an asset.
If you are facing criminal charges in the Maryland criminal courts, contact me today to discuss your case.

Officer No-Shows Lead To Charges Dropped in Maryland Courtrooms

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There are many reasons a prosecutor could drop criminal charges against a defendant. In Baltimore District and Circuit Courts, it seems that a police officer no-show is one of the more common reasons, and one that could be prevented according to many interested parties.

When a police officer is called to testify in a criminal case it is often because he or she investigated the case or played a key role in the suspects apprehension. As an important and credible witness, the prosecution often rests much of their case on what the officer will say.

However, what happens when this potentially crucial witness does not show up for the court date? More often than not, it seems, the prosecution has no choice but to drop the charges without sufficient additional information to move forward.

This report from the Baltimore Sun details this interesting problem that the police and prosecutors offices are dealing with. Several cases are outlined where a suspect may have been convicted and sentenced to prison but ended up walking due to a failure to appear on the part of a police officer.

So, why is this happening? Well, for one, police officers have lives too. Many are reluctant to spend additional hours in a courtroom waiting to be called when they have already pulled a shift or even on their day off. Court dates may also fall on the officer’s vacation or when they have plans to be somewhere else.

In many situations, the case would be continued or rescheduled. That isn’t always possible though and defense attorneys will rightly claim that is is unfair for a dependent to be held in limbo while a key prosecution witness can’t be bothered to show up.

When facing criminal charges in MD, every defendant hopes for a complete dismissal. Although it happens, dismissals due to officer absence aren’t that likely.

But these things absolutely happen. The standards of Justice requires that the prosecution has the burden to prove it’s case beyond a reasonable doubt, and in a reasonable time frame. If they can’t do that for any reason, justice can’t be delayed.

Call our attorneys today and we can take a look at the specifics of your situation and devise a way to handle your legal defense .

A complete dismissal of charges is always a possibility, but an in depth analysis is necessary before we can make any sort of recommendations.

Maryland Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Convicted Drug Offender

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In criminal law cases, legal procedure is crucial in ensuring justice is applied according to the Constitution and laws of the land. When Kyeron Michael Church was arrested, tried, and convicted of drug charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison, there were some questions left unanswered about the case against him.

In particular, Church’s attorney argued that he had a right to know the location of the police surveillance that helped to convict him. At trial, the prosecution claimed they didn’t have to reveal this due to a surveillance location privilege.

This report from the Daily Record states the Court of Appeals found in a 4-3 decision that the prosecution didn’t have reason to withhold the requested information and that although such a privilege does exist, it wasn’t applicable in Church’s case.

What does this mean for Church? It means the lower court will now hold a hearing to determine if there is additional evidence that makes the privilege applicable. If the court finds there is, they will give weight to this evidence as well as weight to Church’s reasons for requesting the location. If not, the state will likely divulge the location.

The lower court will ultimately determine again if the location must be revealed. They are trying to determine if disclosing the location could place anyone in danger. Unless the location is still being used as for covert surveillance, Church’s attorney argues, there is no reason to withhold it.

Opinions like this can be confusing and downright frustrating for all parties. However, they are there to ensure that defendants in the American legal system are protected at every step of the game. If you are charged with a drug offense and facing 10 years in prison like Church, I can bet you would want no rock left unturned when it came to your defense.

Knowing the ins and outs of legal procedure is the responsibility of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Whether you are facing charges of felony drug possession or DUI, you want to be confident in your choice of attorney.

DUI? Not If You’re Passed Out in the Back Seat

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A Montgomery County Police Officer is under investigation for perjury after giving false testimony in a DUI case. Officer Dina Hoffman made a DUI arrest on 56 year old George Zaliev. Video at the scene shows he wasn’t driving at all, however.

A nearby surveillance camera caught the whole arrest on tape from the moment Hoffman arrived at the scene. In her report and in court she testified that when she arrived Zaliev was behind the wheel with the engine running. Video clearly shows, however, that Zaliev was, in fact, lying down in the back seat.

According to this article from ABC7 News Hoffman lied 10-20 times about occurrences during the arrest.

Obviously, once the discrepancies were spotted Zaliev was found not guilty by the judge, but Hoffman’s actions are certainly deplorable. It is not clear why she would fabricate such a story but she is now the subject of an internal affairs investigation. Interestingly, she is still on the job.
Accountability is huge in police departments. I find it strange that Officer Hoffman is still riding around in her patrol car after such a blunder. What will come of the investigation is unknown but it should serve as a notice to police that even when a camera isn’t on you, your ethics should keep you in line.

Being charged with DUI in Maryland is no small matter. If convicted Zaliev could have faced up to 1 year in jail and fines reaching $1,000. And this was only if it was his first offense. The more convictions you have on your record, the harsher the sentence is.

We’d all like to think that it is rare for the police to lie about what happens at the scene of an arrest. However, as a realist, I know it happens.

More than likely, however, you made a mistake and are ready to face the consequences. On your day in court you should have an experienced local attorney at your side to ensure you get the best results possible. Call me today to discuss your MD DUI case and see how I can help.

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Glen Arm Maryland Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Accident that Killed Mother and Son

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On November 7th, 2008 Christopher Herman Lentz crossed the center line on U.S. Hwy 1, striking a minivan on its way to a Cub Scout retreat. Two of the four passengers in the minivan
were killed, forever changing a family.

Katherine Brady, 31, and Wilson Brady 8, were killed on that night, leaving the boy’s father and remaining son behind. Lentz was convicted of two counts of vehicular manslaughter and recently sentenced to 13 years behind bars. It is unclear at this time when he might be eligible for parole.
Lentz had no drugs or alcohol in his system, but was simply going to fast when he crossed the center line. According to this article from the Baltimore Sun, he did have some prior criminal traffic violations and even drug convictions on his record, but his license wasn’t suspended at the time of this accident. As a matter of fact, Lentz was involved in another accident only 2 hours before this fatal one occurred.

Vehicular manslaughter is a serious charge. A situation like this reaches out and affects so many people in both families as well as the community.

Criminal traffic offenses range from the extremely intense, like this one, to the relatively minor. Any offense that can result in jail time or a loss of license should be taken very seriously as it has the potential to affect your future and the future of those around you.

Whether you are accused of driving without a license, driving on suspension, or leaving the scene of an accident, a permanent mark on your criminal record should be avoided at all costs. The specifics about your case are what make a big difference in how it turns out and the type of sentence you may be facing.

If you are up against criminal traffic charges, you should not take it as lightly as a ticket or infraction. Criminal charges are far more serious and should be handled with a more delicate approach. The first rational step is contacting a defense attorney in MD to discuss your case.

No More Good Time Credit for Maryland Inmates?

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While budget crunches have some states releasing inmates early to relieve the pressure, Maryland is considering a proposal to limit the amount of “good time” an inmate can earn, causing them to serve more of their actual prison sentence. The Maryland legislature is considering lengthening prison terms after a few notable cases of violence committed by parolees or recently released inmates.

Good time and other programs like it vary from state to state. Basically, people serving time in state institutions can earn credits that shorten the length of time they spend behind bars. Things like education, employment while incarcerated, good behavior, and counseling all have the potential to earn inmates time off of their sentence.

According to supporters of programs like this, it encourages good behavior within the walls of state institutions and keeps inmates working towards self-betterment. According to opponents, it undermines the justice of a prison sentence and gives offenders a break they don’t deserve.
One story cited here in the Washington Post points out a specific offender, Shawn Henderson, who was released early from prison for good behavior, and murdered a young woman outside of her apartment building. The victim’s family will speak to the legislature in hopes of putting an end to early releases.

Money is never a good justification for putting other lives at risk. However, there are some very clear benefits to using programs like good time credits in prisons. They have the potential to encourage rehabilitation in a prison setting that isn’t always conducive to reform. But, it is obvious from the Henderson case that not all inmates released early continue to do well once outside of the prison walls.

Many people serving time behind the walls of Maryland State Prisons or even county jails recognize their crimes as a huge mistake. Only a small percentage of offenders are cold blooded killers. For those people who are facing years of prison due to drug addiction or multiple DUI’s, a program like this can truly help them get back on the right track.

When facing criminal charges that could land you in jail, you have every right to be nervous and wonder if your sentence will be affected by this new legislation being considered by the state. If you are up against criminal charges and not sure where to turn, contact me today for a consultation on your case.

Baltimore Gang Members Attempt to Go Straight With the Help of Others

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With all of the discouraging news on television and even online, it’s good to see young people reaching out to one another and pulling each other up. It’s especially exciting when these young people have turned from a life of gangs and violence, drugs and death.

The Rose Street Community Center sponsors many youth meetings to reach out to these people who are seeking guidance but may have never had anyone looking back at them before. They are finding a community of like-minded and goal oriented young men at this community center. Men who have been down the same paths to realize that those paths were leading nowhere productive.

As this article from the Baltimore Sun details, people like “Black” are doing their part to help other young gang members and people who have fallen through the cracks. With a number of new federal grants coming their way and support from the majority of the city, programs like these are making great strides.

Too many young people are inducted into gang life at a young age. Children are recruited as young as 11 years old to begin a life of gang banging and drug dealing. Needless to say, these young people typically don’t make it through high school and seldom end up holding steady, legal jobs.
These young people don’t typically have people reaching back to assist them. With programs like the one at Rose Street, young Bloods, Crips, and other gang members are given a second chance to get their GED, start a business, get a job, and leave gangs and drugs behind.

Innovative thinking that can only come from people who have been there and done that is leading these people down the right path for a change. With seemingly unorthodox rewards like a trip to Six Flags, gangs are learning that going straight can have its benefits, that having a flashy car is perhaps less important that having good credit or a home.

Often, young men like these don’t realize the error of their ways until it is too late and they are facing years behind bars. Once involved in the justice system, it becomes even more difficult for someone to get out. But, as this article shows and as the counselors at Rose Street tell their clients, it is possible.

If you have gone down the wrong path and are now facing criminal charges, you may be rethinking your lifestyle as well. The right defense attorney can assist you as you wade your way through the court process.

If you made a mistake and want to change your life around or if you just need some legal advice about some charges you are facing, contact our office today.

Maryland SWAT Raids In Error, How Often Does This Happen?

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Many remember the raid that occurred on Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo’s home last summer in Prince George’s County Maryland described here in a Washington Post article. Has this occurrence of botched raids become more common over the past several years, eating away at our protection against unreasonable searches?

Last summer police broke down the door of Mr. Calvo’s home and came in shooting. When the raid was over two family pets were dead and a family was forever changed. This happened because drug smugglers were addressing narcotics to innocent citizens in the hopes of recovering the deliveries before they were taken into the addressee’s home.

In this case the box was taken in the home and set on a table, like many of us do with packages. Mr. Calvo thought maybe his wife ordered something for the garden. Interestingly, police had previously discovered the shipment and were watching when the package was taken indoors. This, they said, was the reason for the raid.

Thinking the Calvos were big-time drug smugglers, police entered the home without knocking and without presenting a warrant. Even now, several months after the mistake, the Calvos are not the same.

Think these raids are rare? Think again. You are in for a shock when you see this map created by the Cato Institute displaying incidences of raids on mistaken homes, ending in the deaths of innocent parties, or deaths of police officers.

How the police execute search warrants and how they seize evidence is a huge Constitutional issue. There are many incidents far less serious than these that occur on a quite often basis. If you or your property was searched and you now face criminal charges, the manner in which the search was done can come under fire if proper procedure was not followed.

Having a defense attorney in Maryland who knows the rules of searches and seizures can work in a defendant’s benefit, helping to protect your rights.

Baltimore Police Cameras Not As Effective As Anticipated

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Maryland law enforcement and many citizens who supported cameras on Baltimore street corners in an effort to deter crime and reduce criminal activity are likely surprised by the results. New research shows that such cameras have no impact on violent crime rates. Yes, that’s correct. They have zero effect on reducing violent crimes.

As this article from 2005 shows, when the cameras were first installed, hopes were high. Officials sold these cameras to the public as the answer to high crime neighborhoods. With Big Brother watching people thought the “less desirables” of the community would cower in fear. They were wrong. Crime is deterred long term by community involvement and prevention at a young age.

Hardened criminals or those likely to rob a stranger on a street corner or shoot a rival gang member couldn’t care less about a camera whose picture is so grainy the jury couldn’t make out their face. The people facing these charges are willing to take a risk of getting caught and if they think that risk is slightly increased with the use of a camera, they will obviously still take their chances or simply move down the block to commit their crime.

The only crimes that decreased “within view” of the cameras are property crimes. They don’t have any effect on offenses like prostitution, drug sales, or vandalism, and offenders who commit a violent crime simply step out of view of the cameras. While footage is occasionally used to identify people within the vicinity of a crime, there is no mention of if the same results would have been possible with good old fashioned police work.

So, is the impact on property crimes alone worth the cost and strange invasion of privacy? Just as in childhood, there will always be cops and there will always be robbers. There is a constant ebb and flow with one side always getting one step ahead of the other but the battle is never over.