Criminal procedure refers to the set of rules and regulations that govern the legal processes followed in the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of criminal offenses. It outlines the steps and safeguards that must be observed by law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts to ensure fairness, protect individual rights, and uphold the principles of justice. Criminal procedure encompasses various stages, including arrest, search and seizure, interrogation, bail, arraignment, discovery, trial, sentencing, and appeals. It establishes the framework for balancing the interests of society in punishing criminal conduct with the need to safeguard the rights of individuals accused of crimes. The goal of criminal procedure is to maintain due process, ensure the integrity of the legal system, and safeguard against unlawful actions or abuses by the authorities, ultimately striving for a just and equitable resolution of criminal cases.
For anyone involved in the criminal justice system for the first time, the process can feel extremely overwhelming and confusing. As a criminal defense attorney in Towson, Maryland, I regularly guide clients through this maze. One crucial step is the ‘initial appearance.’ This blog post will provide an overview of an initial appearance in Maryland. …
An Overview of an Initial Appearance in Maryland Read More »
Introduction In the world of law, there are several concepts that might seem complicated and confusing to the layman. One such term is ‘hearsay.’ While this term is thrown around a lot on popular TV shows and movies, it is not often clearly explained. This blog post will serve as your guide to understanding hearsay …
Understanding Hearsay in Maryland: A Guide for Non-Lawyers Read More »
Introduction Legal jargon can be intimidating and sometimes baffling, particularly when it comes to court testimonies and privileges. One such privilege, and the topic of our discussion today, is the marital privilege. This post aims to explain this concept in plain language, focusing on its application in Maryland. What is Marital Privilege? In law, a …
Understanding the Marital Privilege in Maryland Law: A Simple Guide Read More »
In the field of criminal defense, one of the most powerful tools we can offer our clients is the expungement of their criminal records. This procedure, which essentially “erases” specific types of convictions or charges from public view, can be a game-changer in one’s personal and professional life. In Maryland, understanding the importance of getting …
The Value of Expungement: Clearing Your Criminal Record in Maryland Read More »
The exigent circumstances exception to the warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment allows the police to conduct a search or seizure without first obtaining a warrant if there is an urgent need to do so to prevent serious harm, the destruction of evidence, or the escape of a suspect. In other words, if there is …
Miranda rights, also known as the Miranda warnings, are a set of legal rights that must be read to a suspect who is both under arrest and being interrogated by a law enforcement officer in the United States. The Miranda warning is named after the U.S. Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 …
The automobile exception to the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirement is a legal doctrine that allows the police to conduct a warrantless search of a vehicle if they have probable cause to believe that the vehicle contains evidence of a crime or contraband. The U.S. Supreme Court created the automobile exception in the landmark case of …
A Terry stop refers to a brief detention or stop of an individual by a law enforcement officer, based on reasonable suspicion that the person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime. The name comes from the 1968 U.S. Supreme Court case, Terry v. Ohio, which established that a police officer …
Probable cause is a legal standard used by law enforcement officials to justify an arrest, a search, or the issuance of a warrant. It refers to the reasonable belief, based on facts and circumstances known to the officer at the time, that a crime has been, is being, or is about to be committed, and …
An Alford plea is a type of guilty plea in criminal court where the Defendant does not admit to committing the crime, but acknowledges that the State has enough evidence to convict him or her. By entering an Alford plea, the Defendant is essentially admitting that they would likely be found guilty of the crime …
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