In Maryland, the castle doctrine comes from common law, not a specific statute. The core idea is that a person inside their own home generally has no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense. This is a major distinction from self-defense rules outside the home. In public, Maryland law usually requires retreat if itRead More
Legal questions
Can You Get a DUI for Weed?
Yes. You can get a DUI for weed in Maryland, even if marijuana is legal or decriminalized in certain amounts. This surprises a lot of people. The key point is simple: legal marijuana does not mean legal driving while impaired. In Maryland, driving under the influence of marijuana is treated as drugged driving, and prosecutorsRead More
Is Assault on Police Officer a Felony in Maryland?
If you are searching “is assault on police officer a felony,” the answer in Maryland is: it can be. Under Maryland Criminal Law § 3-203, second-degree assault is usually a misdemeanor, but it becomes a felony when a person intentionally causes “physical injury” to a law enforcement officer (or certain other protected public safety professionals)Read More
Does a DUI Stay on Your Record Forever in Maryland?
If you are facing a drunk driving charge, one of the first questions most people ask is does a DUI stay on your record forever. In Maryland, the answer depends entirely on how the case is resolved. A DUI conviction can remain on your criminal record permanently, but outcomes like probation before judgment and expungementRead More
Can Individual Counts of an Indictment Be Dismissed Before Trial?
Yes. In many criminal cases, individual counts of an indictment can be dismissed before trial under the right circumstances. This is a common and important pretrial issue in criminal defense, and understanding how it works can shape the entire direction of a case. Below is a clear, practical explanation of when and how individual countsRead More
