When police seize your property during an investigation, it can feel like a violation — especially when you are not sure whether they had the legal right to take it. In Maryland, law enforcement can seize property under certain circumstances, but those circumstances are governed by the Fourth Amendment and Maryland law. If the policeRead More
Rights & Procedures
What Does Nolle Prosequi Mean? Complete Guide to Maryland Cases
Nolle prosequi is a Latin legal term meaning “we shall no longer prosecute.” When a prosecutor enters a nolle prosequi in a Maryland criminal case, they are formally declining to continue pursuing the charges against the defendant. While this is not the same as an acquittal or dismissal, it effectively ends the prosecution of theRead More
What Is Exculpatory Evidence? Definition, Examples & Your Rights
Exculpatory evidence is any evidence that tends to prove a defendant’s innocence or reduces their culpability in a criminal case. Under the landmark Supreme Court decision Brady v. Maryland (1963), prosecutors are constitutionally required to disclose all exculpatory evidence to the defense. Failure to do so is a violation of due process and can resultRead More
What Is a Nolle Prosequi in Maryland and What Does It Mean for Your Case?
If your criminal case in Maryland ends with a nolle prosequi, you may feel relieved but also confused about what it actually means for your record and your future. Nolle prosequi — Latin for “we shall no longer prosecute” — is a decision by the State’s Attorney to decline to further pursue the charges againstRead More
How to Beat an Assault Charge in Maryland
If you are facing an assault charge in Maryland, you are likely wondering whether there is any way to fight the charges and avoid a conviction. The answer depends on the specific facts of your case, but assault charges are beatable. Prosecutors must prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, and thereRead More