Maryland Criminal Attorney Blog
Marijuana is legal for recreational consumption in Maryland, but the laws surrounding its use, especially when combined with driving, are still evolving and often confusing. This creates a complex landscape for those facing Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUI) charges under Maryland Transportation Article 21-902 (c) or (d), and it’s crucial to understand how these changes might affect your DUI. As a criminal defense attorney, I regularly see first-hand the legal grey areas and want to shed some light on this important topic.
Understanding DUI Criminal Defense: The Significance of Tired Driving
Driving under the influence (DUI) under Maryland’s Transportation article 21-902(a) is a criminal offense that carries serious consequences in Maryland, including up to a $1000 fine and 1 year incarceration. DUI as operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs and is a clear crime in Maryland. Driving while fatigued or tired is not a crime (even if it is a poor decision and could put lives at risk).
Understanding How Medical Conditions Can Lead to a False DUI Arrest
As we navigate through the beginning of 2025, notable holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and the approaching St. Patrick’s Day mean that law enforcement is particularly vigilant on our roadways. These celebrations typically result in an increased police presence aimed at detecting and apprehending impaired drivers.
Silverman Thompson Secures Dismissal of Federal Cyberstalking Charges
In October 2022, Silverman Thompson’s client—an Ivy League-educated attorney and mother of two working in a career position with the federal government—was arrested and charged in federal court with cyberstalking. In January 2025, the Government dismissed the case.
Victims of Internet Harassment: Civil Remedies
Can I Sue to Stop Internet Harassment? Like all things in the law, the answer is “maybe.”
Victims of Internet Harassment: Criminal Conduct, Protective Orders
In the last few years, explosive growth of social media caused an explosion of internet harassment. Whether it is internet harassment of a person or a business, the growth of cyber-bullying, revenge porn, or just plain false information online has grown exponentially. Changes in evolving technology have been far ahead of the law and its protections for people.
Indictment Dismissed: Frederick Sheriff Chuck Jenkins is Vindicated
This week, the United States Attorney’s Office in the District of Maryland dismissed the five-count indictment that has been pending since early April 2023 against Frederick County Sheriff Charles “Chuck” Jenkins. Jenkins is currently serving his fifth term as the elected sheriff of Frederick County. The dismissal was “with prejudice” – a resounding end to the prosecution. This dismissal followed the complete acquittal by a jury of Jenkins’ co-defendant, Robert Krop, owner of The Machine Gun Nest on October 22, 2024. These two men, who were alleged to have conspired to violate ATF regulations between August 2015 and May 2022, barely knew each other.
Noah’s Law: The Drunk Driving Reduction Act of 2016 Is Expanded
Maryland Enacts New Law Requiring Enrollment in the Ignition Interlock System Program for Individuals Who Receive Probation Before Judgment (PBJ)
Silverman Thompson Secures Four-Year Sentence Despite Maximum Sentence of Over 100 Years
Silverman Thompson attorneys Brian Thompson, Riane White, and Patrick Seidel recently scored a major victory for a married couple facing a 30-count indictment for serious felonies, including armed robbery, extortion, and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence. They faced maximum sentences of over 100 years if convicted on all counts. To make matters worse, the entire incident was caught on surveillance video. Silverman Thompson represented the husband and coordinated closely with the wife’s defense team.
Silverman Thompson Secures Dismissal of Juvenile Delinquency Petition
According to the Pew Research Center, nearly all U.S. teens say they use the internet every day, with almost half reporting they are online “almost constantly.” As every parent knows, the internet is a double-edged sword: it is an incredibly useful tool, but it is fraught with potential danger for our children—especially when unsupervised.
Can a Domestic Violence Protective Order of Peace Order be Expunged?
Both criminal and domestic attorneys are frequently confronted with whether domestic violence protective orders or peace orders can be expunged. This is an extremely important question given how readily available court information now is on the internet. Anyone with a computer or even a smart phone can bring up Maryland Judiciary Case Search and find out a person’s entire legal history in seconds. This information is available to potential employers and undoubtedly costs people job opportunities daily.
What is the legal age of consent in Maryland for engaging in sexual conduct?
This post has been updated to reflect the age of consent in Maryland for 2024.
Harford County Criminal Indictment Dismissed Following Suppression of State’s Evidence in Pretextual Traffic Stop Case
This week, the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office dismissed all criminal charges against our client after the entirety of their evidence—incriminating statements coupled with the recovery of more than twelve pounds of cannabis and a loaded firearm—was suppressed by Circuit Court Judge Richard S. Bernhardt, following a three-hour suppression hearing held earlier this year.
Understanding the News: Federal Sentencing Guidelines
Ippei Mizuhara, an interpreter for L.A. Dodger’s star Shohei Ohtani, was recently charged by federal authorities in California with one count of bank fraud related to his alleged theft of millions of dollars from Ohtani, which Mizuhara used to bankroll his prolific gambling habit. Though federal investigations often take a long time, the IRS was investigating the illegal gambling ring Mizuhara used to place his bets, so they had a substantial head start on their investigation.