Insurance Fraud Penalties Issued to Maryland Man

A former officer for the Maryland Transit Association was sentenced to 5 years in prison for his participation in an insurance fraud scheme. He destroyed his SUV and that of some friends in order to get out from under the loan payments due to tight financial conditions.

Often criminal fraud charges in Maryland result from desperate financial situations and momentary panic. If you committed an act of fraud , exercising bad judgment in a weak or stupid moment, we understand how this can happen. You do need to face that these charges are serious.

But that doesn't mean you deserve the maximum penalty allowed by law for a stupid mistake. Please contact us to find out how we can help you work out a reasonable deal, and get on with your life.

Everyone deserves a second chance, and fair treatment under the law. But you will not be treated fairly without an attorney on your side to protect you.

Proposals to Increase DNA Database

The Maryland House of Delegates is proposing a new DNA collection law pushed by Governor O'Malley. Under the proposed law, Maryland police and law enforcement agencies would routinely collect DNA samples from anyone arrested for a criminal charge in Maryland. The result would be an expanded database of DNA from which to search in future cases, but civil libertarians argue that it is a violation of the rights of a person who has not been convicted of a crime.

Similar laws are in place in 12 states, including Virginia, and are being actively considered in 22 other states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Members of the Maryland legislatures Black Caucus are against the proposal, saying that it unfairly targets African-Americans, who are arrested at a much higher rate than whites. Supporters of the bill suggest that it is no more of a violation than collecting fingerprint samples during the booking process, but DNA is arguably much more personal, and contains sensitive and detailed information about a person's medical history and background.

Maryland State Senate Increases Fines for Giving Alcohol to Minors

The Maryland State Senate approved a measure to increase fines for adults providing alcohol to minors, but rejected the House proposal that would have made doing so a misdemeanor criminal charge.

If the proposal becomes law, maximum civil penalties will increase from $1000 to $2500 for a first offense act of providing alcohol to someone under the legal drinking age of 21, and fines for 2nd or subsequent offenses will rise from $1500 to $5000.

Keeping the offense as a civil penalty was controversial, as lawmakers were clearly torn by the difficulties in balancing the dangers of alcohol use by minors with the practical realities of enforcement and prosecution. One factor in stopping the criminal enhancement was that the criminal charge of "Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor" is still an option for prosecution of serious cases.

Effectiveness of Maryland's DUI roadblock & sobriety checkpoint plan disputed

In a letter to the editor published in Southern Maryland Online, a representative from the American Beverage Institute cites studies that show that roving patrols are far more effective in arresting drunk drivers than organized, visible roadblocks.

It is a reasonable assumption that roadblocks are not a particularly effective use of the limited enforcement resources of the police department. Big, showy roadblocks may make people believe that they are helping reduce drunk driving more than standard, quality police work, and now the evidence supports that belief.

It is always helpful when individuals and groups come together to honestly and objectively assess the best ways to prevent drunk driving. Too often, the neo-prohibitionist groups like MADD are the only voice in the discussion.
By the way, the American Beverage Institute is an industry group that represents bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, and is an important voice in fighting drunk drivers at the source.

Surprising Maryland Criminal Offenses

You can be charged with a crime in Maryland if you purchase more than 2 packs of cigarettes from out of state and transport them home, as a Maryland resident, according to this report.

Cigarettes are much cheaper in Virginia and North Carolina, due to the fact that the average tax is $2 per pack here, while it is only about $1.20 in Virginia. So even if you literally walk across the border, and bring back 3 packs of cigarettes, you are a criminal.

Maryland rejects special license plates for multiple DUI offenders

Maryland lawmakers rejected a proposed bill to mandate special license plates for drivers with multiple DUI / Drunk driving convictions. The proposed legislation would have required that a person with 3 or more drunk driving/DWI or impaired driving charges get a special license plate with the letters DUI on it, and pay an additional $500 fee for the special tags.

The legislators rejected this "scarlet letter" approach, citing no evidence that these shaming techniques result in reduced offenses or increased safety for the public. Even MADD did not think it was a worthwhile idea, so it is probably safe to assume they are right.

DUI Roadblock Checkpoints Announced in Talbot County

Police in Talbot County Maryland announced they are setting up DUI roadblocks this weekend. The locations are undisclosed, but the fact that roadblocks will be in affect is designed to deter drunk drivers. It is also a requirement for the DUI roadblock to be legal that they be announced in advance, to make them constitutional under Maryland law.