We appeared with our client on charges of trespass, failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order of a police officer and disorderly conduct. Upon entering a plea of Not Guilty the State entered the trespass charge as Nolle Prosequi (dismissed) and we proceeded to a court trial. The trial judge found our client Not Guilty. We believe that the prosecution was initiated by an overzealous police officer. The court’s ruling totally vindicated our client.
Acquittal in the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County
Our client, a young woman, was acquitted of second degree assault upon a University of Maryland policeman after a court trial in Hyattsville, Maryland. The court found that our client was entitled to use reasonable force to defend against an unlawful touching initiated by the University of Maryland policeman. Justice once again is achieved.
Acquittal in the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County
This office successfully defended a young man in a domestic violence (second degree assault) case brought by his wife. The defendant offered a plea of not guilty and his wife invoked her marital privilege not to testify. In spite of the fact that the defendant’s wife refused to testify the State continued to prosecute this matter by attempting to enter the wife’s medical records into evidence. However during our preparation for trial we realized that the State did not give timely notice of their intent to offer this business record. The court accepted our objection to the late notice and refused to allow the medical records into evidence and thereafter acquitted our client of all charges.
Re-balancing crack cocaine convictions
The Editorial Board of the Washington Post reported that last week, President Obama granted clemency to eight people serving long sentences on crack-cocaine convictions.
Because of a disparity in the law that is now recognized as unjust, they remain in prison, separated from their families and their communities, at a cost of millions of taxpayer dollars each year.
Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States of America
Congress and the president agree that the old rules were unwise, yet many others sitting in prison deserve a chance to show that their sentences did not fit their crimes. Lawmakers are considering various ways to ease sentences — and the strain on the prison system — by applying new sentencing standards to old convictions.
Politicians should embrace the opportunity to re-balance, in a measured way, how the country punishes criminals. Mr. Obama’s latest move is welcome. We hope it is not his last.
Those who are facing drug charges will need to hire a criminal law attorney who specializes in drug crimes to help them build their defense strategy. A criminal law expert should be able to review their cases and work on their defense.
A version of this article appeared in print on Tuesday, December 24, 2013, on page A16 of The Washington Post with the headline: Insufficient mercy Thousands imprisoned for crack deserve a shot at fairer sentences. By The Washington Post Editorial Board
Shedding Light on a Dark Reality
Sexual abuse is a deeply distressing and pervasive issue that affects individuals across the globe, transcending age, gender, and socio-economic boundaries. It is a dark and painful reality that demands our attention, understanding, and collective action to combat.
Defining Sexual Abuse:
Sexual abuse encompasses a wide range of non-consensual sexual activities or behaviors inflicted upon a person against their will. These acts can include but are not limited to, unwanted sexual advances, harassment, assault, rape, and exploitation. It is important to note that consent is a fundamental principle of any healthy sexual relationship, and any violation of this boundary constitutes abuse.
The Far-Reaching Impact:
The consequences of sexual abuse are profound and enduring. Survivors often experience physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. Feelings of shame, guilt, and fear can haunt them for years, leading to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The effects of sexual abuse can ripple through all aspects of a survivor’s life, straining relationships, hindering personal growth, and impeding overall well-being.
Breaking the Silence:
One of the most significant challenges in addressing sexual abuse is the stigma and shame that often shroud survivors. Many suffer in silence, fearing judgment or disbelief. However, it is crucial to create safe spaces where survivors can share their experiences and seek help without fear of blame or reprisal.
Prevention and Support:
Preventing sexual abuse requires a multi-faceted approach that involves education, awareness, and support. Encouraging open conversations about consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships is essential. Schools, communities, and families must actively promote a culture of respect and zero tolerance for abuse.
Support for survivors is equally vital. Access to counseling, therapy, and support groups can aid in the healing process. Legal mechanisms such as hiring a church sex abuse attorney and holding perpetrators accountable must also be strengthened.
In conclusion, sexual abuse is a grave violation of human rights and dignity. To combat it, we must stand together to break the silence, raise awareness, and foster a society where sexual abuse is not tolerated. By understanding the profound impact of sexual abuse and taking action, we can work toward a future where every individual can live free from the fear and trauma of abuse.
D.C. Mayor Gray Supports Bill to Decriminalize Pot Possession
Wednesday, October 23, 2013, D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) offered his first unequivocal support for decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, adding momentum to a legislative proposal that has the support of a supermajority on the D.C. Council and could make the District one of the nation’s most lenient jurisdictions on marijuana possession.
Under a measure proposed by council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), possession of less than an ounce of marijuana in the District would no longer be punishable by six months in jail and a penalty of $1,000.
“I support decriminalization. Legalization is another issue. I’m not there on that issue, yet,” Mayor Vincent Gray
Instead, those caught with amounts of the drug deemed for personal use would risk only a civil charge and a ticket of $100.
via The Washington Post’s Aaron C. Davis
A version of this article appeared in print on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, of The Washington Post with the headline: Gray backs bill to decriminalize pot possession by Aaron Davis.
Total Vindication of our Client in Allegany County Circuit Court on the Charge of Rape
On October 15, 2013 we appeared with our client in the Circuit Court for Allegany County. Our client was accused of Rape at a party held by upperclassmen and graduate students at Frostburg State University; our client was the only sophomore present. The State on October 15, 2013 entered the charge of Rape as “Nolle Prosequi”, DISMISSED.
The defense investigation located six additional witnesses who corroborated our client’s version of the events which corroborated the client’s total claim of innocence. Our office, early on in the case, located a video tape which also corroborated our client’s innocence. The investigating officer failed to interview critical witnesses and failed to go to the scene of the alleged crime to properly document the allegations of the complaining witness. Our investigator, Todd Troutner, not only documented the scene of the alleged crime but he also located and interviewed the unbiased critical witnesses present at the get together.
The Sexual Assault Forensic Examination at the hospital ultimately showed that there was no evidence of trauma which would indicate a forcible rape assault. DNA swabs taken by the sexual assault nurse at the initial examination of the complaining witness’s vaginal area were taken at the hospital the morning after the alleged rape. These swabs were eventually provided to the Maryland State Police for testing. The DNA of the vaginal area of the complaining witness failed to implicate our client. These forensic revelations as to the DNA were not disclosed by the State until September 19, 2013; however the allegations of Rape were alleged to have occurred on or about February 26, 2013. Find out more about how law works using the last link.
Our investigation revealed that the complaining witness’s father was a former policeman who was well known to the investigating officer as a colleague. Discovery disclosed that there were discussions between the investigating officer and the complaining witness’s father just as the investigation commenced which clearly indicated to this office some bias in the investigation.
Unfortunately this vindication of our client had a significant cost, both emotionally and economically on our client and his family which was the considering the help from the best family lawyers Melbourne firm.
JUSTICE SOMETIMES COMES AT A PRICE BUT JUSTICE PREVAILED!
Jury Finds Our Client Not Guilty of Assault Upon Montgomery County Police Officer
On September 18, 2013 our client appeared for a jury trial before the Honorable Joseph Dugan in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, after having been initially charged with three counts of reckless endangerment, one count of affray, one count of second degree assault upon a police officer, and one count of disorderly conduct. All charges, but for the assault upon a police officer, were dismissed in open court prior to the jury’s finding of Not Guilty as to the assault count. On September 19, 2013 after only two hours of deliberations the jury returned a unanimous verdict of Not Guilty. The client was the subject of completely unfounded charges but the State seemed “hell bent” on getting a conviction even if the facts of the case did not warrant the client being charged initially. Justice was well served on September 19, 2013.
First Degree Assault Case Dismissed in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County
On August 5, 2013 after many weeks and months this office was successful in convincing the State’s Attorney’s Office for Prince George’s County to dismiss all charges. This task was accomplished by filing Motions to Compel Discovery which asked that the State be sanctioned for their failure to produce the physical evidence against the defendant. It became apparent to this office that the State was being recalcitrant in the production of these items for reasons unknown. This office continued to press the issue and the State then disclosed that all the physical evidence including DNA samples had been destroyed.
Death penalty convictions under review due to FBI forensic testimony errors
The Washington Post reported on July 17, 2013, that an unprecedented federal review of old criminal cases has uncovered as many as 27 death penalty convictions in which FBI forensic experts may have mistakenly linked defendants to crimes with exaggerated scientific testimony, U.S. officials said.
The review led to an 11th-hour stay of execution in Mississippi in May.
The death row cases are among the first 120 convictions identified as potentially problematic among more than 21,700 FBI Laboratory files being examined. The review was announced last July by the FBI and the Justice Department, in consultation with the Innocence Project and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL).
One of the things good scientists do is question their assumptions. No matter what the field, what the discipline, those questions should be up for debate. That’s as true in forensics as anything else.
David Christian “Chris” Hassell, director of the FBI Laboratory
The federal inquiry came after the Public Defender Service helped exonerate three D.C. men through DNA testing that showed that three FBI hair examiners contributed to their wrongful convictions for rape or murder in the early 1980s.
Of 15,000 files reviewed to date, the FBI said a hair association was declared in about 2,100 cases. Investigators have contacted police and prosecutors in more than 1,200 of those cases to find out whether hair evidence was used in a conviction, in which case trial transcripts will be sought. However, 400 of those cases have been closed because prosecutors did not respond.