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Maryland Criminal Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Municipal Law for Maryland on
Q: What crimes would be charged against a subject for self defense of their home or property?

More in depth if a person used a firearm in the defense of self or others what crimes are they being charged with?

Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Jan 18, 2018

Almost anything. Maryland generally DOES NOT allow use of deadly force to defend against property. The gray area is that Maryland does allow citizens to make an arrest when warranted and that the castle doctrine means you ARE allowed to defend yourself within your home using reasonable force and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: My son lives in MD and currently has three outstanding FTA warrants. He was in VA and Stafford County police picked him

up after his gf gave them info about where he was and that he has warrants in MD. He is now in jail there with three FUGITIVE, FELONY W/O WARRANT charges. What does that mean?

Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Jan 18, 2018

Means he could be extradited into MD. He should hire both VA and MD counsel. MD counsel such as myself can help with the cases in MD where he Failed to Appear for court. It means he skipped or couldn't make 2 court dates and the judge set in warrants for both. Not sure what "fugitive... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: My son is currently serving 18 months for theft under $1000. He is now being charged for vagabond theft under $1000.

The new charges are from 2016. We are in Maryland. Could this add more time to his sentence?

Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Jan 18, 2018

Depending on if he's convicted and whether any part of the prior sentence included probation and backup time.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: am i eligble for a hql if i have a charge for resisting arrest without violence in another state

my case is 11 years old from 2007 for resisting arrest without violence i was found guilty researching fl statue it is punishable by less than a year but was denied hql because of charge i was given 6 months probation which i completed suscessfullly

Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Jan 18, 2018

It could affect it but possibly not. I would need to see the specific facts of the case to determine whether this specific case falls into the category of excluded offenses or whether there was a grandfather clause for certain cases.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: Contradiction on Findlaw.com over Stand Your Ground, and Castle Doctrine in Pensylvannia. Does PA support S.Y.G or not?

My fiance and I are planning a move to PA and I was looking up laws that might pertain to our family in the future. On Findlaw.com it states that PA "is not one of the states that have stand your ground laws, but the state does follow the castle doctrine, which shares similar traits."... View More

Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Jan 18, 2018

You have asked the right person in a sense... I am the US Law Shield gun rights lawyer for Maryland, but I am not the attorney for PA. You should post this in PA rather than MD.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes and Civil Rights for Maryland on
Q: If my mom is in prison, will that affect my background checks?

My mom is in prison for benefit fraud and child abuse (not to me) but I had nothing to do with it, could it still affect my background checks and ability to work in the government?

Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Jan 18, 2018

No.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: Hello my friend was just arrested for keeping a rental car. What is she facing and what cost for an attorney.

Happen in Calvert maryland. She also was charged cause her prescription bottles count was below what it should have been.

Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Jan 18, 2018

I handle Maryland cases. The cost is determined by the seriousness of offense, record if any of the accused before this case, and complexity. I have handled cases in Calvert County and can absolutely help here. I think the best way to proceed is a free consult. Call me at (410) 244-5068. The... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: If I give a friend permission to use my mailing address is that against the law
Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Jan 5, 2018

No.

People are generally free to forward mail anywhere they choose. However, where someone is required to report their actual residence / address, they must report their actual address (e.g., if someone is a registered offender).

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Personal Injury and Constitutional Law for Maryland on
Q: In Maryland, Can you defend yourself by using any object against another individual?

Can u use an object to defend yourself against teens & other adults like your parents if your life is at risk?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jan 3, 2018

You need to consult a criminal defense attorney if you have done this, and discuss no facts on any social media.

Any person may use REASONABLE force to defend themselves but what is reasonable depends on the circumstances.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: What can I do if I don't want to testify
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Dec 29, 2017

Plead the 5th if you are the defendant. No inference can be inferred by your silence under the Constitution and the jury will be so instructed as well

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: What is a typical sentence for an inmate convicted of violating section 3-210 of the Maryland Criminal Code?
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Dec 24, 2017

It is the code the deals with inmate assault. If you get convicted, the sentence is consecutive to other sentences and it cannot be suspended. That’s just the sentence part- VOP would be on top of that.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Child Custody for Maryland on
Q: Can the testimony of a counsler in a child custody case be used against me in a criminal case
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Dec 17, 2017

The counselor can testify what they were told if there is a hearing to allow the counselor to testify.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: If there are new management at the property does A old trespassing agreement still stands
Eric Todd Kirk
Eric Todd Kirk pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 11, 2017

I think your best bet is "yes". There may be many arguments as to the agreement not "running with the land" or being descendable to a new owner, perhaps even compelling enough to avoid conviction. Why risk being wrong?

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: If someone has been charged with misdemeanor 1 corruption of minor, can they ever own firearm
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Dec 10, 2017

Typically the disqualifying offense would be a crime of violence or a felony. I’m not aware of this being disqualifying per se for a gun but could imagine this would be a condition of probation or release.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: My son's mother's new boyfriend is continuously texting me.

I have continuously asked him to stop and he won't. He verbally threatened me and through text. What can I do about it?

Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Nov 15, 2017

Seek a peace order or protective order if this is someone who lives with you. You can also look into filing criminal charges for electronic harassment. I would start with the protective order though as I think that could solve your problem given the lower legal standard.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: Is this a felony or misdemeanor?

Going 20 mph over speed limit

Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Nov 7, 2017

Misdemeanor, payable traffic. Not even must appear.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: What are the statue of limitations on warrants in Maryland

Warrants for felony thefts

Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
answered on Nov 7, 2017

I am not aware of any statute of limitations on warrants. If you fail to appear for a case, for example, the warrant is going to sit there until it is addressed. I recently represented someone with a warrant from the 1990's that he is now addressing.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Maryland on
Q: If a verbally abusiv family member shows up at your house uninvited and refuses to leave and repeats, is it harrassment?

This immediate family member has repeatedly verbally and emotionally attacked me. They have showed up to my house after I asked not to, and refused to leave. They make threats to show up at my children's sports activities and it drives my anxiety and stress. They are manipulative and minimize... View More

June Marie Marshall
June Marie Marshall
answered on Oct 4, 2017

Sounds like trespassing.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I record an incoming call to my personal cell phone even if I am not showing it to anyone?

If just to have for my own records, can I record incoming calls to my person cell phone or house phone?

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Sep 28, 2017

No. Maryland law requires the consent of the other person to record a phone conversation. Sometimes consent may be implied if someone keeps talking after an announcement "this call will be recorded."

For more information you may wish to read up on Maryland's wiretapping laws.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: Is it illegal to kill yourself, or, more generally; Is an act illegal if justice could not be enforced upon the person?
Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Sep 28, 2017

Suicide is often a recognized criminal offense. "Illegal" means something is against the law and the likelihood of prosecution does not generally change the nature of the action.

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