Law Office of Elizabeth A. Lawrence Blog

There are two categories for criminal offenses in Maryland, felonies and misdemeanors.  It’s generally known that misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, but in Maryland, some misdemeanors can carry longer jail sentences than felonies.  Here we’ll explain why the difference matters, why there’s confusion between the two, how to identify each, and how you can best protect yourself from these charges. 

If you have a criminal history, you need to speak with an experienced immigration attorney before applying for citizenship or being involved in other immigration proceedings.  If the crime is considered serious, you risk not only being denied citizenship, but having your green card taken away from you and being deported.  Immigration laws are very complex and each unique situation will be treated differently based on how the case is presented.  This is important to keep in mind while we discuss the basics of how criminal charges can affect immigration proceedings.

The MVA uses license points in order to decide whether a driver should enroll in a Driver Improvement Program, be suspended from driving or have their license revoked after failing to follow driving laws.  Points often accumulate after minor violations, such as speeding 15 mph over the limit, failing to use a turn signal, or running a red light, but only by 1 or 2 points for each violation.  The penalties for DWIs and DUIs, on the other hand, are much more severe.  In many states there are no points added in addition to the consequences of the charge, but in Maryland, 8 license points are added for a DWI, and 12 license points are added for a DUI. 

In Maryland, police officers are constantly on the lookout for intoxicated drivers.  DUI and DWI charges are enforced on anyone who is caught driving impaired.  This strict enforcement is likely why Maryland has fewer drunk driving fatalities than other states, as well as why fatalities and serious injuries among drunk drivers are steadily declining.  Before making the decision to drive impaired, or if you’ve recently been arrested for doing so, it’s important to understand the penalties for a DUI or DWI charge in Maryland and how these penalties can be reduced. 

It’s an important responsibility for any driver to understand what should be done after a car accident.  In Maryland alone there are over 100,000 accidents every year, so whether you’ve recently experienced an accident or you just want to be better prepared, here’s what you should (and perhaps more importantly shouldn’t) do after a car accident.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status is an often-misunderstood type of juvenile protection. It is a unique type of immigration remedy that takes the help of an experienced lawyer to obtain. What is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Protection, and what do you need to know about it?

As we enter October, it’s important to remember that the deadline for REAL ID compliance is less than a year away. Starting October 1, 2020, all air travelers are required to present a state-issued driver’s license, valid passport, military ID or REAL ID-compliant driver’s license to board a flight within the United States. If you are not prepared for REAL ID compliance, you will not be able to get to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint or fly.

Every accident is different, and in the aftermath of a car accident, your biggest priority is your safety and the well-being of everyone who was in your car. However, once you are entering the recovery period, you need to start thinking about your car accident claim value. Will you be able to recover money sufficient for covering the cost of your medical treatment? Will you be able to purchase a new vehicle if yours is totaled? Understanding the compensation that you can receive in a car accident claim is critical.

Filing an appeal in a criminal case is a strategic, sometimes even risky choice. It is important to understand how the appeals process works in Maryland so that you can make choices confidently alongside your attorney. If a defendant does not like the outcome of his or her case, they can appeal the case depending on the circumstances. Of course, the goal of appealing is to get a more favorable ruling for the defendant, however this is not always the outcome. That is why it is important to be cautious and deliberate when filing for an appeal in a criminal case.

After being arrested for a DUI or DWI, figuring out next steps can be daunting. If convicted, individuals could face fines, jail time and temporary or permanent suspension of their driver’s license. If you are not a United States citizen, a DUI or DWI may carry adverse Immigration consequences which could lead to revocation of green card and detention by ICE. It is highly recommended that you follow a few best practices on your end during the days after your arrest, as well as hiring an attorney. Your case mostly depends on the facts of your situation to determine the outcome, and an attorney will know which facts will strengthen your case. You can prepare for your case by taking several critical steps.