After your arrest, you might face pressure from a number of people to behave a certain way or say specific things. Complying with everyone's wishes or even casually discussing your situation could jeopardize your safety, however. Confessing because you feel like you...
“The Defense Never Rests.”
Month: August 2022
RaquinMercer Secures Reversal On Appeal In Coram Nobis Case
RaquinMercer filed a petition for a writ of error coram nobis in the circuit court, seeking to set aside a conviction that resulted from an unknowing and involuntary guilty plea. To satisfy a necessary condition for the issuance of the writ, petitioner alleged that...
DNA evidence is not perfect
DNA evidence changed how criminal prosecution works. However, it is not infallible and might lead to false convictions. According to the Innocence Project, both the District of Columbia and Maryland allow for post-conviction DNA testing for crimes of violence. Even if...
What are some outcomes to appealing a conviction?
Everyone should have effective counsel when going up against criminal charges in court. Unfortunately, some people end up with a conviction because a defense attorney committed mistakes that contributed to the outcome. Additionally, sometimes a trial judge misapplies...
REIMAGINING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
In my last piece written just before the start of the 2022 session, I urged the Maryland legislature to consider and adopt five major changes to the current juvenile delinquency law. Happily, the General Assembly enacted reform measures with respect to four of the...