Sex offenses are heinous crimes that leave lasting scars on victims. However, in cases with limited evidence, the pursuit of justice can lead to wrongful convictions. In Maryland, DNA testing has emerged as a powerful tool for exonerating the wrongly accused in sex...
Month: April 2024
When a Woman’s Questions About Her Right to Choose Is Proof of Intent to Kill at Birth
In Akers v. State (September Term 2022, No. 0925) (unreported), Moira Akers searched the Internet for information about aborting her pregnancy. Akers’ pregnancy was in the first trimester, and she was within her rights to investigate her options to end...
Denial of Right to Public Trial or De Minimis Violation?
In March 2024, the Supreme Court of Maryland (SCM) granted the State’s petition for certiorari in State v. Scarboro, ACM No. 1646 (Sept. Term 2022), SCM No. 4 (Sept. Term 2024), an unreported decision by Chief Judge Wells. The State’s petition presented the following...
Can I expunge criminal offenses from my record?
The state of Maryland generally has measures shielding certain offenses on one’s record from public view, but these may not be enough to protect you from the social stigma and lasting negative effects of a criminal conviction. If you qualify, you may seek to clear or...