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...
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Firm News
How effective is DNA at clearing convictions?
DNA is a relatively new tool in the criminal field. However, despite its rather young age, the technology for identifying and using DNA has grown exponentially. In fact, as technology has improved, DNA has helped to exonerate many people for crimes. Some people...
RaquinMercer LLC secures a another reversal on appeal in a First Degree Murder case
In Ford v. State, the Court of Special Appeals held that the trial court committed reversable error in refusing to propound Appellant’s proposed voir dire questions regarding the presumption of innocence, proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and his Fifth Amendment right...
Court tosses conviction of one defendant in murder of teens
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A Maryland appeals court has overturned the convictions of one of four men who were found guilty in the killings of two Maryland high school students on the eve of their graduation. The Court of Special Appeals ruled Thursday that a trial judge erred...
Court tosses conviction of one defendant in murder of Montgomery Co. teens
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland appeals court has overturned the convictions of one of four men found guilty in the killings of two Maryland high school students on the eve of their graduation. The court ruled Thursday that a judge erred in preventing attorneys for...
Raquinmercer Wins Reversal On Appeal In First Degree Murder Case
On January 14, 2021, in the Court of Special Appeals, Isabelle Raquin and Steve Mercer secured a major win in a complex criminal case involving forensic science. RaquinMercer won the reversal of the 2017 murder conviction in Galicia v. State of Maryland, No. 3350...
How can I prove ineffective assistance of counsel?
One of the approaches you can take with your criminal appeal is to claim your attorney did not do a good job. However, making this claim is not as simple as showing you do no feel your attorney did everything he or she could to prove your innocence. Cornell Law School...
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We established this blog to share stories and information about topics relevant to our practice. Our intent is to regularly provide posts highlighting legal issues of local, state and national interest that we think you will find interesting. Check back later for...