Suffering from a wrongful criminal conviction is hurtful and damaging. However, a convict may still seek post-conviction relief by requesting a DNA analysis. Through DNA technology, it would be possible to identify the offender and present new evidence about the...
Post-Conviction Relief
Can DNA evidence overturn a sex offense?
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...
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...
How DNA proof overrules witness misidentification during post-conviction
Shortly after its development in 1985, DNA testing became a powerful defense tool. It enabled offenders to challenge criminal convictions by presenting new evidence connected to their own unique DNA. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, DNA evidence...
The importance of post-conviction relief
When a verdict comes down, and it is not in your favor, it could feel like the end of the world. However, the legal system acknowledges that the path to justice does not end with a guilty verdict. Post-conviction relief represents an opportunity to challenge the...
Can DNA evidence help overturn criminal convictions?
DNA evidence can be instrumental in exonerating individuals who have suffered wrongful convictions, especially in cases where such evidence and testing were not available at the time of the original trial. Each person has a unique DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) profile...
Challenging witness testimony with DNA evidence
We often see a scenario in movies and TV shows where someone's freedom hinges on a witness's words. But it is not just fiction. Real life has shown us that human memory can be shaky, especially under stress. This can lead to mistakes and, in some cases, wrongful...
4-3 Reversal Over Violation of Right to Counsel, both under the Sixth Amendment and Articles 21 and 24
Clark v. State (No. 25. September Term 2022, opinion by Honorable Shirley M. Watts), decided on the last day of the term, is unusual and remarkable. This 132-page, 4-3 opinion is really a 4-4-3-3 decision which includes a majority opinion by Justice Watts, joined by...
Judge Tosses Abuse Convictions Of MD. Teacher, Citing Bad Lawyering
The Washington Post By Dan Norse and Nicole Asbury July 23, 2023 A new trial was ordered for John Vigna, 56, who taught at a Montgomery County elementary school for more than 20 years ...“Trial counsel failed to investigate and prepare Vigna’s defense,” Vigna’s new...
Data reveals most innocent defendants never get day in court
The United States Justice system exonerated more than 3,000 inmates since 1989. However, most wrongfully convicted prisoners will never get their day in court, according to data from the National Registry of Exonerations. What does this data reveal about the future of...