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I am making a cardboard guillotine and plan on having paper cut-outs of the heads of different politicians and billionaires and when I asked ChatGPT it said that the guillotine would be fine to make but when I include the paper heads of actual people, I could be getting into the threat territory... View More 
answered on May 14, 2025
What you are describing woud be protected First Amendment free speech. Signs brought to political protests and rallies would be subject to heightened protections. The only scenario where a sign could lose First Amendment protections is where the sign was deemed to be a "true threat."... View More
I have been summoned to appear in court due to charges related to a gambling scheme in horse racing. I am seeking a criminal lawyer with experience in horse racing cases. Can you advise on how to find such a lawyer or any suggestions for dealing with these charges?
answered on May 12, 2025
I do not know how you identify specific lawyes with past experience defending illegal horse gambling schemes, other than googling news reports and articles about others charged in the past with these crimes, and looking to see if their lawyer is mentioned, or looking up those defendants by name in... View More
Yesterday, my neighbor shot his girlfriend, and the SWAT team along with other police officers entered his apartment. However, he was not there. I fear for my safety. I have previously made complaints against this tenant for inappropriate content, but nothing like this has happened before. The... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
That situation sounds terrifying, and it’s understandable that you’re feeling unsafe. When someone is involved in a violent crime like a shooting, especially one that prompts a SWAT response, it often becomes more than just a police matter—it can lead to serious lease violations. Most leases... View More
I am currently on probation for a second DUI, and my license has been revoked and suspended. I've been caught driving on a revoked license three times. The first instance resulted in a probation violation and postponement; the second also led to a postponement. For the third violation in... View More
answered on May 5, 2025
You need a lawyer. Either retain private counsel or go to the Public Defender. You are looking at jail time for the new charge as well as the probation violation.
I was found guilty of resisting arrest when I was 19 and I'm now 47 with no other convictions or charges. I previously tried expungement, but it didn't work, and the new changes in Maryland laws haven't helped my situation. I would like this conviction removed for personal reasons.... View More
answered on May 1, 2025
Unfortunately, a conviction for resisting arrest is not eligible for expungement at the present time. A probation before judgment can be expunged. The laws change every year so hopefully this charge becomes eligible in the future.
My wife lived in the United States for the past 10 years and is currently in India. She is applying for an F2 visa and will attend the consular interview. We had disputes, leading her to file domestic violence and another criminal case against me in India. These cases were recently dismissed... View More
answered on Apr 29, 2025
If I’m reading your facts correctly, these cases were brought against you, not against her. You were the alleged perpetrator, she was the alleged victim. In that case, they will have no affect at all.
Why was my jury trial for charges of 1st degree burglary, 3rd degree burglary, and theft vacated with no reasons listed by the court?
answered on Apr 27, 2025
It is impossible for any of us to know without looking at the court file. You should direct this question to your attorney who should be able to answer your question.
Completed and awaiting the other.
I am wanting my ccw permit and wondering about the NICS check and firearms rights restorations. Basically does the state CJIS inform ncic about expungement
answered on Apr 22, 2025
Yes, is deletes the entries in the FBI's nationwide database used by all state and local police agencies and for private employer background checks. The only exception is when the FBI itself performs a criminal background check (e.g., for federal employment, immigration, security clearance,... View More
I've been receiving numerous verbal threats from my neighbor, who has repeatedly threatened to knock out my teeth and lights. My roommate has witnessed these threats on several occasions, and there have been about a dozen incidents overall. I am trying to find information about the legal... View More
answered on Apr 18, 2025
MD Code, Criminal Law, § 3-803. Harassment.
Prohibited
(a) A person may not follow another in or about a public place or maliciously engage in a course of conduct that alarms or seriously annoys the other:
(1) with the intent to harass, alarm, or annoy the other;... View More
I am facing felony gun and ammo charges, and my defense has requested an on-demand test involving a chemist or breath technician. Could you explain the purpose of such a request and how it might relate to my case?
answered on Apr 22, 2025
Most criminal defense lawyers file omnibus motions covering every type of demand for every tpe of chemist the state may attempt to use, regardless of whether any such test was performed or even relevant to the charges. This way, they don't miss requesting the prsence of the chemist in any... View More
I am a U.S. citizen concerned about potential difficulties when re-entering the USA after traveling to Turkey due to a resolved misdemeanor conviction for the misuse of phone calls. My probation ends on the 24th of this month, and I have previously traveled internationally without issues or... View More
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answered on Apr 6, 2025
You should be able to re-enter the United States without major issues. As a U.S. citizen, you have the legal right to return to your home country, even with a misdemeanor on your record. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may review your criminal history during re-entry, but a resolved... View More
I am a U.S. citizen with a resolved misdemeanor charge involving my stepdaughter. Before this, I had no prior legal issues. I previously traveled to the UK in February without any problems. I am now planning to travel to Turkey and want to know if I might face any difficulties due to this charge.... View More
answered on Apr 5, 2025
If you are on supervised probation, you need permission from your probation officer or the judge to leave Maryland. This is a standard condition of supervised probation. You will also need to see if there any restrictions in being allowed into Turkey with a conviction which depends on the laws... View More
I would like to know if, in Maryland, the police can issue a ticket for drinking alcohol on the porch of a single-family home, especially if the porch is visible from the street and there are loud voices but no previous warnings have been given.
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
In Maryland, consuming alcohol in public places is generally prohibited. Public places include areas such as streets, sidewalks, parks, and other locations accessible to the general public. However, private property, like the porch of a single-family home, is typically not considered a public... View More
I am an adult in Maryland, and last week, I encountered an incident in a public college setting. During class, I realized my dress was ripped at the top and could potentially expose my bra. Because I had an emergency to attend immediately after class and couldn't change, I put on another top... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2025
In Maryland, indecent exposure laws generally apply when someone intentionally exposes their private parts in a public space. The law typically refers to exposing genitalia or other areas considered private in a way that would be offensive or alarming to others. If someone accidentally exposes... View More
I had an escort's number but did not meet her. After this, I received a text saying I wasted her time, followed by threats from a pimp to kill me and my family. I have evidence of these threats through multiple texts, but I have not contacted law enforcement yet. Will I be held liable if I... View More
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answered on Apr 2, 2025
You have a right to safety regardless of the circumstances that led to these threats. Reporting credible threats of violence to law enforcement is generally advisable, as your safety and that of your family should be the primary concern. The police take death threats very seriously, and the... View More
During a verbal argument in a public place, I threatened to shoot someone although I did not have a weapon and was speaking out of anger. The police took a report but did not arrest me, and I have no prior offenses or further contact with the strangers involved. The incident was recorded. Given... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
You could potentially face charges of criminal threatening, assault (the threat of harm, not actual physical contact), terroristic threatening, or disorderly conduct depending on your state's specific laws. The severity ranges from misdemeanors carrying fines and possibly up to a year in jail,... View More
I am looking to have a guilty finding for an open container violation and resisting arrest from 42 years ago expunged in Maryland. The offenses occurred when I was 19 years old, and I am currently 60. In the past, I had other convictions, including possession with intent to distribute in 1988... View More
answered on Mar 14, 2025
If you received probation before judgment, they can both be expunged. If the convictions are intact and they arose from the same incident, then they cannot be expunged because resisting arrest cannot be expunged. Under the unit rule, both charges must be eligible. However, the laws change... View More
I'm concerned about my neighbor bringing an animal nuisance charge against my mother in Harford County, MD, for stray cats that do not belong to her. There have been no interactions with the neighbor, no notifications from city officials or animal control, and we were informed that the... View More
answered on Mar 11, 2025
You do not state the exact civil code violation your mother was cited with violating. However, Harford County Code Section 64-12, entitled "Animals Constituting Nuisances" reads as follows:
It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any animal in such a manner as to cause... View More
I need assistance in obtaining all documents related to a criminal case with the case number CT081026X filed in Prince George's County. What are the steps to request these documents, and are there any specific requirements I should be aware of?
answered on Mar 10, 2025
All court files are public and may be copied by anyone, unless a court order directs that all or part of the case file be sealed from public view. Some documents containing personally identifiable information and financial account numbers are redacted or sealed, and all criminal juvenile cases are... View More
I am facing charges of 2nd-degree assault, and two other charges related to a "dangerous weapon." I showed a Byrna Launcher to a would-be attacker, but I never aimed it at the individual, and it was inoperative with an empty or missing gas cartridge. Under Maryland law, is an inoperative... View More
answered on Mar 10, 2025
It can be, but it depends on the exact charges, which you do not identify. However, you are charged with a criminal offense, and you should not be asking questions on a public forum like this accessible by law enforcement, especially with details that can easily be used to identify you (like 2d... View More
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