As reported by USA Today and published by Cincinnati.com on June 11, ignoring eyewitness rules results in wrongful convictions. A total of 75 percent of wrongful convictions which are later overturned through DNA testing are the fault of flaws in the eyewitness identification process. More than 300 convictions have been overturned through DNA testing since 1989.
]]> In the first National Institute of Justice eyewitness identification standards assessment, 64 percent of police agencies reported having no formal standard for conducting photographic displays of suspects, and 84 percent had no written policy in place for how to conduct live potential suspect lineups. Data for the NIJ report was obtained from 619 police agencies. The study took place over a 15-month period. According to the report, more and more police agencies are realizing that eyewitness identifications are too often unreliable.According to the executive director of the research forum, Chuck Wexler, the procedure used for eyewitness identification has not received the study and attention it deserves. The credibility of the criminal justice system is in question. No standardization is in place in spite of National Institute guidelines that were established in 1999 as to how witnesses should be used in order to identify suspects.
The Maryland criminal defense attorneys at the firm of Alpert Schreyer want you to understand that if you have been charged with committing a crime, your Constitutional rights do not disappear. You will need an aggressive defense. You deserve to have your rights protected. As former prosecutors, our Maryland criminal defense attorneys understand how the state will build a case against you. Call us today at (866) 444-6363 for a free confidential consultation.
]]>The Supreme Court’s ruling was on Maryland’s DNA case — Maryland v. King. Governor O’Malley said that the ruling by the Supreme Court is significant due to the fact that it legitimizes one important weapon against violent crimes in the state.
]]> The Supreme Court Justices’ opinions regarding the constitutionality of the state’s DNA law varied. According to one justice, although DNA sampling laws are successful in convicting more people, more convictions are likely to happen if there is no restriction on unreasonable searches. Another Justice said that some might think of DNA sampling as a modern version of fingerprinting.The state will be able to collect DNA from an individual prior to conviction for committing a crime and without a warrant. Investigators and police can collect a DNA sample of an individual after that person has been arrested. The DNA obtained could be held by police even if the arrest failed to result in a conviction.
The Maryland DNA Collection Act was an important part of Governor O’Malley’s 2008 safety agenda. Governor O’Malley strongly believes DNA collection and use of DNA can reduce the amount of violent crime in the state.
If you have been charged with committing a crime in the state of Maryland, you would be wise to speak with one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys at the firm of Alpert Schreyer. We can help defend your constitutional rights and make sure you understand all the tools like DNA collection the courts may use against you. We will fight to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Call us at (866) 444-6363 to schedule a confidential consultation.
]]>After receiving a report of an assault at a residence in Mechanicsville on Erin Drive, St. Mary’s County deputies responded and found that a 40-year-old Mechanicsville man had been in a verbal argument and had allegedly threatened to kill another male by aiming a loaded compound bow at the victim. The suspect fled but was soon contacted and arrested by the deputies. The suspect has been charged with assault first degree and assault second degree.
]]> St. Mary’s County deputies were also recently called to St. Mary’s Hospital upon receiving a report of an assault. A male, age 18, from Lexington Park was having a verbal dispute that turned into an alleged physical assault. The victim was left semi-conscious from being hit in the head multiple times. The suspect was located and placed under arrest at a residence in Lexington Park on Circle Drive. He was charged with first and second degree assault.The charges of first and second degree assault are serious and can come with consequences that will forever change your life. If you have been charged with assault in the state of Maryland, you will need representation by an experienced assault crime defense attorney. The criminal defense attorneys at the firm of Alpert Schreyer have the resources and experience needed to build an aggressive defense, and will seek the best possible outcome in your individual case. Call (800) 489-1577 for a confidential discussion of your case.
]]>As reported by Star983.com, a Calvert County deputy observed a subject stopped at a red light allegedly inhaling a substance from a glass smoking device. The observation occurred at 5:28 p.m. The Calvert County deputy was in the process of conducting seat belt enforcement at southbound Maryland Route 4 and West Dares Beach Road. After a traffic stop was made, both the driver, age 20, from Huntingtown and a passenger, age 19, from Chesapeake Beach were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana (amount less than 10 grams) and use of drug paraphernalia.
In a separate incident, a deputy witnessed a man in Solomon’s Roy Rogers restaurant who was allegedly having trouble maintaining balance and stumbling in an attempt to get up from his seat. The deputy made contact with the subject, age 28, suspecting he was under the influence. The man was reportedly discovered by the arresting officer to be in possession of illegal drugs. The man was placed under arrest and charged with possession of heroin and the use of drug paraphernalia; a folded piece of paper used to store the heroin.
]]> The Calvert County criminal defense attorneys at the firm of Alpert Schreyer believe that everyone who is arrested and charged with a drug crime deserves a fair trial, to have his or her rights protected, and to protect his or her future. If you have been charged with committing a drug crime in Southern Maryland, don’t go it alone. Contact one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys by calling (800) 489-1577. We offer a free case evaluation. ]]>Detectives reportedly observed a male suspect, age 30, from Mechanicsville distribute tablets to another male, age 17, in a local business’ parking lot. The Oxycodone tablets that were allegedly exchanged along with the money were recovered, as was a prescription that had been altered. The subject who distributed the tablets was arrested and charged. Charges are pending against the male juvenile who received the tablets during the transaction.
A Piney Point area traffic stop was conducted by Captain Daniel Alioto, who was off duty at the time, and contact was made with the driver. Captain Alioto detected the odor of burnt marijuana. A vehicle search uncovered a smoking device, an amount of marijuana, and several oxycodone tablets. The suspect was charged with drug possession upon the arrival of the Vice Narcotics Support Team Deputy.
]]> Being charged with a drug crime in Maryland can result in serious consequences that can impact an individual’s personal relationships as well as his or her ability to find employment for years to come. In a drug case, the prosecution will often try for the maximum penalties. If you are facing drug charges in the state of Maryland, you will need aggressive legal representation. The drug crime defense attorneys at the firm of Alpert Schreyer have the experience and the resources needed and will build an aggressive defense in order to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Call us at (800) 489-1577 to discuss the details of your case in confidence.]]>The incident occurred at the 5500 block of Hole Shot Place in Pomfret. The homeowner was able to provide officers who responded to the scene of the attempted theft a detailed description of the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle. An officer was able to locate the vehicle, make a positive identification, and conduct a traffic stop. A 25-year-old Waldorf resident was driving the car, and both the man who had broken into the victim’s truck and the man’s car were positively identified.
]]> Officers also were able to recover evidence that linked the alleged thief with the crime scene. The Waldorf man was arrested and charged with attempted theft.At the firm of Alpert Schreyer, our Charles County theft defense lawyers want you to know that if you have been accused of committing a crime, your Constitutional rights do not disappear after the charges have been filed against you. You deserve to have your rights protected, and you deserve a fair trial and an aggressive defense. Our attorneys are former prosecutors who understand how the other side thinks. We know the courts, the prosecutors, and the judges in Southern Maryland well and can offer you competent, aggressive legal representation. Please call (800) 489-1577 or complete our confidential online consultation form.
]]>The County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest of a man by the Warrant/Fugitive Division on four indictments of robbery with a deadly weapon and other related charges.
The robbery charges stemmed from four indictments that occurred in 2002 and for a failure-to- appear charge issued two years later. The cold case investigation led officers to Belmont Street in Washington D.C. They were assisted in making their arrest by Metro Washington Police officers.
Prince George’s County Sheriff’s deputies arrested another burglary suspect, closing five warrants. The arrest was for first degree burglary. The man placed under arrest allegedly broke into a home in the 6800 block of Middlefield Terrace in Fort Washington in 2013 on January 28, stealing various items.
]]> Prince George’s Sheriff’s deputies found the man at a residence on 28th Avenue in Temple Hills. He attempted to flee from deputies and was apprehended. He was taken to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections and charged with the following:Sheriff’s deputies notified detectives of the arrest.
The Prince George’s County criminal defense lawyers at the firm of Alpert Schreyer firmly believe that everyone deserves to have his or her rights protected. Your constitutional rights do not disappear after an arrest. All who are accused of committing a crime deserve a fair trial and an aggressive defense. If you have been accused of committing theft crimes in southern Maryland, contact one of our experienced attorneys by calling (866) 444-6363. We offer a free confidential consultation.
]]>The vehicle was spotted in Waldorf near McKendree Road on U.S. 301. When the officer attempted to pull the car over, the female driver would not stop, so officers continued pursuit of the Honda to Prince George’s County to the Brandywine Crossing Shopping Center where they were able to force the vehicle to stop. A man tried to get away on foot but was apprehended by officers. The woman driver stayed in the car and was arrested at the scene.
Diane Richardson, Charles County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, said the incident began at 11:10 a.m. when officers arrived at the scene of the robbery. She added that in the pursuit of the robbery suspects no one was injured. The man, age 27, and the woman, age 19, were charged with armed robbery. The driver was also cited with various traffic violations.
]]> According to Richardson, the detailed descriptions of the vehicle and the suspect provided by the victim and witnesses to the alleged crime along with excellent, competent police work led to the outcome.At the firm of Alpert Schreyer, our Southern Maryland criminal defense attorneys believe that all who have been accused of committing crimes in the state of Maryland deserve to have their rights protected, deserve a fair trial, and deserve the opportunity to protect their future. If you have been charged with committing a crime, you have no time to waste. You will need the help of an experienced attorney who will pursue the best possible outcome for you. Call (866) 444-6363 for a confidential consultation.
]]>According to charging documents, the relationship began in 2010 when the teacher asked the victim if he would send her naked pictures of himself. If he would do so, she would send pictures of herself to the student. Police acted on an anonymous tip. Once the allegation was made, the spokesman for Anne Arundel County Public Schools said the teacher was removed from the classroom.
]]> The Broadneck High School principal, in a statement to the news media after the arrest took place, said that he was sad that this situation could cast a shadow on the school when invaluable work is going on every day on the part of students, teachers, staff, and parents. Broadneck High is part of a community who support students in their efforts to achieve excellence.The teacher, who is still charged with a misdemeanor, has resigned from her position.
The Anne Arundel criminal defense lawyers at the firm of Alpert Schreyer understand the need for aggressive legal representation of those accused of sex crimes. Our legal team of experienced sex crime defense attorneys can create an aggressive defense for you and achieve the best possible outcome in your individual case. Your professional and personal reputations are at stake. Call us at (866) 444-6363 for a private consultation at no cost to you.
The first reported contact between the two was a punch to the face. Then the alleged stabbing occurred. The victim was able to save his life only by taking the knife away from his assailant and fleeing.
At the firm of Alpert Schreyer, our Montgomery County criminal defense attorneys know how serious the charges of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and reckless endangerment can be. If you have been charged with a serious crime in Maryland, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Alpert Schreyer. Our years of trial expertise will allow us to aggressively defend you in order to gain the best possible results in your case. Call (866) 444-6363 for a confidential case evaluation.
]]>A Mechanicsville area resident, age 22, was behind the wheel of a 1996 Dodge Intrepid on April 28 when the vehicle veered off the road and crashed into two utility poles. The crash occurred at 2:26 a.m. The driver’s 23-year-old passenger, riding in the front seat, also from Mechanicsville, died from the injuries she received. The driver and an additional passenger were thrown from the vehicle, found conscious nearby and were transported to a local hospital.
The criminal charge of negligent manslaughter was not, according to Laura Caspar, St. Mary’s Assistant State’s Attorney, due to the presence of alcohol in her blood. The speed the car was traveling was instead the basis of the criminal charge. Criminally negligent manslaughter is a misdemeanor version of Maryland’s felony vehicular manslaughter law.
]]> Criminally negligent manslaughter is a charge more targeted at this particular type of situation, according to Caspar. The damages to the Dodge Intrepid indicated that the vehicle was traveling at approximately 63 miles per hour in a 40-mile-per-hour speed zone when the driver lost control.The driver has also been accused of negligence in a wrongful death lawsuit and $250,000 in damages is being sought on behalf of the victim’s two-year-old daughter.
The skilled, experienced St. Mary’s County criminal defense lawyers at the firm of Alpert Schreyer have a successful record of obtaining the best possible outcomes for our clients who have been involved with both non-felony and felony crimes. If you have been charged with criminally negligent manslaughter in the state of Maryland, call us today. You have no time to waste.
]]>The initial investigation revealed that the victim had been jumped from the rear and hit with a metal object that may have been a pipe. The suspects stole $700 cash from the beating victim, took some other items and then fled the scene, Kappatos Way at Hardesty Road in Sunderland.
]]> Units from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police responded as did Emergency Services. The victim was transported by Maryland State Police Aviation Division. He was flown to the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Baltimore Shock Trauma.According to the victim, there was a big Dodge pick-up truck at the scene, as well as a silver car of unknown make or model. The victim was able to provide a detailed description of his alleged assailants during the preliminary investigation. That helped police to locate the suspects who later were positively identified.
At the firm of Alpert Schreyer, our Calvert County criminal defense attorneys believe that everyone, regardless of his or her past, deserves to have his or her rights protected. If you have been charged with robbery or assault, contact one of our experienced defense attorneys who can aggressively prepare a defense in order to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Call (800) 489-1577 or complete our online contact form.
]]>The new bill restricts firearms access for the mentally ill, bans 45 types of assault rifles, and limits gun magazine capacity to ten. Those who purchase handguns will be required to submit fingerprints to the state police, making Maryland the first state in almost 20 years to pass such a requirement. Fingerprints are required in only five other states: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Hawaii.
Governor O’Malley said the bill’s success demonstrated that the majority of Maryland’s citizens support reducing gun violence through advancing legislation that will save lives.
]]> Opponents of the bill have for the most part come from rural areas of the state, while proponents are from urban areas. Opponents argued that the bill strips citizens of their Second Amendment rights, while proponents believe the requirement to be finger printed will help to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Others will be reluctant to purchase guns for those not permitted to own them.Those individuals who have been involuntarily committed to mental health care facilities will not be permitted to purchase a gun.
At the firm of Alpert Schreyer, our Maryland criminal defense attorneys believe that if you are facing criminal charges, including crimes allegedly committed while in possession of a gun, you deserve a fair trial and to have your Constitutional rights protected. If you have been charged with committing a crime, call us at (866) 444-6363 to schedule a confidential consultation.
]]>All of the most significant provisions of the version passed by the Senate were kept intact. Those include the following:
Delegates from both parties pointed to the divide on the issue between rural and urban areas of the state. Suburban and urban delegates were overwhelmingly in support, while delegates from rural areas like Western Maryland opposed the bill.
The Maryland criminal defense attorneys at the firm of Alpert Schreyer believe all who are charged with committing a crime—even a crime allegedly committed with a gun—deserve an aggressive defense and a fair trial. If you have been charged with commission of a crime while in possession of a gun, call our office at (866) 444-6363 for a confidential case evaluation.
]]>Sheriff Evans told reporters that the man who feared for his life was a retired, Washington D.C. police officer himself. According to the preliminary investigation by the Calvert Investigative Team (CIT) the home owner was inside his home at the time and heard a loud knock or banging on his front door. Before opening the door, the resident found his handgun. When he opened the door, he saw two people. Both acted aggressively and made threatening statements. One had a weapon, which he proceeded to brandish. The resident was afraid of losing his life, so he shot at the suspects. One was hit and fell dead near the home’s driveway. The other suspect left the scene of the incident in a vehicle.
Calvert County Sheriff Evans believes the fatal shots were fired in self-defense because the resident feared for his life, and the investigation into the incident in continuing.
The Calvert County criminal defense lawyers at Alpert Schreyer understand the seriousness of charges such as armed robbery. If you have been charged with a crime in Maryland, you should not face the charge alone. Contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys. We will protect your legal rights and achieve the best possible outcome for your future. Call (800) 489-1577 for a private consultation.
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