Forty years ago today I walked into a courtroom in Upper Marlboro, Maryland with my mentor, Alan J. Goldstein. I had just gotten back from my honeymoon in the Greek Islands, completely jet lagged and sat down at counsel table. Our client was charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Alan,…
I recently handled a sentencing for a client of mine for driving while impaired (DWI). Under Maryland law, one year of ignition interlock is required if you are convicted of the higher offense, driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI). However, the relevant statutes do not require it for…
On May 5, 2023, the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys’ Association is holding its 19th Annual Advanced DUI Defense Seminar at the Doubletree Hotel in Linthicum, Maryland. The seminar, organized and run by Leonard R. Stamm in conjunction with the MCDAA will feature presentations by experienced lawyers as well as an…
Today, August 2, 2022, I read an op ed in the Washington Post by an Indian woman, Aaditi Lele, who recently became a US citizen who is a student at Vanderbilt University. It is worth sharing. Less than two months ago, I took the oath of naturalization to become the first…
On March 21, 2022, the Director of the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division notified the State’s Attorney co-ordinator for Maryland that the MSP lab would cease doing blood alcohol testing because the accrediting agency determined their testing procedure violated scientific requirements for blood alcohol testing. Read the letter here.…
Every state prohibits drunk driving. Every state also acknowledges that it is legal to drink alcohol and then drive if the alcohol consumed does not impair one’s abilities. The amount of alcohol that a person can drink in an evening and be safely under the legal limit varies from person…
Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled that the injunctions against enforcement of Trump’s travel ban, that had been upheld by the Fourth and Ninth Circuits would be upheld in part and reversed in part. Trump claimed this was a victory, but a careful reading of the majority opinion reveals otherwise. The…
Last week, on March 22 and 23, 2017, the National College for DUI Defense and Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association successfully concluded their jointly sponsored annual Mastering Scientific Evidence seminar in New Orleans. Speakers included Robert Hirschhorn on Winning Voir Dire in Breath, Blood & Accident Cases, Amber Spurlock on Mining for…
The National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) just wrapped up their annual Las Vegas seminar. As usual, it was well attended and the presentations were very informative. The conference featured presentations on Thursday, September 22, on cross-examination by Jim Nesci; accident…
The National College for DUI Defense (www.ncdd.com) just completed its annual summer session held in Cambridge Massachusetts. The session featured large lectures, small lectures, breakouts, and small elective seminars. Topics covered included Cross-Examination of the Arresting Officer by Marj Russell of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer’s College; Cross-Examination break out; Handling the…