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…
Articles Posted in Criminal justice news
My thoughts on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health
Here are a few thoughts on our future after Dobbs. 1. I have always viewed Roe v. Wade as a compromise – an attempt to settle the dispute between those who favor and oppose choice. It was the middle position, giving preference to choice during the first trimester, and against…
MSP Lab Acknowledges Testing Deemed Unacceptable By Accrediting Agency
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.…
Maryland Court of Appeals agrees to decide 20 minute issue
Earlier this week, the Maryland Court of Appeals agreed to hear the case of Dejarnette v. State. In Dejarnette, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals held that a violation of the requirement that officers observe a defendant for 20 minutes before a breath test would only go to the weight…
Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 – Governor Hogan’s veto overridden
Last week both houses of the Maryland legislature overrode Governor Hogan’s veto and passed the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2001. The Act will improve the criminal justice system in Maryland a number of ways: Set stricter standards for use of force by police; Limit the use of “no knock”…
Help – I’ve been referred to the Medical Advisory Board!
We have noticed lately what seems like an extraordinary number of referrals to the MAB. When anyone suspects that a driver may have a physical or mental condition that would affect their ability to drive, he or she may refer that person to the Medical Advisory Board (MAB) of the…
November 11, 2020 Veterans Day
On this Veteran’s Day we pay tribute to the over 17 million veterans in the US today. These are men and women who have personally sacrificed to preserve our freedoms, and the great experiment in republican democracy that has survived for over 225 years since the adoption of the US…
In Memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
As you all know by now Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away Friday night on erev (the evening of) Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). According to Jewish tradition, a person who passes on Rosh Hashanah is considered a “tzadik” – a revered person. The “Notorious RBG” as she came…
DACA is here to stay for the time being says the Supreme Court
Today the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision rejecting the Trump administration’s effort to get rid of DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Robert’s opinion is worth a read. But here’s my summary of the main points. Administrative action must be supported by a reason at the time the…
Michael Stamm joins Goldstein & Stamm, P.A. as a new associate attorney
Goldstein & Stamm, P.A. is pleased to welcome Michael Stamm to the firm as a new associate attorney. Michael Stamm graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 2017. While there he interned at public defender offices in Upper Marlboro and Baltimore, Maryland and Fairbanks, Alaska. He worked as an Executive…