Many people create an online persona to gain a following on social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. Oftentimes this includes posting videos of various acts and events online. These videos may seem funny to some and may receive thousands of "likes," but others may be offended to the point where criminal charges are filed.
Baltimore man known as 'Plainpotatoess' faces criminal charges
Not all direct sales in Maryland are illegal pyramid schemes
It may seem like everyone these days is involved in some sort of direct sales company, also known as multi-level marketing. While this may not be so bad, often, the companies that make these products encourage and incentivize their independent consultants to recruit others to sell the products. While being asked by an acquaintance to "join their team" with "unlimited earning potential" may be annoying to some and too good to be true to others, it is important to note that doing so is not necessarily illegal. That is because there is a big difference between lawful MLMs and illegal pyramid schemes.
Is marijuana possession illegal in Maryland?
Recreational marijuana use is now legal in some states in the nation, but it is still technically against the law in Maryland. However, in 2014 a law was passed in Maryland that made possessing under 10 grams of the drug merely a civil offense rather than a criminal one. A first-time violation of this law will result in a $100 fine. A second violation of this law will result in a $250 fine. Subsequent violations of this law will result in a $500 fine. If a person is under age 21 or if it is the third time they have violated this law, they will be assessed for substance abuse disorder and they may be ordered to attend a drug education program.
When can a criminal record be expunged in Maryland?
One of the unfortunate consequences of being charged with or convicted of a crime in Maryland is the fact that you will incur a criminal record that is accessible to the public. For example, a potential employer or landlord might run a criminal background check, see that you have been convicted of a crime and thus might choose not to hire you or rent a home to you. This can make life difficult, even after you have paid your debt to society.
"Revenge porn" is now illegal per Maryland extortion laws
With the advent of the Internet came the advent of crimes associated with it. While one may think mainly of white-collar crimes, such as identity theft, when it comes to Internet crimes, there are other ways a person could use the Internet to commit a crime. Extortion is one of these crimes, and Maryland law has recently expanded the scope of what acts could fall under extortion laws.
A domestic assault case can hurt a parent's custody chances
Domestic assault charges will usually require an assertive criminal defense for a number of reasons. Like any criminal case, even a misdemeanor domestic assault charge can land a person in jail and most certainly will result on probation, fines, fees and other penalties. Moreover, convictions for crimes related to domestic violence can affect people in other ways, about which they might not even think at the time.
Domestic violence comes in many different forms
Domestic violence includes a lot more than just physical violence. For individuals facing domestic assault accusations, allegations and possible criminal charges, it is important to be familiar with the different types of domestic abuse and the options available when facing allegations of domestic violence.
Montgomery County crime down but sex offenses up
Accused individuals who have been caught up in the criminal justice system should be familiar with how the process works. Overall crime is down in Montgomery County by 48 percent, however, some categories of crime, including some violent crimes, have increased. Murders and assaults are up by a small amount, while sexual assaults are up by 53 percent. The local police chief referred to the increase in sex offenses as alarming.
A journey through the criminal justice process
An overview of the criminal justice process and its components can help an accused individual better navigate the process. There are three primary institutions that comprise the criminal justice system including law enforcement, the court system and the corrections system. It is helpful to understand a little about what each does.
What is a "plea bargain"?
Plea bargaining is important to understand because it is a significant part of the criminal justice system. For an accused individual facing criminal charges, and a potential plea bargain, there are likely many important questions that come up that need to be answered.
