Child Abuse – What Effect Does a Severe Severe Injury Have on the Charge?
The distinction in first and second degree child abuse rests on the severity of harm to the child victim. Experienced criminal defense lawyers Attorney Eric T. Kirk in Baltimore are aware the statutory definition of severe physical injury includes: brain injury starvation disfigurement, and the loss or impairment of a body part. Corporeal punishment, may, in... Read more »
What is the Difference Between Child Abuse and Child Neglect?
Seasoned criminal defense lawyers Attorney Eric T. Kirk in Baltimore have successfully argued that, although either form of conduct is reprehensible, their client’s actions with respect to their children, or wards, does not constitute abuse, but rather neglect. Neglect is defined as a willful failure to provide for the needs of the child, so that a... Read more »
Threatening and Attempting to Burn under Maryland Law
Criminal Defense attorneys in Baltimore know that a written of verbal threat to burn a structure or set off a bomb, is treated seriously, carrying a penalty of 10 years in prison. Baltimore Criminal Defense attorneys Attorney Eric T. Kirk has also seen that “attempt” has a specific definition under the arson law – placing the... Read more »
Is Burning with Intent to Defraud Different Than Arson?
These are separate crimes, and the difference is in then intent of the perpetrator. Arson requires that the criminal act willfully and maliciously in setting something ablaze. Baltimore Criminal Defense attorneys Attorney Eric T. Kirk know well that if an alleged criminal does not act with the necessary frame of mind, they may escape conviction. Maryland law... Read more »
Is Malicious Burning Different from Arson In Maryland?
The crime of arson encompasses the burning of dwelling and structures. Criminal defense lawyers Attorney Eric T. Kirk in Baltimore have successfully argued that a different crime is involved when the burned item is personalty. Maryland law prohibits the willful burning of the personal property of another. If the property is valued at more than 1,000 the... Read more »
Smuggling Drugs to Baltimore Inmates.
It comes as surprise to some to hear that 4 adults could overdose on a controlled and dangerous substance -while in prison. The prevalence of drugs in correctional facilities is well documented. A few years ago, 13 female Baltimore City Detention Center correctional employees were indicted on federal charges, including smuggling drugs and cell phones to... Read more »
Is Identity Theft Also Considered A Crime In Baltimore, MD?
Not surprisingly, it is a crime to obtain the personal identifying information of another with the purpose of obtaining something of value in the name of that other person. Criminal defense attorneys Attorney Eric T. Kirk in Baltimore have seen that personal identifying information is defined very broadly, and includes things like: where you work and... Read more »
Is Selling Fake IDs Considered a Crime In Baltimore?
It’s a safe bet that everyone thinks you can get in trouble for having a fake ID, but is dealing in them really criminal? Some well-known Baltimore criminal defense attorneys Attorney Eric T. Kirk may well have had a fake ID in high school or college. It might seem to some like a right of passage,... Read more »
What Does It Mean to Be A Fugitive From Justice ?
Maryland law defines a fugitive as someone for whom a felony arrest warrant has been issued. That may be a slightly different definition than the one utilized on some TV shows. Baltimore criminal defense lawyers like Attorney Eric T. Kirk have defended those accused of “harboring” a fugitive. The law defines “harboring” as hiding, housing, or giving... Read more »
Is an Escape Punishable Under Maryland Law?
Yes, they do put you back in jail -for longer. The experienced Baltimore criminal defense lawyer Attorney Eric T. Kirk knows the additional penalties for the offense of escape. They also know that: If convicted, you’ve got to do time, as no portion of a sentence for escape can be suspended and a sentence for escape must be made... Read more »
Is It Possible for you Kidnap Your Own Child?
Most people know what kidnapping is. Some Baltimore criminal defense lawyers are aware of an important exception to the charge: It does not apply to the act of a parent is taking his or her minor child outside the state. The penalty for kidnapping can be harsh – 30 years. Maryland law punishes the abducting or... Read more »
How Does The State Prove Kidnapping?
Asportation, or the unlawful carrying away of the victim, is an essential element of the crime of kidnapping. The experienced Baltimore criminal defense attorney knows that unlawfully confining a person, without more, is false imprisonment, not kidnapping1. The distance carried away does not matter. Even a small distance will suffice. A problem arises when aggressive,... Read more »
