Recent Blog Posts

Update Cecil County Judges-Win Primary!!!

C. Thomas Brown — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:50:00 GMT

Judge Baynes and Judge Murry won both the Republican and Democratic primaries and will not have any opposition in the November general election. This is good news for all who practice law in Cecil county, Maryland!!

The Cecil County, Maryland Circuit Court bench is almost complete with the recent appointment of Jane Murray as the newest Associate Judge. Due to the passing of Judge Richard Eli Jackson and the retirements of Judge Dexter M. Thompson, Jr. and Judge O. Robert Lidums, we now have three new Circuit Court judges. Judge Murray joins now Administrative Judge V. Michael Whelan, now our most senior judge, and Judge Keith A. Baynes, also recently appointed. Judge Whelan was recently elected to a 15 year term.

Maryland judges are appointed by the Governor and Circuit Court appointees must then stand for election to a 15 year term. Judge Baynes and Judge Murray must now stand for election in the 2012 general election and it is anticipated to be a spirited process as one of our local Delegates is expected to mount a challenge for one of the positions. Other lawyers may join in the fray for these judicial seats with lucrative salaries and pension benefits, so stand by for updates.

Cecil County Judges Win Election

C. Thomas Brown — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:01:00 GMT

Judge Keith A. Baynes and Judge Jane C. Murray won both the Republican and Democratic primaries and will not face any opposition in the November general election. Both will now serve a 15 year term in the Circuit Court for Cecil County, MD. This is good news for all who practice law in Cecil County, MD!!!

Cecil County Illegal Transporting Cigarettes I-95

C. Thomas Brown — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:43:00 GMT

My office has seen a recent flurry of trafic stops on I-95 in Cecil County, MD resulting in charges of illegally transporting untaxed cigarettes through Maryland. The nature of these traffic stops are identical to the suspect traffic stops involving illegal drugs including the use of drug dogs and allegations that the police officer detected the smell of marihauna to justify the search of the vehicle. Many of the searches are based upon allegations of consent making it more important to know your rights regarding consenting to these searches.

These cases involve potential jail and large fines and issues regarding the stop and search of the vehicle are critical in obtaining a result of no incarceration and also the possibility of not having a conviction on your record. However, our local prosecutors are taking these cases very seriously due to pressure from the police, taxing authorities and claims that the proceeds are being used to fund terrorism. If you or a friend have been charged with these offenses, contact Cecil County criminal defense lawyer C. Thomas Brown to discuss your case.

Cecil County Abortion Murder Charges Dismissed-Brigham

C. Thomas Brown — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:55:00 GMT

Yesterday eleven murder charges were dismissed against my client, Dr. Steven Brigham, a physician charged with murder for performing abortions in Elkton, Cecil County, MD. After Dr. Brigham was indicted for murder for performing these abortions, my co-counsel, Nancy Forster and I have been arguing in motions filed with the court that Maryland lacked jurisdiction, that the prosecution was improperly based upon a fetal homicide statute (enacted for "Laci Peterson" situations) to prosecute our client, that the prosecution was barred due to immunity exceptions in the statute for physicians performing abortions and that such a prosecution unlawfully interferred with a woman's right to choose an abortion. At the heart of the argument was our contention that in Maryland the treating physician alone determines viability pursuant to the facts of each individual case and can not be prosecuted when a prosecutor may disagree with that decision. It was our contention that none of the fetuses involved in these charges were viable. All were between 20 and 23 weeks gestation, except for the sole procedure at 24 weeks which was necessary because the pregnancy was posing a serious threat to the life of the woman.

Yesterday, prior to a hearing scheduled for later in the month on our motion to dismiss the indictment, the prosecution dismissed all charges. This was not only a great victory for our client but also a victory for everyone that believes in a woman's right to choose and for those physicians that are willing to support those women and that cause.

Tougher DUI Sentences in Cecil County, Maryland

C. Thomas Brown — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:21:00 GMT

With the recent appointment of new judges coupled with the election of a new State's Attorney in Cecil County, MD, sentences for DUI/DWI have dramatically changed with harsher outcomes. First offender defendants have become accustomed to a Probation Before Judgment ("PBJ") disposition with a fine only with no probation..but take notice..that is no longer the norm. Supervised probation, lengthy treatment programs and incarceration are in play in every case.

Upon conviction, the local judges in Elkton, MD uniformly require supervised probation and the State opposes PBJ until the completion of probation and an alcohol program. Repeat offenders or even first offenders involved in an accident or other aggravating circumstances should expect much harsher treatment by the Courts.

If you have been charged with DUI/DWI you need an experienced and aggressive criminal lawyer Cecil County DUI defense lawyer. Now is not the time to hire just any lawyer when your employment, license and freedom are in jeopardy. Please call or email and I will be happy to discuss your situation.

Cecil County Judicial Election

C. Thomas Brown — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:52:00 GMT

The new face of the Cecil County Circuit Court began earlier this month when the Honorable Michael Whalen defeated his sole opponent in both the Republican and Democratic primaries. Judge Whalen, who was appointed by Governor O'Malley and strongly supported by the local Cecil County Bar, will be on only name on the November ballot when he will be formally elected to a 15 year term. However, the term will be shortened due to the Maryland law that mandates 70 as the mandatory retirement age for judges. Judge Whalen filled the vacancy created by the recent retirement of the Honorable Dexter M. Thompson, Jr.

Speaking of mandatory retirement, the Honorable O. Robert Lidums hits that magic age at the end of the month creating another vacancy on the Court. It is anticipated that Judge Lidums will continue to sit as a retired judge for as many days as allowed by law and will continue as the judge for Pre-Trial Conferences for jury demands from the District Court.The vacancy created by the passing of the Honorable Richard Eli Jackson remains unfilled and it is anyone's guess when and whom Governor O'Malley will appoint judges for the two vacancies. The Governor has issued an Executive Order regarding the procedures to be followed in filling these vacancies and he has the option pursuant to that order to appoint from previously qualified candidates or seek additional names form interested lawyers.

The two new appointees will have to run for election in the November, 2012 general election and in my humble opinion it will be a spirited affair with several challenger..Stay tuned as the face of the bench for the Circuit Court for Cecal County, Maryland continues to change.

Cecil County Judges

C. Thomas Brown — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 03:30:00 GMT

The landscape for criminal defense lawyers and criminal defendants in Cecil County, Maryland is about to dramatically change due to the recent retirement of the Honorable Dexter M. Thompson, Jr. With the Honorable O. Robert Lidums facing mandatory retirement due to age effective October, 2010, the Cecil County Circuit Court will have two new faces in the near future.

The rumor mill was rampant with potential candidates and February 8, 2010 the 5 applicants were announced . Their applications were forwarded to the Judicial Nominating Commission for District 2, that is composed of lawyers and non-lawyers previously appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley. The JNC considered comments from the various bar associations and any other interested persons who wrote to the Commission with comments and 4 applicants were sent to Gov. O'Malley for the appointment. Of note, the applicant that was omitted from consideration was the State's Attorney for Cecil County!! The successful candidate will then have to run for election in the 2010 general election and the winner will serve for 15 years. Any lawyer may run in the general election, even if the lawyer did not initially apply for the appointment. The rumor mill has it that a long time Elkton lawyer that did not apply plans to run against the eventual appointee in the general election!! And he may be the favorite to win!! So be prepared for an interesting September primary.

This appointment is very important to all citizens of the County and I urge everyone to become involved so that your voices are heard. Judges effect you and your families lives and you have a say in the governor's appointment and the ultimate say in the general election. There is an ongoing movement to do away with judicial elections by arguing that the process is too political. Do not be misled by this reasoning.....nothing could be more political than appointing a political crony and supporter as a judge than the current system. More later.

Oxycodone/Roxicodone-Cecil County's Popular Street Drug

C. Thomas Brown — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:19:00 GMT

Roxicodone, a variation of Oxycodone, is fast becoming Cecil County's most popular street drug . Oxycodone is a narcotic prescribed to relieve pain and is twice as potent as morphine. There are many variations of Oxycodone products on the market, but OxyContin and Roxicodone, in 15mg and 30mg tablets, seem to be used and abused most frequently in Cecil County.

The use of these drugs takes many forms and it is reportedly crushed and then snorted or injected to relieve pain, alleviate withdrawal symptoms and to gain euphoric effects. As prescribed, OxyContin sell for $4.00 per tablet and depending on the market, the street value is $1.00 per milligram, making a 40 mg. tablet $40. Roxicodone ("Roxys") reportedly sell for $15-$20 for a 30mg tablet in Cecil County, MD.

If you have been charged with possession or sale of Roxicodone/Oxycondone, call Elkton drug defense lawyer, C. Thomas Brown.

Cecil County Jail-Getting Out-Bail

C. Thomas Brown — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:37:00 GMT

The Cecil County Detention Center , (CCDC) is a county detention facility located at 500 Landing Lane, Elkton, MD 21921. It has two components-"Jailside", where individuals are held pre-trial and after sentencing and the Community Adult Rehabilitation Center (CARC), that houses work-release prisoners.

Individuals are held pre-trial when bond has not been posted and also when awaiting an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner or a District or Circuit Judge. Bail may be posted in cash, real property located in Maryland or through a corporate bonding company. Most bonds are posted through a corporate bonding company, more commonly known as a bail bondsman.

I refer my clients to Elkton based Back on Your Block for bail bonds. This company has provided my clients with fast professional service with the resources to write bail bonds for out of state individuals charged with serious offenses, such as drug crimes .

If you need assistance with pre-trial release issues , call Elkton based criminal lawyer, C. Thomas Brown.

I-95 Drug Arrests

C. Thomas Brown — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:52:00 GMT

The Maryland State Police's Pro Active Enforcement Team continues out in force with drug interdiction stops on I-95 in Cecil County,MD

Most of these "profile" stops are for minor speed violations, unsafe lane changes and following too close. The basis for the search of the vehicle is usually the odor of marjuana due to a K-9 alert or the officers sense of smell. It is incredible how some officers can smell marijuana in a heat sealed package wrapped in a container!! They better be careful or they won't need the dogs!!

To keys to defending many of these cases are the video of the stop, the audio recordings of the stop, the delay in processing the stop and the dog records. A recent "pro-police" decision by the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland makes the challenge of these stops even more difficult and anyone charged with this type of offense needs an experienced attorney for these cases. If you or a loved has been stopped and charged with a drug crime:
Call an experienced Cecil County drug defense lawyer today.

Former Assistant State's Attorney C. Thomas Brown