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By Julia Cole Most Americans have heard the phrase, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” But a recent California Supreme Court ruling has established that a person’s silence may also be used against them. According to ThinkProgress, in the case of People vs. Tom, Richard Tom was charged with vehicular manslaughter after allegedly driving well over the speed limit and crashing into a car carrying a woman and her two children. The woman’s eight-year-old daughter was killed and her 10-year-old was taken to the hospital to be treated for serious injuries. Shortly after the crash, Tom was placed in the back of a police car and was not formally arrested and advised of his rights until much later in the day. Tom was eventually convicted of felony manslaughter and sentenced to seven years in…

Written by Tracy Manzer DUI charges are common, but that doesn’t lessen the impact they have on people’s personal lives and professional careers. Take, for example, the announcement made Monday by Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker. Tucker, who was charged earlier this year with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol limit (BAC) of 0.20 or greater, was sentenced to three days in jail and 11 days of home detention as part of a negotiated plea agreement. Tucker was stopped by an officer for an alleged traffic violation in Arizona last May, but cited for DUI. His BAC measured .222, according to media reports. Though the sentence may seem extreme to some, Tucker’s attorneys were able to negotiate better terms in exchange for his guilty plea. He had faced the possibility of 45 days in jail. Presumably his willingness to install an ignition interlock device in his car for…

Written by Staff Writer A DUI checkpoint on Route 33 in Maryland resulted in two arrests this weekend, according to media reports. The checkpoint included officers from the state police and the Talbot County Sheriff's Office and took place between 9 and 11 p.m. Friday. A total of 148 vehicles were stopped at the checkpoint, resulting in the two arrests. DUI checkpoints like these can become increasingly common during the summer months, especially on or before the dates of certain holidays and festivals. Though many assume checkpoints are effective, a skilled criminal defense attorney will know that policies and procedures governing checkpoints can be easily violated and that arrests that result from such events can be legally challenged. Nonetheless, publication of checkpoint results, like the one held last weekend, do serve as a valuable reminder to us all that DUI/DWI charges are not to be taken lightly in Maryland. It’s…