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Written By Tracy Manzer, Senior Editor In a nod to public health practices, New York may become the first state in the nation to prohibit the use of condoms as evidence in prostitution cases, according to the Washington Post. The push for the law stems in part from the estimated millions that New York City spends every year in the distribution of free condoms to combat sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, and to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The practice of law enforcement using the possession of condoms, specifically multiple condoms, has come under fire across the nation, with prosecutors in Brooklyn and Nassau County, as well as San Francisco, Calif., announcing their offices will no longer use condoms as evidence in prostitution allegations. The Washington Post quotes Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice as determining the so-called benefits of using condoms as evidence fail to outweigh the benefits of public…

The career of a dedicated Maryland criminal lawyer is based upon defending people who have been accused of a variety of criminal charges. Oftentimes, individuals who are confronted by police are so flustered that they inadvertently waive many of their constitutional rights, even if they have not broken the law. To combat against this, as well as encourage people to utilize their rights, the Cato Institute has produced a short film, about 38 minutes long, entitled, “Ten Rules for Dealing with the Police.” The film highlights how easily people can unintentionally forgo constitutional protections during a confrontation with police and though the Institute is based in Washington, DC, the material covered in the film applies to jurisdictions throughout the United States, including Maryland. The film portrays a number of hypothetical situations in which ordinary people who have not committed any illegal act may unintentionally waive their rights to counsel. One…

From poverty to privilege, drug abuse is indiscriminate in wreaking havoc on the professional and personal lives of those it clutches. Substance addiction is a tragedy that extends across all socio-economic levels and is not attributable to a certain type of person – realities that reflect why substance abuse and addiction can be so pervasive. Moreover, ramifications of substance abuse can manifest on a variety of levels, including physical, mental, financial, legal, and social consequences. Often times, such consequences can seem overwhelming and sometimes even insurmountable. However, finding recovery can be light at the end of a dark and desperate tunnel, offering many a precious second chance. Trey Radel, Republican Congressman representing Florida’s 19th district (aka the “Hip Hop Congressman”) has pledged to make just such a recovery from his scandalous bout with alcohol and drugs. On October 29th of last year, the Congressman was arrested in a sting operation…