Skip Scanning in Maryland: Why “I Wasn’t Stopped” Doesn’t Mean You Got Away With It
Not being stopped doesn’t mean no one noticed. How retailers build self-checkout cases, what license-plate readers can and can’t show, and how Maryland adds small thefts together.
A Parent’s Guide to Maryland E-Bike Laws: When Your Kid’s Bike Is Legally a Motorcycle
A machine sold as an “e-bike” may legally be a motorcycle or a moped. What makes one legal in Maryland, the B&A Trail rules, teen citations, impoundment, and who pays when someone gets hurt.
Why Personal Injury Lawyers Hire Experts—and Who Pays for Them
Medical records tell only part of the story. Maryland trial attorney Mandeep S. Chhabra on how experts prove causation, future care and lost earning capacity — and how those costs are actually handled.
An RX Won’t Save You From Arrest
A valid Xanax prescription doesn’t stop a Maryland DUI charge. A recent Baltimore County case, dismissed before trial, shows exactly why — and what actually matters when the medication was legal.
The 100 Deadliest Days End Monday. You’re on Their Radar.
Maryland passed 3,500 impaired-driving arrests this summer, with 27 agencies deployed through Labor Day weekend. What the enforcement data actually shows, what a stop looks like, and the 10-day MVA deadline most drivers miss.
Mandatory Minimum Sentences in Maryland: Which Crimes Carry Them, and Can They Be Reduced?
Firearms, repeat violent crimes, volume dealing, and a second DUI still carry mandatory minimums. What the judge cannot do — and the five ways a minimum is avoided.
Personal Injury Claims in Annapolis, Maryland: How They Work and What They Are Worth
Contributory negligence, the three-year deadline, the $965,000 cap, PIP — how an injury claim actually works in Anne Arundel County, and when to call a lawyer.
Your Jail Calls and Social Media Can Put You Back in Jail
A recorded jail call or a single post can undo a strong bail argument. Mandeep Chhabra on the evidence defendants create against themselves.
Insurance Fraud Charges in Maryland: Penalties and Defenses
Insurance fraud worth $300 or more is a felony with up to 15 years. What counts, how cases start, the penalties, and what to do if an investigator calls.
Maryland Vehicular Manslaughter and DUI Homicide Penalties
Maryland charges fatal crashes under several statutes, from criminal negligence to gross-negligence manslaughter. Penalties, license loss and defenses.
Montgomery County DUI: Courts, MVA Hearings and Your Defense
Two cases start the night of the arrest. Where your Montgomery County case will be heard, how the MVA hearing works, and what to do first.
The Fifth of July: I Got a DUI Over the 4th. Now What?
By 9:00 a.m. on the Monday after the holiday, the calls start. What to do — and what not to do — after a July 4th weekend DUI or DWI arrest in Maryland.
Three Sheets to the Wind: Maryland's Boating Under the Influence Laws, Explained
A perfect day on the Bay can end in criminal charges. BUI vs. BWI penalties, what Natural Resources Police look for, and the breath-test rule most Maryland boaters get wrong.
Sold as Legal, Seized as Evidence: The Maryland Hemp-THC Crackdown
"Federally compliant" is not the same as Maryland legal. Why certificates of analysis won't stop a search warrant — and what every Maryland retailer needs to know.
Arrested During Beach Week? Maryland Underage Drinking Charges Explained
Maryland's underage drinking laws carry real consequences — from fake ID misdemeanors to zero-tolerance DUI charges. What parents and teens need to know.
Mandeep Chhabra Named a 2026 Managing Partners Honoree by The Daily Record
One of 29 law firm leaders recognized statewide for leadership, vision, and community impact — rooted in responsibility and five decades of service in Annapolis.
Arrested Doesn't Mean Guilty: A Veteran Defense Attorney's Perspective
After decades in criminal defense, one of the most damaging misconceptions persists: if they were arrested, they must have done something. Here's why that's wrong.
Bye, Bye, Bye to Your DUI: How Maryland Expungement Actually Works
The 15-year rule no one is talking about. A plain-language guide to what's possible, what isn't, and why most Marylanders get DUI expungement wrong.
Maryland Law or April Fools? 6 Real Laws That Sound Completely Made Up
Think you can tell real Maryland law from an April Fools' joke? From illegal fortune telling to banning lions at the movies — these bizarre statutes are 100% real.
What Does Nolle Prosequi Mean in Maryland?
“Nolle prosequi” means the State dropped your charge — but it isn’t quite a dismissal. What it means for your record, bond, and expungement.
What Is a Stet Docket in Maryland?
A “stet” moves your charge to an inactive docket — not a conviction, not quite a dismissal. Here’s how it works.
Probation Before Judgment (PBJ), Explained
A PBJ lets you avoid a conviction on your record. Who qualifies, how it works, and why it’s so often the goal.
What Is a Body Attachment in Maryland?
A body attachment is a court order to bring you in — often over a missed payment or court date. What it means and what to do.
What Does “Commitment Pending Hearing” Mean?
It means you’re held until a bail review. What happens next — and how a lawyer can help you get released.
Maryland Sex Offender Tiers: Tier I, II and III Explained
Registration lasts 15 years, 25 years or life depending on the tier. What puts an offense in each tier, reporting rules, penalties and the October 2026 changes.
Maryland Legal Alcohol Limit: BAC Chart and DUI vs. DWI
Maryland’s limit is 0.08, but 0.07 is evidence of DWI and drivers under 21 can’t have any alcohol. The BAC chart, penalties and license rules.
Know Your Rights During a Maryland Traffic Stop
Traffic stops can escalate quickly. Knowing your constitutional rights during an encounter with law enforcement is essential for protecting yourself.
DUI Checkpoints in Annapolis: What You Need to Know
Sobriety checkpoints are common in Annapolis. Learn about your rights at DUI checkpoints, how they operate, and what you should do if stopped.
Anchored in Annapolis: Our Next Chapter
We're excited to announce our latest office expansion and new team members joining Cochran & Chhabra as we continue to serve the Annapolis community.
First Offense DUI in Maryland: What to Expect
Facing a first-time DUI charge? Understanding the process, penalties, and your options is the first step toward protecting your future and your rights.
New Rules, Higher Stakes: What Every Maryland Driver Needs to Know Before October 1st
Maryland DUI laws are changing — new interlock requirements, harsher repeat offender penalties, and why you should think twice before taking a field sobriety test.
Out-of-State DUI in Maryland: What Visitors Need to Know
Visiting Maryland and charged with a DUI? How an out-of-state arrest affects your home-state license, why strategy matters more than ever, and a real case where a last-minute pivot changed everything.