Morgan Leigh Explains the Law
Maryland’s New Incarcerable Reckless Driving Law
On October 1, 2025, Maryland’s “Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act” took effect, reshaping the state’s treatment of reckless, negligent, and aggressive driving. The biggest headline: reckless driving is now a jailable offense and includes a bright-line speed threshold. These changes are codified in amendments to Md. Transp. § 21-901.1, alongside related updates to the point system and aggressive-driving provisions.
Anti-Stalking Orders vs. Civil Protective Orders in Washington, DC: What You Need to Know
The difference between a civil protection order (CPO) and an anti-stalking order (ASO) in DC is based upon the relationship between the parties. Both offer relief from threatening, harassing, and stalking behavior, but a civil protection order can be issued on a wider array of conduct than an anti-stalking order. In this blog, I discuss the differences between a CPO and an ASO.
Why EPA Chose Not to Repeal the PFAS Drinking Water Rule (and What That Really Means)
PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals”—have been under the regulatory microscope for years. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are a large class of human-made chemicals that are resistant to water, oil, and heat. They are persistent in the environment and in human bodies (hence the nickname “forever chemicals”). In April 2024, EPA finalized the first nationwide drinking-water standards for several PFAS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). In 2025, the agency—now under new leadership—floated rollbacks for parts of that package, including plans to rescind standards for certain newer PFAS and to extend deadlines for compliance.
Important in an age of protests: D.C. Court of Appeals Clarifies Jury Instructions for Unlawful Entry on Public Property
In a major decision further limiting firearm eligibility in the District, the DC Court of Appeals ruled in District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department v. Paul Porter, that a person who received a probation before judgment (PBJ) in Maryland and subsequently expunged the case, could still be considered "convicted" under District law — and therefore disqualified from registering a firearm.
Maryland Court Expands Rights for People Seeking to Remove Criminal Convictions or Reduce Their Sentences
Often, the most difficult aspects of a criminal conviction are the long-lasting collateral consequences that follow a person long after the sentence has been completed and the debt to society has been repaid. On July 13, 2025, the Maryland Supreme Court took a step in the right direction to ensure that individuals who were not properly advised by their attorneys of their right to request a sentence modification within five years can petition the court to review the case. This blog discusses the change in the law and who is eligible to petition the court for a belated sentence modification, which can include striking and vacating the conviction altogether.
DC: Expunged Charges Can Still Disqualify Firearm Applicants in District of Columbia MPD v. Paul Porter
In a major decision further limiting firearm eligibility in the District, the DC Court of Appeals ruled in District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department v. Paul Porter, that a person who received a probation before judgment (PBJ) in Maryland and subsequently expunged the case, could still be considered "convicted" under District law — and therefore disqualified from registering a firearm.
DC Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 – Expansion of Criminal Record Sealing and Expungements in Washington, DC
The DC Second Chance Amendment Act expands opportunities for individuals with criminal records to have their records sealed or expunged, allowing them to rebuild their lives without the burden of past mistakes…