http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com The law in plain english Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:48:33 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Mailboxes are filling with the paperwork we need to fill out tax forms. We can dread figuring out what we might owe, we can dread having to mail a check to Uncle Sam or the state, but there’s something even worse: Falling for a tax-related scam that could lead to ... http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com/blog/2010/01/26/nothings-certain-but-death-taxes-and-scams-related-to-them/ Is the Baltimore area a trendsetter or late to the party when it comes to traffic and pedestrian cameras? Last week, Melody Simmons detailed statistics for the thousands of speeders caught by state AND Baltimore City cameras; the story mentions that the city is considering adding cameras. In July and November we looked ... http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com/blog/2010/01/20/friends-and-enemies-of-surveillance-cameras/ Baltimore’s Ravens crushed the New England Patriots in their first-round playoff game. To win the NFL championship the Ravens must continue to be road warriors. This puts their fans in extra danger of being cheated while buying tickets. [The Ravens play Saturday night in Indianapolis against Baltimore's former team, the Colts. ... http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com/blog/2010/01/12/don%e2%80%99t-get-fouled-when-buying-tickets-ravens-fans/ Justin Fenton of The Sun offers a look back at crime during 2009 in Baltimore, where the number of homicides increased slightly from the year before although there were fewer shootings. The Mayor’s Office (where Sheila Dixon will serve until her resignation takes effect Feb. 4) has declared Jan. 10-16 a ... http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com/blog/2010/01/06/home-dangerous-home/ Did Santa give you a breathalyzer for Christmas? Should your favorite drinkers have one for New Year’s? According to USA Today, you can buy a disposable one for a single use for about $3; a high-end digital model costs $299. Companies are making the devices convenient. Some fit on a keychain. ... http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com/blog/2009/12/30/dont-wait-for-the-police-to-catch-you-drunk/ If you’re eager to buy more and bigger presents than you can afford this holiday season, here’s a way [that we do NOT recommend], complete with excuse. According to a story by Gregory Katz of the Associated Press: “For a priest in northern England, the commandment that dictates ‘thou shalt not steal’ ... http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com/blog/2009/12/22/what-the-priest-really-meant-about-five-finger-discounts/ You would hope that by now it wouldn’t be necessary to warn about the dangers and foolishness of driving while drunk. But years of statistics exist about the high number of traffic deaths attributable to DUI, especially around the holidays. For instance, according to Mothers Against Drug Driving, alcohol-related traffic incidents ... http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com/blog/2009/12/11/dont-drink-and-drive-really/ This must be stun gun season. In her story posted today about pressures that police officers face on- and off duty, Melody Simmons mentions a New York lieutenant who killed himself to avoid possible prosecution after giving the order to shoot a mentally ill man with a stun gun. The man ... http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com/blog/2009/12/09/stun-guns-galore/ After seven days of jury deliberation, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon was convicted yesterday of misappropriating gift cards donated for children to use during the holidays. Her sentencing, and whether she can continue to serve in office, remains to be seen. Just as Baltimore has a reputation for violent crime, Maryland has a ... http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com/blog/2009/12/02/everyday-white-collar-crime-adds-up/ How do you choose a lawyer? By comparing loud, late-night TV commercials? Throwing a dart at the Yellow Pages? Asking around? Finding out who went to which school? Ever consider going to law school? How in the world do you pick one? Enthusiasm of alumni? Country club membership? Political connections? Every year, it ... http://exhibitanewsbaltimore.com/blog/2009/11/24/ranking-lawyers-and-their-schools/