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Recent Blog Posts
Case Dismissed – Assault 1st and 2nd Degree
Attorney: Kurt Nachtman
North Avenue District Court
April 21-25
Probation Before Judgment – Driving Under the Influence
Attorney: Brian Thompson
Baltimore County District Court
April 14-18
10 Years all Suspended but 30 Days, 5 Years Supervised Probation – Possession with the Intent to Distribute
Attorney: Creston Smith
Carroll County Circuit Court
April 7-11
Probation Before Judgement – Speeding Ticket
Attorney: Brian Thompson
Carroll County District Court
April 7-11
Probation Before Judgement, 1 Year all Suspended, 5 Years Supervised Probation – Sex Offense 4th Degree
Attorney: Creston Smith
Baltimore County Circuit Court
April 7-11
90 Days all Suspended but 10 (credited as served); 12 Months Unsupervised Probation – Failure to Comply to Peace Order
Essex District Court
April 7-11
Silverman Thompson Secures Appellate Court Victory in Property Rights Case
On September 3, 2025, the Appellate Court of Maryland affirmed a prior victory by Silverman Thomspon real estate and appellate lawyers in the Circuit Court for Howard County, with instructions that the trial court issue an order declaring the property rights of adjoining landowners consistent with the appellate opinion.
This article is a follow-up to a prior blog post: Circuit Court Dismisses Firm Client from 7-Count Complaint
In late 2023, Silverman Thompson obtained full dismissal of a complicated property rights case filed against the firm’s client in the matter of George Arthur Willson, II, et al. v. TDH Farms LLC. The case involved a land rights dispute over use of a barn that straddles the property line between two adjoining parcels of real estate, one of which was purchased by the firm’s client.
Claiming a Child Under the Big Beautiful Bill
Since the passing of the Big Beautiful Bill, several key changes were made to support families and education savings.*
The Child Tax Credit slightly increased to $2,200 per child beginning in 2025 and is now indexed to inflation, meaning it will automatically rise over time. The bill also makes permanent the higher income phaseout thresholds, allowing more families to qualify for the full credit: $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for joint filers.
The law also expands how families can use 529 plan funds. Starting in 2025, 529 accounts may be used for a much wider range of educational expenses beyond college tuition and fees. Qualified expenses now include credentialing and licensing programs, testing fees, continuing education, books and materials, tutoring, online learning tools, and certain educational therapies. Covered credential programs extend to both professional and trade certifications, such as CPA or bar exam preparation, CDL training, welding, HVAC, and cosmetology (read more here). Beginning with tax years in 2026, the annual withdrawal limit for K–12 education doubles from $10,000 to $20,000 per child.
Silverman Thompson Wins Reversal of Rookie Cop’s Reckless Endangerment Conviction in Supreme Court of Maryland
In a major appellate victory for Silverman Thompson, the Supreme Court of Maryland — in a 6-1 decision on July 30, 2025 — reversed the reckless endangerment conviction of a former Baltimore City police officer, holding that the officer had no legal duty to prevent a spontaneous, unprovoked assault committed by a third party. The officer, only six months out of field training, responded to a call about two men fighting. When he arrived on the scene, he found one individual lying on the ground incapacitated and another individual sitting in his truck nearby. As the officer investigated, the individual in the truck walked over to the individual on the ground and kicked him in the head. Although an internal police investigation found that the officer had done nothing wrong, the State prosecuted him for reckless endangerment on the theory that he had a duty to prevent the kick. The trial court found the officer guilty, and the Appellate Court of Maryland affirmed. Silverman Thompson appellate specialist Todd Hesel petitioned the Supreme Court of Maryland to take the case, arguing that the officer had no legal duty to prevent the unexpected assault and that the State failed to prove the officer's inaction was a "gross departure" from what a reasonable, similarly situated police officer would have done. The Supreme Court granted the petition and reversed. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Booth, agreed with the Silverman Thompson appellate team that the officer had no legal duty to prevent the kick. First, the court concluded that a duty to prevent a spontaneous and unforeseeable assault by one member of the public on another was not among the common law duties traditionally imposed upon law enforcement officers. Next, the court found that the police department policy statements relied upon by the prosecution reflected only general goals and did not impose a specific duty to act in the circumstances presented. Finally, there was no "special relationship" giving rise to duty to protect, as the State argued, because the incapacitated individual was not in the officer's custody at the time of the kick. Read the Supreme Court of Maryland's opinion here: https://www.mdcourts.gov/data/opinions/coa/2025/13a24.pdf If you need assistance with an appellate matter, Todd Hesel can be reached at thesel@silvermanthompson.com or 443-895-4195.
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From our offices in Baltimore, Annapolis, Towson, and Washington, D.C., we provide representation for clients throughout the state of Maryland and beyond, including Bel Air, Fallston, Abingdon, White Marsh, Middle River, Parkville, Essex, Rosedale, Perry Hall, Overlea, Carney, Dundalk, Hampton, Lutherville, Timonium, Cockeysville, Phoenix, Reisterstown, Owings Mills, Randallstown, Pikesville, Milford Mill, Woodlawn, Catonsville, Ellicott City, West Friendship, Clarksville, Columbia, Fulton, Elkridge, Brooklyn Park, Linthicum Heights, Ferndale, Glen Burnie, Pasadena, Severn, Severna Park, Arnold, Cape Saint Claire, Edgewater, Crownsville, Crofton, Odenton, Bowie, Laurel, and Snow Hill.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
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