Atkinson Law

08/24/2026

If you’ve been charged with domestic violence assault in Maryland and the alleged victim wants to drop the case, don’t assume it’s over.

In Maryland, the State decides whether to prosecute. Not the alleged victim. And prosecutors in Baltimore County and Harford County are trained to build cases that don’t depend on the witness showing up at all, using 911 recordings, body camera footage, and prior statements.

Attorney Lesley Atkinson just published a must-read breakdown of the “recanting witness” problem in Maryland domestic violence cases and what an effective defense actually looks like.

📖 Link in comments.
📞 Confidential consultations: 410-882-9595

08/18/2026

Facing a Theft or Burglary Charge in Baltimore County? Here's What You Need to Know 👇

Getting charged with theft or burglary is scary — and the outcome often comes down to how quickly you get the right help. I'm Lesley Atkinson, and I defend clients right here in Parkville, Rosedale, Middle River, and Essex who are dealing with exactly this.

Here's what matters most:

⚖️ Theft charges are based on the value of property involved — anything under $1,500 is usually a misdemeanor, but $1,500+ can be charged as a felony.

🏠 Burglary charges depend on whether the structure was a dwelling, whether anyone was home, and whether a weapon was involved — these details change everything.

📋 A conviction doesn't just mean fines or jail time — it can follow you into job applications, housing, and even custody cases for years.

The good news? Many theft and burglary cases resolve well before trial — through reduced charges, diversion programs, or dismissal — when the right defense strategy is in place from day one. I know how the Baltimore County District Court works, and I know how to build that strategy for your specific case.

If you or someone you love has been charged, don't wait and don't go it alone.

📞 Call 410-882-9595 to set up a consultation.

07/30/2026

"Can I leave someone out of my Will?" is one of the most common questions we hear at our law firm.

The short answer: yes... but not always.

Maryland law gives you a lot of freedom to decide who inherits your property, but spouses, minor children, and even kids born after you signed your Will have legal protections that can override your wishes if your estate plan isn't drafted carefully.

Curious where the lines are? We break it all down — spousal elective share, pretermitted children, blended family planning, and more — in our latest blog.

Read it here:

One of the most common questions we hear at Atkinson Law is: "Can I leave someone out of my Will?"   The short answer...

07/24/2026

🚨 Pulled over for DUI in Towson or Bel Air? An arrest is not a conviction.

DUI cases are won and lost in the details — and there are more defenses available than most drivers realize. Attorney Lesley Atkinson breaks down what he looks for in every case:

✅ Was there even reasonable suspicion for the stop?
✅ Were field sobriety tests administered correctly?
✅ Are the breathalyzer/blood test results reliable?
✅ Could a medical condition have been mistaken for impairment?
✅ Does the dashcam/bodycam footage match the police report?

Whether your stop happened on York Road, Route 1, I-695, or MD-24 — or at a sobriety checkpoint — every detail matters, and every case is different.

📞 Charged with DUI or DWI in Towson, Bel Air, Baltimore County, or Harford County? Call Attorney Lesley Atkinson today at 410-882-9595 for a confidential consultation.

🔗 Read the full breakdown:

If you've been stopped and arrested for driving under the influence in Towson, Bel Air, or anywhere else in Baltimore...

07/17/2026

If you hold a government security clearance in Maryland, a domestic violence protective order can affect far more than your personal life.

A civil order isn’t a criminal conviction — but security clearance investigators don’t just look at criminal records. And consenting to a final order just to “get it over with” is one of the costliest mistakes Attorney Lesley Atkinson sees.

His latest blog answers the most common questions from clearance holders, federal employees, and military members facing protective order proceedings in Maryland.

📖 Read the full blog (link in comments).
📞 Confidential consultations: 410-882-9595

06/26/2026

Maryland drivers: the rules changed October 1, 2025 — and most people have no idea.

Under the new Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act, driving 30 mph or more over the speed limit is no longer a traffic ticket. It’s a criminal offense — with a mandatory court appearance, up to 60 days in jail, six points on your license, and a criminal record.

85 in a 55. 80 in a 50. 60 in a 30 mph zone. Any of those can now result in a criminal charge.

Attorney Lesley Atkinson just published a full breakdown of the new law, how Baltimore County is enforcing it, and what defense options are available — including how to potentially get a charge reduced to a non-criminal infraction.

📖 Read the full blog (link in comments) and share it with every driver you know.

📞 Free consultations: 410-882-9595

06/17/2026

If you’ve been named Personal Representative of an estate in Maryland — first, take a breath. It’s an honor. It’s also a lot.

Between court filings, creditor notices, family communications, and tax obligations, it’s easy to make mistakes — even with the best intentions. And some of those mistakes can delay the estate, create legal complications, or put you personally at risk.

Attorney Yollette Atkinson just published a practical guide to the 7 most common probate mistakes Maryland Personal Representatives make, including:

⏰ Missing filing deadlines with the Register of Wills
💸 Distributing assets before all debts and taxes are resolved
📂 Poor recordkeeping that causes problems at accounting time
🤐 Failing to communicate with beneficiaries — and the disputes that follow

Most of these mistakes are completely avoidable. And knowing about them now can save significant time, stress, and money later.

📖 Read the full blog (link in comments) — and share it with anyone who’s been named a Personal Representative.

📞 410-882-9595 | Atkinson Law serves families throughout Maryland.

06/11/2026

When a loved one passes away, the grief alone is overwhelming. The last thing most families expect is to immediately face a stack of legal obligations.

Attorney Yollette Atkinson just published a compassionate, practical guide to what estate administration in Maryland actually looks like — covering the first steps after a loss, how the Register of Wills process works, managing family expectations, and when professional guidance can make a real difference.

Probate doesn’t have to be something families face alone or unprepared. Understanding what’s ahead makes an already difficult time a little more manageable.

📖 Read the full blog (link in comments) and share it with a family who may need it.

📞 410-882-9595 | Atkinson Law serves families throughout Maryland.

05/26/2026

Memorial Day has passed — but for some people in Baltimore County and Harford County, the consequences of the weekend are just beginning.

If you or someone you know was charged with DUI over the holiday weekend, don’t wait and don’t assume the case is airtight.

Attorney Lesley Atkinson published a guide covering exactly what’s at stake after a Maryland DUI arrest — and what an experienced defense attorney can actually do about it:

✅ Was the traffic stop even lawful?
✅ Were field sobriety tests administered correctly?
✅ Are there Constitutional violations that could suppress evidence?
✅ Are there medical explanations for alleged impairment?

For veterans and military personnel, the stakes are even higher — a DUI conviction can affect security clearances, base driving privileges, and career advancement.

Every DUI case is fact-specific. The outcome often depends on details the average person would never know to question.

📖 Read the full blog (link in comments).
📞 Call Attorney Lesley Atkinson today: 410-882-9595

05/14/2026

You were a passenger. The drugs weren’t yours. But now you’re facing a possession charge.

This happens more often than most people realize in Baltimore County and Harford County — and being in the car does not automatically make you guilty.

In Maryland, prosecutors use a theory called “constructive possession” to charge passengers even when drugs were found under a seat, in a console, or in someone else’s belongings. But to make that charge stick, the State must prove you knew the drugs were there AND exercised some control over them.

That’s where many of these cases fall apart.

Attorney Lesley Atkinson just published a detailed breakdown of the most effective defenses for passengers charged with drug possession, including:

✅ Mere presence is not enough — proximity alone doesn’t prove possession
✅ Lack of knowledge — if you didn’t know, the State may not be able to prove intent
✅ No dominion or control — especially when drugs were in another person’s belongings
✅ Illegal traffic stop or search — if your Fourth Amendment rights were violated, evidence may be suppressed

Don’t assume the case against you is airtight. Many passenger possession cases can be challenged successfully.

📖 Read the full blog (link in comments) and share it with anyone who needs it.

📞 410-882-9595 | Confidential consultations available.