We Fight to Protect Your Rights

Evidence is significant in criminal cases, but its use depends on the chain of custody. This process keeps evidence safe and unchanged from collection to court. In Maryland, prosecutors need a proper chain of custody to win cases, and defense attorneys use it to challenge evidence.
How does chain of custody work?
Chain of custody tracks evidence from collection to court. In Maryland, this involves:

Collecting and packaging evidence at the crime scene
Labeling and sealing evidence containers
Transporting evidence to storage facilities
Documenting each custody transfer
Maintaining secure storage until trial

Maryland courts require prosecutors to prove the proper chain of custody to have admissible evidence. This requirement governs evidence authentication to ensure reliability and admissibility in court.
What happens when the chain of custody breaks?
Breaking the chain of custody can harm a criminal case. Defense attorneys might challenge evidence if they prove mishandling, tampering, or poor storage. Some issues include:

Inconsistencies in the documentation: Differences in evidence details, missing info or incomplete records that don’t give a complete history of the evidence
Lousy storage conditions: Wrong temperature or humidity levels can ruin or change evidence
Unauthorized access to evidence:  Lack of supervision allows for manipulation or theft of evidence
Evidence contamination or changes: Not using gloves or masks can contaminate evidence during handling

Judges might exclude such evidence from trial, weakening the prosecution’s case. Law enforcement and prosecutors must carefully document and preserve the chain of custody for all evidence.
How can you protect your rights?
It can be challenging to understand how the court handles and accepts evidence. A skilled criminal defense lawyer can check the evidence against you, find weak spots in material handling, and plan ways to challenge it. They also protect your rights during the legal process and work to create a strong defense for you.