Have you been charged with weapons offenses in Montgomery County, MD? These charges can carry long-term consequences and can be overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start. Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys can help when you call (301) 364-3195.
Whether this is your first arrest or you’ve faced legal trouble before, we know how to guide you through every stage of your case in Montgomery County. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with a Montgomery County weapons charges lawyer.
Why Hire Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys if You’re Arrested for Weapons Charges?
Being charged with a weapons offense in Maryland can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure about your rights or don’t know where to turn. Choosing the right legal team makes a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Here’s why Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers is a great choice for your case:
- Our firm has 125 years of combined experience helping defendants understand Ohio’s laws and defending their rights in court.
- Our lawyers are former prosecutors who understand both sides of the case. We understand the tactics prosecutors use to try to get a conviction.
- The team receives ongoing, advanced training from experts across the country.
- We have more than a century of combined legal experience.
The consequences of a conviction are serious, and trying to handle the legal system on your own can increase the risk of jail time and lasting penalties.
Ultimately, working with our team makes it easier to avoid mistakes that could hurt your future. We handle the hard parts so you can focus on moving forward with your life in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Contact our team to schedule a free consultation with a Montgomery County weapons charges attorney.
Overview of Weapons Charges in Maryland
Weapons charges in Maryland cover a variety of situations. Here are some of the most common types of charges.
- Carrying a handgun without having a valid permit
- Possessing banned weapons such as assault rifles, machine guns, bombs, grenades, or other destructive devices
- Using a gun while committing a violent crime or felony is treated as a separate offense on top of the original crime
- Having dangerous weapons like pepper mace, switchblades, brass knuckles, or nunchakus without the right permit
- Leaving a loaded firearm where an unsupervised child under the age of 16 can access it
- Bringing any kind of firearm, knife, or deadly weapon onto public school property
Understanding the details and consequences of weapons charges is important because a conviction can have a major effect on your life forever.
What Are the Penalties for Weapons Charges in Montgomery County, Maryland?
If you’re facing weapons charges in Montgomery County, Maryland, the penalties can be severe and vary depending on the specific offense. Here are some of the possible consequences:
- Carrying a handgun without a permit is a misdemeanor, with potential jail time from 30 days to three years and fines ranging from $250 to $2,500 for a first offense.
- Possessing illegal or banned weapons, including assault rifles, machine guns, bombs, and similar items, can result in penalties from up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine for an assault weapon, to as much as 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for a destructive device.
- Using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime or felony carries an extra penalty, with sentencing ranging from five to 20 years, in addition to any punishment for the original crime.
- Having dangerous weapons such as pepper mace, certain knives, nunchakus, or brass knuckles without a permit can lead to up to three years in prison and/or a maximum $1,000 fine.
- Leaving a loaded gun where a child under 16 can get to it is against the law and could result in a fine of up to $1,000.
- Taking firearms, knives, or other deadly weapons onto public school grounds is illegal and could bring up to three years in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
A conviction on any of these charges can seriously affect all aspects of your future.
Collateral Consequences
Being convicted of a weapons offense doesn’t just mean facing jail time or fines. These charges can also bring a range of lasting consequences that can affect different parts of your life. You might face:
- Loss of gun rights: A weapons conviction can lead to losing your right to own or possess firearms, sometimes permanently, under both state and federal law.
- Impact on employment: Most employers conduct background checks and may be unwilling to hire anyone with a weapons-related conviction on their record.
- Housing challenges: Landlords and rental companies often screen for criminal histories, making it difficult to find housing.
- Professional licensing issues: Some professional licenses or certifications can be denied, suspended, or revoked if you’re convicted of a weapons offense, affecting jobs in fields like healthcare, education, or law enforcement.
- Difficulty obtaining loans: A criminal record can make getting approved for certain loans or financial aid more challenging, as lenders may see you as a higher risk.
- Immigration issues: If you’re not a US citizen, a weapons offense can lead to serious consequences, such as deportation.
A weapons conviction can impact your life long after the court case ends, underlining the need for competent legal guidance to protect your future.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Arrested for Weapons Charges?
If you’ve been arrested for weapons charges, there are several potential legal defenses that might apply to your situation. Here are some of the most common defenses used by attorneys in these cases:
- Lack of knowledge or intent: It may be possible to show that you did not knowingly possess or intend to use the weapon unlawfully. For example, you might not have known that someone left a weapon in your vehicle.
- Illegal search and seizure: If the police found the weapon through a search that violated your rights, such as searching your property without a warrant, any evidence they found could be thrown out of court. This can make the case against you incredibly weak or even nonexistent.
- Valid permit or exemption: If you had a permit or fell under an exemption for carrying or possessing the weapon, your attorney can use this to defend you.
- Mistaken identity or false accusation: In some cases, someone may be wrongly accused or mistaken for another person. If there is evidence showing you were not the person involved or that the weapon belonged to someone else, your lawyer can argue for a dismissal of the charges or an acquittal at trial.
- Lack of possession or control: A conviction for a weapons charge requires proof that you had actual or constructive possession of the weapon. If you did not have control over or access to the weapon, for example, if it was found in a shared location that you didn’t have access to, this can be a strong defense.
Every weapons case is different, so having a knowledgeable defense lawyer evaluate your case and recommend the right strategy is crucial.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Montgomery County Weapons Charges Lawyer
Facing weapons charges in Montgomery County, MD, can be intimidating, but you don’t have to navigate the legal system on your own. Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers brings years of experience and dedication to every case.
If you want strong representation and support you can trust, reach out to us today. We’re ready to listen to your story and fight for your rights every step of the way. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with a Montgomery County weapons charges lawyer.
