3 Key Steps to Beating a Weapons Charge in Maryland

If you’ve been accused of a weapons crime in Maryland, you need aggressive legal help right away. Gun crimes are very serious offenses, and Maryland has some of the strictest and most prohibitive gun laws in the country. Offenders from more lenient states are often shocked to learn that things which would have been minor offenses back home are serious crimes or even felonies in Maryland.

Step 1: Don’t Speak to Prosecutors or Police

There are numerous gun crimes that prosecutors can charge you with if you speak to them. Many people have accidentally implicated themselves in more severe crimes, just by virtue of saying the wrong thing to a prosecutor. For instance, something as simple as where you were at the time you were caught with a handgun can make a difference between the charge being a misdemeanor or felony. Also, crimes require intent. It can be difficult to prove your intent without some evidence of that intent. By remaining silent, you are not helping the prosecutor build his or her case against you.

Step 2: Prepare Questions for Your Attorney

Sometimes it is helpful to keep a journal of things you remember from the day of your arrest. Obviously you don’t want to do this while locked up. But if you are released and awaiting trial, you may wish to keep notes and write down some questions for your lawyer. These notes are not evidence, and the court cannot make you turn them over, because these are confidential communications between you and your attorney. Try to keep track of all the minor details, such as:

• What did the officer say to you when he approached you?
• Where were you standing?
• Were you driving a vehicle, or were you a passenger?
• What exactly made the officer search you?
• Where had you been, and where were you going?
  

It’s a good idea to ask your attorney what details are important, and what sort of information he will need in order to get started. This way you can be working on gathering the information your attorney will need in order to help you. When you first meet with your attorney, you will be prepared for a meaningful and efficient meeting. Often there are details about the arrest that you would not even expect to be important, but your attorney may find them crucial to getting your charges reduced or even dropped altogether.

Step 3: Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

You should make sure you are working with an experienced defense lawyer who routinely handles cases in the same jurisdiction where you were charged. For help with a weapons charge in Baltimore, Anne Arundel, and Howard Counties, call the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink today. There’s no substitute for experience, so don’t take chances. Call today.

Resource:

govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Document/N43E45F203C0211E69A7981745F9F9D8A?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)&bhcp=1