Would you like fries with those drug charges?

Two young brothers, ages 18 and 20, were recently arrested in Baltimore County on suspicion of drug possession and distribution. Police reported to a McDonald’s parking lot in Aberdeen based on complaints that the two men were selling drugs from their vehicle.

When they arrived, cops found the two men in their car smoking cigars. Upon further investigation and searching, police allegedly found just over 13 grams of marijuana in the vehicle, packaged in multiple bags. The amount of marijuana — and it’s packaging — police claim was in the vehicle likely led law enforcement officials to tack distribution charges onto the possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia charges.

Originally, the two brothers were held in jail on $50,000 bail, but the judge assigned to the case reduced the bail to $10,000 with a $1,000 bond. Both men posted the bail, but the judge would not let them go without a stern lecture and enforcing strict restrictions on their behavior, including a curfew. In addition, the boys will have to take money out of their paychecks to pay their parents back for the bond.

The severity of drug charges typically increases with the amount of drugs found during a search. In this case, it will be important for both defendants to understand the severity of the punishment attached to the charges filed against them. Knowing that law enforcement officials believe that they both intended to sell the marijuana, they are up against a potentially stronger sentence.

Prosecutors could offer both of them a more favorable sentence in exchange for a guilty plea, particularly since the judge has shown some leniency already. Although this could be the best course of action, it will still be important to make sure that it’s the best way to make sure they’re treated fairly.

Source: The Baltimore Sun, “Two brothers arrested on drug charges in Aberdeen,” Jan. 3, 2013

• Although drug crimes are prosecuted quite vigorously, our firm has experience helping facing such charges exercise their legal options. To find out more, please visit our Maryland drug crime page.