Maryland Law Blog

Due to a dramatic jump in homicides in Prince George’s County, more officers are now on the streets in areas that are designated as dangerous. Over a recent two night period, those officers made approximately 100 arrests, according to myfoxdc.com.

In the first 11 days of 2011, there were 13 homicides in Prince George’s County. Because of that shocking burst of crime, the county put 150 extra officers on the streets. The county has received help from the FBI, ATF, DEA, and the Maryland State Police. Also, the police chief moved officers into the Criminal Investigation Division, the narcotics division, and federal task forces.

As a result of the additional officers, not only have 100 arrests taken place in a short period of time, but also many guns and drugs have been recovered. The police are determined to stop the crime wave. In 2007, Prince George’s county also had a similar spike in crime in January, and the police were able to stop it from continuing.

Because the police are so determined to stop this crime wave and to get guns off the streets, it’s highly possible that guns are being seized from people who didn’t realize they were breaking gun laws. Moreover, pressure on law enforcement has the potential to cause the arrests of innocent people.

The Maryland weapons charges defense attorneys at Alpert Schreyer, LLC have defended a variety of firearms cases in Maryland. Partner Andrew Alpert is a former prosecutor who understands how the State builds a Maryland weapons charge case and can use that knowledge to develop an aggressive defense on your behalf. For a free and confidential consultation with one of Alpert Schreyer’s experienced criminal defense attorneys call 866-444-6363 or 301-262-7005 today.

A Maryland state delegate will soon introduce legislation that would allow Maryland citizens to recall elected officials if they are charged with a crime, according to BallotNews.org.

Under current law, only the governor can remove elected officials at the state level who have been convicted of a crime or have pleaded guilty to a crime. A council can remove elected officials at the county level only if a physical or mental disability prevents them from performing the duties of their office.

Details about the bill have not yet been released. The delegate proposing the legislation must decide how recall elections would be administered before drafting the legislation.

In our society, anyone who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a crime can be punished far beyond the criminal penalties. If this legislation passes, an elected official convicted of a minor crime having nothing to do with the duties of office could potentially be kicked out of office or receive a significant amount of societal scorn. In addition to the dangers of losing a career, a person who has been found guilty of a crime could serve jail time, pay serious fines, lose their driver’s license, and endure other harsh consequences.

Because the penalties associated with a criminal conviction in Maryland are so severe, if you are facing criminal charges, you should seek the advice of a criminal defense attorney with the knowledge and experience to provide you with an aggressive defense. At Alpert Schreyer, LLC, our Maryland criminal defense attorneys can build a strong case on your behalf so that you can get your life back on track. Contact us today at 866-444-6363 for a free consultation about your case.

Getting a driver’s license is an exciting time for a teenager, but it also comes with serious responsibilities. According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, the main contributing factors noted by police officers for young driver auto accidents in Maryland include the following:

• Inattention
• Following other vehicles too closely
• Failure to yield right of way
• Driving too fast for road/weather conditions

When considering that 16 and 17 year old motorists account for only 1.6 percent of all licensed drivers in Maryland, it is astonishing that these motorists account for 11 percent of all driver fatalities. Parents can play a major role in helping to ensure that their teenager drives safely and follows all the rules of the road by setting an example and by enforcing rules of their own. It is recommended that parents consider the following points to help raise auto accident awareness with their teen:

• Emphasize the importance of seat belt use at all times. Not only is this the law, but seatbelts are the most effective defense against serious injury and death in the event of a crash.
• Regulate independent driving by allowing your teen to drive alone more frequently only after they have demonstrated responsible driving.
• Limit the number of passengers that your teen is allowed to transport at one time in order to help reduce distracted driving.
• Remind your teen about the dangers posed by speeding.
• Establish allowed driving hours and limit nighttime driving as much as possible since most deadly collisions occur from 9 p.m. to midnight.
• Forbid any type of cell phone use while your teen is driving.
• Do not allow your teen to drink and drive, making sure that your teen knows that drinking and driving is prohibited.

While some of these points may seem obvious, you would be surprised how often they are overlooked or forgotten. As Maryland car accident lawyers, we have seen just how devastating the aftermath of an auto accident can be for an injury victim and their family. If you or someone you care about have been injured in a Maryland vehicle collision that you believe was caused by a negligent driver, our attorneys can help you obtain compensation. Call the law offices of Alpert Schreyer, LLC, today for a free consultation at 1-301-932-9997 or 1-800-301-7172.

Two men from Salisbury have been arrested for the murder of a 63-year-old woman, according to WGMD.com.

The woman lived with her brother; however, she was home alone on the evening of December 17, when police allege two men broke into her home to burglarize the house. The victim purportedly came out of her bedroom, and was shot to death. The victim was found by her brother shortly after one a.m.

The suspects, both age 21, have been charged with first and second degree murder. One of the men was also charged with armed robbery and other crimes. Both suspects are being held at the Wicomico County Detention Center on no bond.

Penalties for any type of homicide in Maryland can be very serious, including many years or life in prison as well as large fines. The penalties can be even worse if the crime involves a gun.

At Alpert Schreyer, our criminal defense attorneys have years of experience with the criminal justice system in Maryland, and will use our knowledge of the system and our skills to build a strong defense on your behalf. Led by former prosecutor Andrew Alpert, our criminal defense lawyers understand both sides of the criminal justice system and can use this unique perspective when handling your case.

If you have been charged with a homicide in Maryland, contact the Maryland criminal defense attorneys at Alpert Schreyer at 1-866-444-6363 today. Our Maryland murder defense lawyers will work hard to ensure that you are treated fairly by the criminal justice system and that your rights are defended.