Maryland Law Blog

According to an ABC 2 News report, a high school English teacher from Anne Arundel County was recently arrested and is now charged with sexually abusing three of his students. The charging documents indicate that the 29-year-old Glen Burnie High School teacher had inappropriate relationships with three female students. One of the alleged incidents happened with a former student who he met when he was coaching junior varsity basketball; the second occurred with a student who is still attending Glen Burnie, with the encounters happening in his classroom; and the third happened this school year with a 16-year-old girl, with encounters taking place in the teacher’s home, among other places.

According to reports, an assistant coach overheard a suspicious conversation with the third victim in which she discussed the trysts, and he immediately notified the high school’s principal who in turn notified the Department of Social Services. The teacher now faces numerous child sex charges and is being held on 3 million dollars bail. The case is alarming Maryland parents, and the head of the Baltimore Child Abuse Center urges parents to keep a close eye on their children, and if they are spending an inordinate amount of time with one adult, it could be a cause for concern.

The consequences of the crime of sex with a minor can include anything from imprisonment, heavy fines, mandatory sex offender registration, or probation. The state of Maryland has four categories of persons convicted of sexual offenses:

• An offender;
• A child sexual offender;
• A sexually violent offender; and
• A sexually violent predator.

If convicted, the suspect in this case would likely be a child sexual offender, which includes the crime of sexual abuse of a minor.

A sex crime accusation can be extremely damaging to a person’s reputation, especially as an educator. A strong legal defense can prove key in getting an optimal outcome in the case. The skilled Bethesda sex crime defense lawyers with Alpert Schreyer have years of experience defending those convicted of sex crimes and can help you get the best possible results in your case. For a free consultation, please call (866) 444-6363.

Drug cultivation and drug manufacturing laws make it illegal to produce, grow, and possess certain plants, or other naturally occurring elements, that are used in the production of illegal controlled substances, such as marijuana plants or cannabis seeds. In addition, drug cultivation and manufacturing laws make it a crime to produce illegal controlled substances, such as cocaine, LSD, or ecstasy, all of which require the use of certain chemicals and lab equipment in their production. Federal and state drug cultivation laws vary according to drug type and the amount produced.

In the state of Maryland, it is illegal for non-medical and recreational users of marijuana to use, sell, cultivate, or possess this drug. Law enforcement in Maryland takes this offense very seriously, and between the years of 1995 and 2002, there were over 136,800 arrests for the possession, use, sale, or cultivation of marijuana. The sale or cultivation of marijuana, regardless of the amount, is considered a felony; if convicted, less than 50 pounds can get a person up to five years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine. For the cultivation or sale of marijuana that is more than 50 pounds, the mandatory minimum prison sentence is five years, and may include a fine up to $100,000.

If you are a MD resident facing marijuana cultivation charges, the drug cultivation defense attorneys in Waldorf with Alpert Schreyer can help you build an aggressive defense. The state may sometimes use alternative sentencing, such as rehabilitation, to punish offenders, so a skilled drug defense lawyer can help obtain the best possible outcome in your case. For a free consultation, please call (800) 489-1577.

Drug possession charges may possibly be one of the most frequently seen charges in Maryland Courts. The state laws regarding drug charges such as drug possession are well defined and the penalties for those convicted of possession can be quite severe. Under Maryland law, the legal term “possession” means having control over something. Therefore, if you have control over the drug, then you are in possession of it by having it anywhere from in your lap to under your car seat.

If an individual is found with any drug besides marijuana it will be considered a felony charge and, anyone convicted of felony drug possession may face years or even decades in prison and fines that may reach $25,000. As a general rule maximum sentences are usually reserved for those convicted of possessing drugs such as ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, and LSD while an offender who is found to be in possession of marijuana faces misdemeanor charge and penalties, and may receive up to 1 year in jail.

Even though the court, will often take into account many factors when deciding the sentence for a defendant convicted of drug possession in Maryland, the penalties can be quite severe, and the charge can certainly have a negative impact on one’s reputation and future, both personally and professionally. The narcotics defense lawyers in Maryland with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer, LLC can help defend MD residents who are facing drug possession charges. Our experienced legal team will fight for your rights in court and be your advocate throughout your legal battle. For a free and confidential consultation, please call (866) 444-6363.

CBS Baltimore reports that a St. Michaels resident convicted of armed bank robbery received a 51-month prison sentence this week. The suspect entered the Talbot Bank of Tilghman, located on Tilghman Island, in March of last year with a .22 caliber rifle. He demanded money from a teller and walked out with more than $4,700; however, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated that the suspect was identified very quickly by the truck he was driving when he left the bank and was arrested that night. The money stolen was recovered by authorities.

Robbery with an armed weapon is considered a felony theft crime in Maryland and it is treated very seriously by the state. Robbery is defined as the obtaining of property from another person by force or through the threat of force. The “property” could be money or valuables, and the “force” could be actual physical contact or simply threatening a person. The state penalty for robbery (without a weapon) is a maximum 15-year prison sentence, and an armed robbery conviction carries with it a maximum jail sentence of 20 years. Anyone convicted of the similar crime of armed carjacking may receive up to 30 years behind bars.

Being convicted of robbery charges can have a very negative impact on a person’s future, and the penalties one may face can be severe. As the state takes this crime very seriously, hiring a knowledgeable Bethesda theft defense lawyer would be well advised as the state will do everything possible to punish you with the maximum penalty. At Alpert Schreyer, we have years of experience defending those facing robbery charges and we will help build a defense to protect your legal rights throughout your case. For a no-cost consultation, please call (866) 444-6363.

According to the Elderburg Patch, Maryland State Troopers arrested two convicted felons this week for possession of drugs and guns after they were stopped for speeding on Route 97 in Westminster. Just before midnight, state troopers stopped the felons’ Toyota SUV for exceeding the speed limit and the senior trooper conducted a search with his K9 dog due to suspicions that the suspects were in possession of illegal drugs. The dog alerted the troopers to the presence of drugs, and following a search of the vehicle, they found drug paraphernalia and a small amount of marijuana.

Reports indicate that the state troopers found two loaded Springfield semi automatic guns with the serial numbers scratched off. A search of the vehicle also turned up ski masks, stockings, and black jackets, leading them to believe the two men were involved in other criminal activity. According to police, both men are currently being held at the Carroll County Detention Center on $500,000 bond.

A Maryland felony firearm charge can enhance the penalties in a felony case. It is considered a felony firearm crime for a convicted felon to possess a firearm at any time, and obliterating the serial numbers on a firearm is considered a felony firearm crime in many states as well. Maryland state law prohibits convicted felons from owning or possessing a weapon or ammunition. Statistics also show that the federal government is cracking down on felony firearms cases with increasing strength, as 94% of federal firearms prosecutions from 2000 to 2003 involved the unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and the use or possession of a firearm during a felony act.

If you are a convicted felon facing a firearm charge, you could be subject to harsh penalties as it is a very serious offense under MD state law. The firearms charges lawyers in Bethesda with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer can help protect your rights in court and build an aggressive defense on your behalf to get you the best possible results. Please call (866) 444-6363 for a free consultation.

In a very bizarre story this holiday season, a man dressed as Frosty the Snowman was recently arrested in Chestertown on assault charges. According to Digitaljournal.com, the Maryland resident, who was dressed as the iconic Christmas character, was participating in a Chestertown Christmas parade when he allegedly kicked a police dog. The police sergeant/dog’s handler immediately escorted the man away from the crowd, but Frosty reportedly hit the police officer in the face with the head of his costume. A second officer on the scene also claims he was pushed by the Frosty impersonator as they tried getting him into the patrol car.

The man, who was on probation for disorderly conduct, now faces a second degree assault charge for the incident, as well as other charges including resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Under Maryland law, an assault crime is considered to be any crime involving assault, battery, or a combination of the two. Assault in the second degree is a considered a serious offense (though not as serious as assault in the first degree). If you touch someone else in an unwanted manner that could be perceived as offensive, unwanted, or potentially harmful, you may charged with this offense. Assault in the second degree is considered a misdemeanor crime in Maryland and carries with it a maximum penalty of 10 years. If the assault is committed on law enforcement, however, the assault charge may be considered a felony.

Though it is not uncommon for an assault charge to be pled down to something less serious in Maryland, the consequences for any assault conviction can be harsh, as it considered a very serious offense. If you are a Maryland resident who is facing assault charges, an experienced Waldorf criminal defense lawyer with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer can help build an aggressive defense on your behalf. We have helped many Maryland residents facing assault charges get their charges reduced or dismissed altogether. Please call (866) 444-6363 for a free consultation.