Maryland Law Blog

The Washington Examiner is reporting that programs aimed at eradicating street gangs in suburban Maryland, as well as Northern Virginia, are now being threatened due to a loss of federal funding. The concerted anti-gang efforts in both states have been successful in reducing gang activity since 2003; for example, the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, which targets youth who haven’t joined gangs yet and at-risk students who already have, has reduced gang activity by 34 percent. This particular gang prevention program is pricey, however, costing $30,000 a month to run.

The states’ anti-gang programs have been receiving funding under a congressional earmark, which, according to the Examiner, is a “funding mechanism that allows local congressmen to skirt funding competitions within federal agencies.” Now denounced as wasteful spending, smaller jurisdictions, such as Fairfax County, will now have to compete for federal funding against larger cities, such as Baltimore and Chicago.

Funding may not be hard to come by for law enforcement initiatives, but the director of the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force states simply arresting gang members is not enough to prevent gang violence; the key is prevention and prevention programs.

Being involved in any crime in Maryland can leave a person facing serious penalties and consequences without proper legal representation. With years of experience defending Maryland residents against all types of criminal charges, a Bethesda criminal defense lawyer at the law firm of Alpert Schreyer can help you when you are facing criminal charges. For a complimentary consultation regarding your case, call (866) 444-6363.

The Washington Times reports that a former University of Maryland student has been declared fit to stand trial in Prince George’s County's Mental Health Court. The 19-year-old former college student is accused of posting messages online threatening to go on a shooting rampage at the College Park campus of the University of Maryland. Three people alerted campus police about the messages after seeing them on various social media sites, and the college sophomore was arrested and hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation.

The 19-year-old was later released and is now charged with eight different crimes in relation to the March incident, including misuse of electronic mail and disruption of a school’s operations. Authorities conducted a search of the former student’s dorm room and his family’s home in Fulton, but no weapons were discovered. The suspect is presently under home detention and has been indefinitely banned from the grounds of any University of Maryland campus. Prosecutors say it could be months before the case goes to trial, if at all. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for May 15.

Threatening to execute an act of violence can get a person in very serious legal trouble even if there is never any follow through with the threat. The Maryland criminal defense lawyers at the law firm of Alpert Schreyer, LLC can help those facing criminal charges build an effective and aggressive defense. To discuss your case with a member of our legal team, call (866) 444-6363 for a free case evaluation.

A WCSH6.com report states that a Maryland man now faces drug charges after being busted for allegedly selling marijuana out of his ice cream truck. According to the Charles County Sherriff’s office, authorities received a tip through Crime Solvers on March 30 about the alleged drug sales and police stopped the truck at the intersection of Bayswater Court and Sheffield Circle the same day. With the help of a drug detection dog, marijuana was found by deputies in the vehicle, along with an undisclosed amount of cash in the ice cream truck driver’s underwear.

The driver, a 20-year-old resident of Waldorf, had apparently been selling drugs out of his truck for some time to both teens and young adults, who found out about him by word of mouth. He was also legitimately selling ice cream. The ice cream truck driver has been charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The WCSH6.com report says the man is currently “out on bond and out of business.” A spokesperson for the Charles County Sherriff’s office wishes they received the tip much sooner, but is happy that a drug dealer is being taken off the street.

The penalties for drug sales in Maryland can be severe, and without an aggressive Waldorf drug crime defense attorney a person’s future will be in jeopardy. At the law firm of Alpert Schreyer, we have years of experience successfully defending people against drug charges and will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your case. To discuss your specific case with a member of our legal team, call (800) 489-1577.

A report from NACSOnline.com reveals that cigarette smuggling in the state of Maryland is on the rise and is costing the state hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost tax revenue. Maryland assesses a $2 excise tax per pack and the government is intent on trying to keep those tax dollars within the state. Presently, it is a violation of state law to enter MD with more than two packs of cigarettes purchased out of state. A spokesperson for the state comptroller states that any county that borders a low-tax state, including Prince George and Cecil counties, is potentially a target.

The spokesperson for the state comptroller says the practice of smuggling cigarettes continues because the penalties are “not very bad,” which can create an environment that breeds repeat offenders. If caught, smugglers currently face criminal charges of transporting and possession of untaxed cigarettes. “Transporting” of untaxed cigarettes carries a fine of $50 per carton and a possible threat of two years in prison, and “possession” is considered a Maryland misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

The comptroller is sponsoring legislation to stiffen the penalties for cigarette smuggling; specifically, one would increase the per-carton penalty to a $150 fine and imprisonment for up to two years for first time offenders. Repeat offenders could face up to five years in jail and a fine of up to $300 per carton. To show the substantial increase in this crime, state police at Berlin Barrack are on track to seize approximately four times more cigarettes than last year, already having made five arrests this year and seizing 1,600 cartons. In 2011, only four arrests were made and 1,737 cartons were seized.

Anyone facing criminal charges in the state of Maryland would be well-advised to seek professional legal counsel to help protect them from harsh penalties. The Annapolis criminal defense attorneys with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer have years of experience defending all types of criminal charges and will make certain your lawful rights are protected throughout your case. To see how we can assist you, please call (866) 444-6363 to schedule your free consultation.

Andrew Alpert, a Maryland criminal defense attorney, understands the seriousness of a drunk driving conviction and the impact it can have on a person’s life. With more than 24,230 arrested in the state of Maryland in 2007 for drunk driving, it is a very common problem, and without experienced legal counsel, a person may face serious consequences. In Maryland it is illegal for anyone to operate a vehicle with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of 0.08 percent or greater. The penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, for Maryland residents 21 years of age or older are:

First Offense

A first offense for DUI can result in suspension of one’s driver’s license for 45 days or 90 days (for BAC of .15 or more) and fines of up to $1,000. If a minor was in the vehicle at the time of arrest, fines may increase to $2000. Upon conviction, one may also serve a jail term of up to one year, or two years if a minor was in the vehicle.

Second Offense

A second DUI offense can result in driver’s license suspension for 90 days or 180 days (for BAC of .15 or more), fines up to $2,000 (increased to $3,000 with a minor in the vehicle), and a jail term of up to two years. If a minor was in the vehicle, the jail term can be up to three years. An ignition interlock device may be installed in the vehicle after 45 days of suspension.

Three or More Offenses

Any third, or beyond, DUI offense in Maryland may result in a 1 year minimum driver’s license suspension and fines up to $3,000, which increases to $4,000 if a minor was in the vehicle. The jail term substantially increases as well to three years, or four years if a minor was in the vehicle.

A DUI conviction in the state of Maryland will undoubtedly impact the life of a person well beyond when the jail time is served and the fines are paid; an individual’s personal, professional and financial life will be affected for years to come. If you are a MD resident facing a DUI charge, Maryland drunk driving defense lawyer Andrew Alpert and the legal team of Alpert Schreyer have the knowledge and experience to build a strong defense on your behalf and protect your rights. Don’t delay. Call our offices at (866) 444-6363 for a no-cost consultation.

WBALTV.com reports that Baltimore City Police arrested four elementary school students on March 30 following a playground fight. The police officers arrived at Morrell Park Elementary School and arrested three nine-year-olds and an eight-year-old boy, handcuffs and all, on Maryland aggravated assault charges. Reports indicate that the charges were based on a fight that occurred nine days earlier in the 2500 block of Tolley Street in Southwest Baltimore when allegedly one of the children held another child’s head underwater, while another held a boy’s head on a railroad track and threatened to kill him if he told anyone about the incident. The children were held for almost 12 hours in a juvenile detention center nicknamed “Baby Booking.”

Following the arrest of the four elementary school children, members of the Baltimore Police Department are now facing a wave of controversy for their use of handcuffs on the kids and the manner in which they were arrested as it occurred during school hours where anyone could see. Police adamantly defended their actions stating that suspects in all cases are handcuffed to keep officers safe and to prevent people in custody from harming themselves.

However, parents and others argue that officers could have detained the youth after school ended and with “much less fanfare.” An attorney with the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) in Maryland condemned the arrests and conduct of the police, stating there is no excuse for treating eight- and nine-year-old children the same way as adult criminal suspects, adding this shows a problem with the Baltimore Police Department as a whole. City school officials declined to comment regarding the case, simply saying it is under review.

Regardless of age, any resident charged with assault may face severe penalties without the help of a skilled assault defense attorney in Maryland. The law firm of Alpert Schreyer has years of experience defending individuals facing criminal charges and can help protect you against excessive penalties. To speak with us regarding your case, please call (866) 444-6363 for a free consultation.