Silver Spring Felony Weapons Crimes Attorney

Weapons Crimes Attorney Defending Clients in Silver Spring, MD

Felony weapons crimes are serious. Maryland is harsh on crimes involving guns and other dangerous weapons, and it has some of the most restrictive weapons laws in the nation. While some states allow people convicted of certain violent misdemeanors, like assault, to keep their gun rights, Maryland does not. Mandatory minimum sentencing for felony weapons crimes means that you will spend some time in jail or prison if you are convicted.

The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC. will work to provide you with the best possible defense in court. We are experienced in representing people charged with all types of weapons offenses, including both misdemeanors and felonies. In some cases, we can work with the prosecution to have your charges reduced to a misdemeanor, or we may recommend taking your case to trial to show that the state does not have enough evidence to convict you.

Possession of a Destructive Device

There are some weapons considered so dangerous that they are not allowed in the state even if you have a concealed weapons permit. Devices like hand grenades, bombs and other explosives, poison gas, or flamethrowers cannot reasonably be used for legitimate self-defense purposes. Being caught with such a device—or the components to make such a device—can lead to a prison sentence of up to 25 years.

People possessing these types of destructive devices are assumed to present a serious threat to public safety. With the rise of mass shootings and other acts of domestic terrorism, courts are likely to assume that you may have intended to carry out an attack on the public. Although you may have had no intention of using the destructive device for any nefarious purpose, the court may not believe you.

Gun Possession by People Convicted of Certain Offenses

If you have a felony conviction and are caught with any firearm, you could be charged with another felony. Felons found in possession of a firearm can be treated very harshly in court and given long prison sentences. Judges often assume that people who have committed a felony before are extremely likely to use the firearm to commit another serious crime. You can expect to be considered a threat to the public.

People with felony records are often subjected to unlawful searches that lead to law enforcement finding a gun. If this is the case, you may have a strong defense in that your constitutional rights were violated.

Using a Weapon While Committing Another Crime

If you allegedly used any type of dangerous weapon while committing another offense, such as sexual assault, robbery, drug trafficking, or domestic violence, you are almost certainly looking at felony charges and sentencing enhancements. Even drawing a weapon or threatening to use a weapon while committing another offense is likely to take the underlying offense from a misdemeanor to a felony. For example, using a weapon can turn a misdemeanor assault charge into aggravated assault, which is a serious violent felony. This is true even if you never actually used the weapon to injure another person.

Using a dangerous weapon or gun in the commission of another offense is considered especially serious because of the potential for someone to be seriously injured or killed. If someone did die as a result of your use of a deadly weapon, you will likely be facing murder or manslaughter charges in addition to charges for the original offense you were committing.

Contact a Silver Spring, MD Felony Weapons Crimes Lawyer

The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC. is highly experienced in defending people accused of serious weapons crimes. Our skilled Silver Spring, MD felony weapons crimes attorneys will do all we can to present the best defense possible on your behalf. Contact us at 301-589-9500 for a complimentary consultation.