Student Charged with Possession of Firearm on School Property
A 22 year old student at Towson State University in Baltimore County was arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearm (a handgun) on public school property, after campus police received a tip that the student kept a handgun in his dorm room. The prosecutor sought a conviction, with forfeiture of the handgun, warning that the judge was likely to send the student to jail if convicted. Every person charged with a crime, including possession of firearm on school property, is entitled to fight the charges at a trial.
Penalties for Possessing Firearm on School Property
If a person is convicted of possessing a firearm on school property, the court can impose a fine up to $1,000.00, and imprisonment up to 3 years, or both.
Student found Not Guilty of Possession of Firearm on School Property
Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith of the Smith Criminal Defense Firm, located in Columbia (Howard County), Maryland, aggressively defended the student. Mr. Smith rejected all plea bargain offers. The case proceeded to trial in the District Court for Baltimore County. The police and prosecutor failed to prove proper chain of custody of the handgun. The judge found the student not guilty of illegal possession of firearm on school property.
Second Amendment, Handguns, and Colleges
Criminal lawyer Smith also was prepared to argue that the United States Supreme Court’s decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, which interpreted the Second Amendment’s constitutional right to bear arms as including an individual right to possess a handgun in the home, protected the student’s right to keep a handgun for self-defense purposes in his single occupant dorm room — the functional equivalent of his home.
Howard County Firearm Defense Attorney
Mr. Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of extensive trial experience. Attorney Smith has handled thousands of criminal cases in the local courts, including numerous possession of firearm, and handgun charges. With a solid and longstanding reputation for personal service and thorough preparation, we get many of our new cases as referrals from existing or former clients, or from other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.
Top Rated Columbia and Ellicott City Criminal Lawyer
Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in possession of firearm, and handgun, and other criminal cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal lawyers in Howard County.
Contact Our Office
To schedule an appointment with an experienced possession of firearm defense attorney and criminal defense lawyer, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represents clients in possession of firearm, handgun, other criminal defense matters, DUI / DWI, MVA Hearings, traffic offenses, domestic violence and child abuse charges throughout Maryland, including the cities of Columbia, Clarksville, Sykesville, Fulton, Elkridge, Frederick, Mt. Airy, Ellicott City, Laurel, Westminster, and Baltimore. Lawyer Smith also provides experienced legal representation for clients in Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Prince Georges (Prince George) County, Howard County and Montgomery County, MD.
