Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyers

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Baltimore-Area Speeders Take Out Aggression on Speed Cameras

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No one likes to feel caught red-handed, especially when it’s for something they know everyone is doing and done without warning. This could be part of the reason Maryland drivers are taking out their frustrations on speed cameras and the vehicles that carry them.

According to the Baltimore Sun, several area speed camera vans and stationary speed cameras. have been vandalized in recent years. They have been pelted with rocks, covered in spray paint, beaten with hammers, nailed with marbles, and covered in post-it notes.

There are about 100 of these cameras in the Baltimore area. Some are hidden in vans and other vehicles while others are mounted on posts. They monitor passing cars and generate traffic tickets which are mailed to speeding drivers.

Many people see the speed cameras as sneaky traps, ways for the city or area to raise revenue without working for it.

A 2009 state law allowed local jurisdictions to install them. Since then, areas have collected generous revenue. In Howard County, who has only been using the cameras for six months, more than 15,000 tickets have been sent out and more than $480,000 has been collected.

“I think most of the citizens I’ve talked to in the county resent the ‘Big Brother’ policy that the camera represents,’ says Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold. Anne Arundel County is not using the cameras largely because the residents there don’t want them.

Way back in 2008, cops tried to figure out who was covering the cameras in post-it notes. Now, however, vandals have gotten a little more advanced, spraying them with paint, nailing them with marbles as they pass, or even setting them on fire.

One man, who admitted to throwing marbles at the speed camera vans was actually followed by one of the vans until he stopped. Then the police were called and the suspect was charged with second-degree assault, destruction of property, and reckless endangerment—far more than a speeding ticket.

Some of the cameras are difficult to see, leading people to feel like they’ve been tricked. But municipalities make a good point when they say, you shouldn’t be speeding whether or not a camera is there.

Vandalism at the expense of speed cameras may seem sometimes-humorous, like a prank committed in frustration. But, these “pranks” can lead to serious criminal charges.

If you are accused of vandalism, reckless endangerment, or other criminal charges for something you regret, you need someone on your side working for your best interests. Contact our offices today to discuss your case. We can offer a free consultation and some potentially valuable legal advice.

Second Degree Assault for Threatening with Sword

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A Maryland man was sentenced to 18 months in jail on a second degree assault charge, after threatening a group of people with a sword.

Via the Herald-Mail and washingtonpost.com, This strange story is the result of a heroin drug problem. The defendant was supposedly high on heroin at the time of the assault, and the rational for the assault was an attempt to collect money from a previous drug sale.
The man brought the sword thinking the men at the house were armed with guns.
Clearly, this was not a well thought out plan.
A significant jail term is unusual with assault and battery charges where ultimately no one was injured, but certainly the unusual circumstances, the drug abuse, and the potential for severe injury, it is not completely surprising.
Under Maryland law, the maximum penalty for second degree assault is 10 years in prison.

Violent Crime Down but still High in Baltimore

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The Associated Press reports this week that violent crime is down in the city known as the setting for gritty dramas like Homicide and The Wire. But despite these drops, the Baltimore is still high when compared with other cities of similar sizes. Officials are questioning whether new policing techniques may be positively impacting the violence.

This report details how 10 years ago cops would have broken up any illegal activity they believed was going on in their presence. Now, they’re more selective, focusing on quality, not quantity of arrests.

Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III is quoted as saying he isn’t trying “to win the drug war”, but rather “the war on violence.” By focusing their efforts on some of the more notorious violent offenders in the city, the police claim they have been able to keep violence down to levels not seen in over 20 years.

In addition to going after the “regular suspects”, police are serving warrants on people with violent pasts quicker than before—even if the warrant is for a nonviolent charge. The city has also developed a gun offender registry, similar to the one in NYC requiring people with gun convictions to register their address.

While the police may drive by a known drug dealer on the corner, this doesn’t mean drug offenses are allowed to run rampant. Arrests for drug crimes are still a fact of everyday life in Baltimore too.

Another change that has gone with the decrease in crime, is an increase in successful convictions on the part of the prosecutor. Because crime is lower, the cases being referred to the DA are better, making dropped charges less and less common. This should be a top concern if you are facing criminal charges today.

If you are facing charges in Maryland, you need to discuss the details of your crime with a defense attorney. Contact me today to talk about the circumstances surrounding the charges against you and what you can do.

Former County Prosecutor Facing Carjacking and Armed Robbery Charges

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Isaiah Dixon III, a former Baltimore County Prosecutor is being held on charges of carjacking and armed robbery. According to the Baltimore Sun, at last check, Dixon was being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center, in what is an unexpected view for him, from the other side of the bars.

Dixon is accused of taking a 2009 Honda Accord from its 31 year old female owner earlier in the week. The robbery happened on Smith Avenue outside of Shoppers Food & Pharmacy. Dixon allegedly used a knife and threatened the woman, who handed over her keys. When Dixon was pulled over later in the day on Belle Avenue, he ran from the car but was apprehended and arrested.

This isn’t Dixon’s first run in with the law. As a matter of fact, proceedings to remove him from the bar are currently underway. Dixon, who practices out of Towson, is said to have taken on new clients as late as July of last year, even after he was notified of the complaints against him.
Thos complaints originate with Dixon’s past drug issues and this current incident causes one to wonder if those issues are, in fact, in the past.

A drug problem can cause people to do things completely out of character. A once highly respected professional man can turn down a path of self destruction and crime when addiction is in the picture.

While drugs aren’t a valid defense in the criminal courts, the courts do occasionally provide resources for people who are accused of crimes related to drug addiction. This is especially true for cases involving possession of a controlled substances or possession of marijuana.

If you find yourself facing criminal charges and aren’t sure what options you have, a consultation with a defense attorney is in order. Together we can take a look at your case and determine the best course of action.

Whether you are up against charges of drug possession or even theft, misdemeanor or felony charges, I may be able to help. Call me today for a consultation.

One Baltimore Adult, Two Juveniles Face Assault Charges

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Three people are facing assault charges in a case with serious racial overtones. All three have entered not guilty pleas and the case is set for a December 11th trial according to the Baltimore Sun.

Twenty eight year old Calvin E. Lockner, 16 year old Emmanuel Miller, and 17 year old Zachary Watson all face charges in adult criminal court. The charges against them include 1st degree assault and carjacking. If convicted, the sentences could be enhanced under Maryland’s hate crime laws.

Last month, the trio was arrested on suspicion of beating elderly James A, Privott, a black man, who was fishing at Fort Armistead Park. During the beating the three shouted racial slurs and the prosecution believes this crime would have never happened had the victim been a white man.

This earlier report from ABC News reveals that the attack cost 76 year old Privott two teeth and a possible broken eye socket. He was treated at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. The weapon of choice used in the attack was a baseball bat.

Lockner is a known white supremacist, with racist tattoos and a nickname of Adolph Hitler. He has spent time in prison after a 2000 conviction on a sex offense.

The two juveniles do not, as of yet, have any adult criminal records, and their attorneys argue the boys were not involved and did not know of Lockner’s intention to beat Privott.

Assault charges are very serious and these are made even more serious because they appear to have been committed based on the skin color of the victim. There are special laws on the books that apply to hate crimes, potentially increasing the penalty because of the racially motivated nature of the offense.

A typical 1st degree assault charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 25 years. These men, if convicted, could serve more.

If you are facing assault charges it may not resemble this case at all. Perhaps you got into it with a companion or got stuck in the middle of a bar fight. Whatever the case, I want to help. Contact me immediately to discuss the situation that led to your charges.

Sixty-Six Year Old Man Charged in Odenton Road Rage Incident

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If you have ever been cut off in traffic or narrowly missed having an accident due to the error of another driver you may have gotten angry. However, getting angry and threatening that driver with a gun are two different things. The latter can land you in a slew of legal trouble as 66 year old Lawrence D. Bourgard is finding out.

Police responded to what they thought was an accident but found the scene to actually involve a case of road rage. A 24 year old driver admitted to possibly cutting off Bourgard in traffic but what Bourgard allegedly did following that was a little extreme.

The 24 year old victim stated that Bourgard pulled alongside her, showed her a firearm, and asked if she “wanted to get shot”. Police found the weapon, a loaded .38 caliber revolver, in the vehicle with Bourgard and made an arrest on the spot.

Bourgard now faces several charges including reckless endangerment, transporting a handgun in a vehicle, and both first degree and second degree assault.

The assault charges alone are enough to threaten harsh penalties and dramatic changes in Bourgard’s life. A first degree assault charge can end in up to 25 years in prison. Second degree assault carries a potential 10 year sentence. Reckless endangerment is even considered an assault charge and carries another 5 year potential prison sentence.

In addition, Bourgard faces weapons charges, with a potential for significant additional penalties in his criminal record. Because of their propensity for injury, weapons charges are taken very seriously by the Maryland criminal courts.

Whether you are facing simple traffic offense or a serious assault charge, you want to ensure you put your case in competent hands. An experienced local attorney can give you the attention you need while ensuring your rights are looked after through the entire criminal process.

Let’s discuss the particulars of your case. I want to know what happened in detail so I can assist you in making the best legal decisions. Call me right away.