Prince George’s County Gun Arrests and Arraignments
Going through Prince George’s County gun arrests and arraignments may be an overwhelming experience. During such a trying ordeal, individuals are advised to consult a hard-working gun attorney. Given that arrests and arraignments could lead to a large number of legal and social consequences for the accused, defendants may benefit greatly from a tenacious lawyer standing by their side.
Common Scenarios in Which Firearm Charge Arrests Occur
Some of the most common scenarios in which gun charge arrests typically take place are being pulled over for a routine traffic stop. The officers may observe or search an individual or their vehicle and then discover a firearm. Another situation is when the police conduct a search of someone’s residence and find a gun. Police also may conduct a search on a residence in which there is someone who is not allowed to have a gun.
Probable Cause for Gun Arrests
Law enforcement may choose to arrest a person once they have probable cause, which could come after they gather evidence that may aid the prosecution. If there is little evidence, charging someone may not have much of an impact since the prosecutor may ultimately be unable to prove the case. It should be noted that before checking a person’s registration, an officer will initially seize the gun. To do so, officers only prepare in a way that is the safest and the most likely way to obtain evidence against someone.
What to Know About Being Arrested by the Police
The first caution that a defendant should know about being arrested by law enforcement is not to say anything. The individual will always have a chance to speak later and to request an attorney at the first opportunity. The first opportunity for a person to seek legal assistance would be at the commissioner phase of the booking process.
The process after the individual is arrested is to take them into the station for booking. An intake will be done and they will be asked a series of informational questions. This could include their:
- Address
- Place of employment
- Where their children are
- If they are a citizen
- Background information
At that point, the individual will typically see a commissioner. It could take several hours before this occurs. The commissioner is a public servant and not a judge or an attorney. Based on the intake, the commissioner will determine whether and when a person should be released, held on bond, or held without bond. Given the potential ramifications of gun arrests and arraignments in Prince George’s County, individuals may benefit greatly from seeking help from a seasoned defense attorney.
Understanding the Arraignment Process
During an arraignment in Circuit Court for gun charges, a judge typically does not consider bond or any release of an accused. Rather, in gun arraignments, a judge will advise the accused as to their charges, advises them of any future court date, and most importantly advises an accused to get an attorney. Although bails are not generally contemplated during arraignments, a skilled gun lawyer may be able to file the appropriate motion in order to include a bail review to procure the release of an individual being confined.
Being Considered a Danger to the Public Under PG County Law
There are two factors a judge or commissioner considers in determining whether to release a defendant with
In determining whether a person is a danger to the community, judges will look at several things. This could include any history of violence the person may have. Judges may also look to see whether the accused has any prior assaults, sex offenses, or anything that could suggest a danger to the public. Then, they will look at the nature of the new charge, whether it was a violent crime and whether there were any alleged victims. If the police find a gun on someone during a traffic stop, the judge or commissioner will want to know whether anyone was assaulted with it, whether there is a need to protect the public, or of someone must be protected from the gun possessor’s retribution or intimidation. These factors could make it less likely the defendant would be released.
Call to Learn More About Gun Arrests and Arraingments in Prince George’s County
Individuals arrested for a gun offense should call a lawyer as soon as possible. It means the accused has a defense and has paid an attorney to defend against the charge. The attorney could also present the counterpoints. If a person failed to appear at court, a lawyer could explain that it was not of their own volition. The defendant may have been sick, were in a hospital, and there may be evidence to refute some of the allegations of why the person is a flight risk. Only an attorney could be able to advocate for the person in a meaningful way. Therefore, if you are facing a gun arraignment, contact a lawyer who is knowledgeble about Prince George’s County gun arrests and arraingments.