Baltimore Unlawful Discharge Lawyer
Baltimore police and prosecutors take gun crimes very seriously. Even if a gun is not aimed at someone, bullets can travel long distances and put the public in danger. If you have been charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, you could face serious penalties. A Baltimore unlawful discharge lawyer could help you build a defense against these charges and fight for a favorable outcome in your case. Call an experienced defense attorney today to discuss your case.
Firing a Gun Legally in Baltimore
The most common way to discharge a firearm lawfully is to be at a gun range. Gun ranges are supervised and are specifically designed for handguns or other guns to be discharged without endangering anyone. A gun range is the safest place to fire a gun. Firing into the ground on one’s own private property could be legal in some cases, but it is not well-received when it disturbs neighbors
Examples of Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm
Unlawful discharge of a firearm can occur outside of a firing range or targeting range. If a person is not hunting, it is often unlawful to discharge their firearm. For example, when a person is in an argument and fires a gun in the air, it is not acceptable because there is no way of knowing where the bullet will come down. It is common in Baltimore City and during the holidays for a stray bullet to come down and hurts someone. A person who discharges a firearm into the air endangers the greater public. The basic responsibilities to fire a firearm are that it is done in a location where the firearm can be used safely and does not endanger another person or the public.
Penalties
The penalty for unlawful discharge of a firearm depends on where the gun discharges. These penalties are dictated by the county and the state. For example, the penalties could be different for cases which involve a local ordinance, take place at a school, or be an accidental discharge.
Gun-Free Zones
In gun-free zones, the penalties may change depending on the local area. Discharging a firearm at a school, for example, is a serious offense.
Defense Strategies in Unlawful Discharge Cases
For unlawful discharge to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, the prosecution must prove in court that the firearm did discharge, and it discharged while it was in the possession of a specific person. It must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused individual pulled the trigger. The prosecution also needs an eye-witness who can identify the person who fired or discharged the firearm.
The defense strategy in an unlawful discharge case will depend on the specific circumstances of the incident. For example, there could be a situation in which the gun was stored poorly and discharged inside its container. The Baltimore unlawful discharge lawyer could argue that there may have been a malfunction of the gun when it was not in anyone’s possession because of the way it was stored. In this case, the possibility that the gun fired accidentally could provide reasonable doubt.
Contacting a Baltimore Unlawful Discharge Attorney
If you have been charged with unlawful discharge, you should reach out to an experienced defense attorney. A Baltimore unlawful discharge lawyer could negotiate with the prosecutor to mitigate the penalties you face, and if necessary, they could defend you in court. Call today to schedule a consultation.