Towson, Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyers The Herbst Firm HomeGun Offender Registry (GORA) Violations
In addition to being placed on probation and or serving a jail sentence, some Maryland jurisdictions such as Baltimore City and Prince George’s County require defendants convicted of firearms offenses to register as gun offenders. These laws are not part of the Maryland state criminal code, but rather are local ordinances, that were enacted by the city or county governments. The gun offender registry act or GORA may be a local ordinance but it must be taken seriously, as any violation could result in an additional criminal conviction and the potential for jail time, fines and supervised probation. GORA charges also frequently trigger probation violations, for those who are serving sentences for their gun charges. If you or a loved one has been charged with a gun offender registry act violation, contact Maryland criminal defense attorney Benjamin Herbst anytime for a free consultation. Benjamin specializes in GORA violations and is standing by to fight for you in Baltimore and Prince George’s County.
GORA violations in Baltimore City are listed under subtitle 60 of the police ordinances section of the city code. This section also punishes other acts such as the carrying of weapons within the city, consuming alcohol in public and possession of drugs. GORA violations are perhaps the most serious of these code violations because they carry up to a year in jail for each day of the violation. The law requires a anyone convicted of a qualifying gun crime to report in person at the police station every 6 months for 5 years, and allows a 20-day window for when the meeting must take place. Appearing after the 20-day window could trigger a violation, as could moving without providing notice. Defendants who do not live in Baltimore City are only required to attend the initial in-person registration, but anyone who moves to the city must then appear until the 5-year period runs.
Gun violence in Baltimore City has shown no signs of slowing down, and as a result there is a great deal of pressure on local officials to act. This is true even if their so called actions are not effective at actually reducing gun violence. Many individuals charged with GORA violations are non-violent offenders who were only carrying for personal protection. Others are simply victims of Maryland’s over aggressive handgun laws regarding wear, transport or carrying on person or in vehicles. The gun offender registry sounds like action to outsiders, but in reality its deterrent value is nominal. The same is true in Prince George’s County, where D.C. metro gun violence has forced local officials and prosecutors to enact policies that sound more effective than they are. Benjamin understands that these unfair laws can tear families apart and cause a great deal of pain for the defendant and his or her loved ones. He is standing by to represent anyone charged with a GORA violation in Baltimore City and in Prince George’s County.
Benjamin Herbst is a Maryland gun crime lawyer who fights for all individuals charged with offenses such as illegal possession of a firearm and handgun in vehicle or on person. He specializes in gun offender violations and understands that any type of criminal charge can have a major impact on a person’s life. GORA charges often result in probation violations and the risk of a prior offender going back to prison, but Benjamin Herbst fights to assure this does not happen. Contact Benjamin anytime at 410-207-2598 for a free consultation about your gun charge, and learn what defenses are available in your case.
GORA violations in Baltimore City are listed under subtitle 60 of the police ordinances section of the city code. This section also punishes other acts such as the carrying of weapons within the city, consuming alcohol in public and possession of drugs. GORA violations are perhaps the most serious of these code violations because they carry up to a year in jail for each day of the violation. The law requires a anyone convicted of a qualifying gun crime to report in person at the police station every 6 months for 5 years, and allows a 20-day window for when the meeting must take place. Appearing after the 20-day window could trigger a violation, as could moving without providing notice. Defendants who do not live in Baltimore City are only required to attend the initial in-person registration, but anyone who moves to the city must then appear until the 5-year period runs.
Gun violence in Baltimore City has shown no signs of slowing down, and as a result there is a great deal of pressure on local officials to act. This is true even if their so called actions are not effective at actually reducing gun violence. Many individuals charged with GORA violations are non-violent offenders who were only carrying for personal protection. Others are simply victims of Maryland’s over aggressive handgun laws regarding wear, transport or carrying on person or in vehicles. The gun offender registry sounds like action to outsiders, but in reality its deterrent value is nominal. The same is true in Prince George’s County, where D.C. metro gun violence has forced local officials and prosecutors to enact policies that sound more effective than they are. Benjamin understands that these unfair laws can tear families apart and cause a great deal of pain for the defendant and his or her loved ones. He is standing by to represent anyone charged with a GORA violation in Baltimore City and in Prince George’s County.
Benjamin Herbst is a Maryland gun crime lawyer who fights for all individuals charged with offenses such as illegal possession of a firearm and handgun in vehicle or on person. He specializes in gun offender violations and understands that any type of criminal charge can have a major impact on a person’s life. GORA charges often result in probation violations and the risk of a prior offender going back to prison, but Benjamin Herbst fights to assure this does not happen. Contact Benjamin anytime at 410-207-2598 for a free consultation about your gun charge, and learn what defenses are available in your case.
