Gun crimes in Maryland may be dealt with harshly so the defendant learns a lesson about their actions with a gun. If your child is the one facing a gun charge, a few factors may affect what happens to them.
Your child took a gun from your house and took it to school. When the gun was spotted by another student, that student informed school administrators.
Gun laws are strict for a reason
While every state in the United States may be protected by the Second Amendment, other laws written and signed by Maryland legislators and the governor may treat violations of gun laws in a severe way, so citizens and visitors are safe.
If your child does not have a criminal record, they may receive a lighter sentence. The type of criminal charge they are facing may affect this—if the criminal charge is more serious, the penalty your child receives may be more severe.
A gun crime may be either a misdemeanor or a felony
In Maryland, gun crimes may be classified as either a misdemeanor or as a felony. If your child is convicted of a misdemeanor, their sentence may be lighter. If the police classified their crime as a felony, their sentence may be heavier.
All schools in the United States treat a gun offense with an automatic expulsion policy for students caught with guns on campus.
What may happen to your child after they are caught with a gun on-campus
Students in special education may be protected by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If your child is in special education, they may be moved to a different setting for several weeks.
If your child’s possession of the gun on-campus was not affected by their disability, they may be treated in the same manner as a student in regular classes.