Posts Tagged ‘Conviction’
Reckless Driving & Speeding Ticket Defense In Virginia
Former Prosecutors & Police Officers
If you were one of the unfortunate drivers to get a speeding ticket or a reckless driving ticket in Virginia this past weekend, don’t feel bad.
The Virginia police were handing out traffic tickets on Interstate 95 (I-95) & Interstate 81 (I-81) like they were giving out candy.
Approximately 6995 other people got tickets for reckless driving, speeding or some other moving violation on Interstate 95 (I-95) & Interstate 81 (I-81).
Virginia has some of the most severe reckless driving laws in Virginia. As pointed out in the article below, the maximum fine for a reckless driving ticket in Virginia is $2500. Also, a reckless driving ticket in Virginia is not just a simple speeding ticket. It is a criminal offense.
A conviction for a reckless driving ticket in Virginia can cause you to lose your job, your security clearance and your license.
If you have gotten a speeding ticket, reckless driving ticket or a moving violation in Virginia, contact the SRIS Law Group Virginia traffic lawyers for help.
Most of our Virginia traffic lawyers are former prosecutors and police officers.
We can defend you in Traffic Court and help you either beat the traffic ticket or mitigate the penalties.
Call us today for help.
FORMER PROSECUTORS & POLICE OFFICERS
DEFENDING SEXUAL BATTERY CRIMES IN VIRGINIA
Just because a person is accused of a sex crime does not mean that they are guilty of the charge nor does it mean they are going to jail.
However, a sex crime conviction in Virginia can result in severe penalties if the client is not defended properly. Some of the most commonly charged sex crimes in Virginia are object sexual penetration, aggravated sexual battery & sexual battery.
If you are charged with a sex crime violation in Virginia, you need experienced sex crimes defense attorneys to defend you.
The SRIS Law Group has a history of defending clients charged with sex crimes in Virginia. Our former prosecutors & police officers have successfully defended clients charged with sex crimes in Virginia.
No honest lawyer can give you a guarantee as to the outcome of your case. However, experience counts when defending sex crimes.
We have offices in Fairfax, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Lynchburg, Manassas & Fredericksburg to better serve you.
Two guarantee a SRIS Law Group Virginia criminal defense lawyer will give you:
- We guarantee we will do our best to defend you
- We will do our best to keep you updated as to the status of your case. We will do our best to return all phone calls within 8 hours.
You cannot take a chance when your future is on the line.
The following are some of the different sex crimes we defend in Virginia:
- 18.2-67.2. Object sexual penetration; penalty.
- 18.2-67.3. Aggravated sexual battery; penalty.
- 18.2-67.4. Sexual battery.
- 18.2-67.5. Attempted rape, forcible sodomy, object sexual penetration, aggravated sexual battery, and sexual battery.
- 18.2-67.5:2. Punishment upon conviction of certain subsequent felony sexual assault.
- 18.2-67.5:3. Punishment upon conviction of certain subsequent violent felony sexual assault.
18.2-67.2. Object sexual penetration; penalty.
A. An accused shall be guilty of inanimate or animate object sexual penetration if he or she penetrates the labia majora or anus of a complaining witness, whether or not his or her spouse, other than for a bona fide medical purpose, or causes such complaining witness to so penetrate his or her own body with an object or causes a complaining witness, whether or not his or her spouse, to engage in such acts with any other person or to penetrate, or to be penetrated by, an animal, and
1. The complaining witness is less than 13 years of age, or
2. The act is accomplished against the will of the complaining witness, by force, threat or intimidation of or against the complaining witness or another person, or through the use of the complaining witness’s mental incapacity or physical helplessness.
B. Inanimate or animate object sexual penetration is a felony punishable by confinement in the state correctional facility for life or for any term not less than five years. The penalty for a violation of subdivision A 1 where the offender is more than three years older than the victim, if done in the commission of, or as part of the same course of conduct as, or as part of a common scheme or plan as a violation of (i) subsection A of 18.2-47 or 18.2-48, (ii) 18.2-89, 18.2-90 or 18.2-91, or (iii) 18.2-51.2, shall include a mandatory minimum term of confinement of 25 years. If the term of confinement imposed for any violation of subdivision A 1, where the offender is more than three years older than the victim, is for a term less than life imprisonment, the judge shall impose, in addition to any active sentence, a suspended sentence of no less than 40 years. This suspended sentence shall be suspended for the remainder of the defendant’s life, subject to revocation by the court.
In any case deemed appropriate by the court, all or part of any sentence imposed for a violation under this section against a spouse may be suspended upon the defendant’s completion of counseling or therapy, if not already provided, in the manner prescribed under 19.2-218.1 if, after consideration of the views of the complaining witness and such other evidence as may be relevant, the court finds such action will promote maintenance of the family unit and will be in the best interest of the complaining witness.
C. Upon a finding of guilt under this section, when a spouse is the complaining witness in any case tried by the court without a jury, the court, without entering a judgment of guilt, upon motion of the defendant who has not previously had a proceeding against him for violation of this section dismissed pursuant to this subsection and with the consent of the complaining witness and the attorney for the Commonwealth, may defer further proceedings and place the defendant on probation pending completion of counseling or therapy, if not already provided, in the manner prescribed under 19.2-218.1. If the defendant fails to so complete such counseling or therapy, the court may make final disposition of the case and proceed as otherwise provided. If such counseling is completed as prescribed under 19.2-218.1, the court may discharge the defendant and dismiss the proceedings against him if, after consideration of the views of the complaining witness and such other evidence as may be relevant, the court finds such action will promote maintenance of the family unit and be in the best interest of the complaining witness.
18.2-67.3. Aggravated sexual battery; penalty.
A. An accused shall be guilty of aggravated sexual battery if he or she sexually abuses the complaining witness, and
1. The complaining witness is less than 13 years of age, or
2. The act is accomplished through the use of the complaining witness’s mental incapacity or physical helplessness, or
3. The offense is committed by a parent, step-parent, grandparent, or step-grandparent and the complaining witness is at least 13 but less than 18 years of age, or
4. The act is accomplished against the will of the complaining witness by force, threat or intimidation, and
a. The complaining witness is at least 13 but less than 15 years of age, or
b. The accused causes serious bodily or mental injury to the complaining witness, or
c. The accused uses or threatens to use a dangerous weapon.
B. Aggravated sexual battery is a felony punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for a term of not less than one nor more than 20 years and by a fine of not more than $100,000.
18.2-67.4. Sexual battery.
A. An accused is guilty of sexual battery if he sexually abuses, as defined in 18.2-67.10, (i) the complaining witness against the will of the complaining witness, by force, threat, intimidation, or ruse, (ii) an inmate who has been committed to jail or convicted and sentenced to confinement in a state or local correctional facility or regional jail, and the accused is an employee or contractual employee of, or a volunteer with, the state or local correctional facility or regional jail; is in a position of authority over the inmate; and knows that the inmate is under the jurisdiction of the state or local correctional facility or regional jail, or (iii) a probationer, parolee, or a pretrial or post trial offender under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections, a local community-based probation program, a pretrial services program, a local or regional jail for the purposes of imprisonment, a work program or any other parole/probationary or pretrial services program and the accused is an employee or contractual employee of, or a volunteer with, the Department of Corrections, a local community-based probation program, a pretrial services program or a local or regional jail; is in a position of authority over an offender; and knows that the offender is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections, a local community-based probation program, a pretrial services program or a local or regional jail.
B. Sexual battery is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
18.2-67.5. Attempted rape, forcible sodomy, object sexual penetration, aggravated sexual battery, and sexual battery.
A. An attempt to commit rape, forcible sodomy, or inanimate or animate object sexual penetration shall be punishable as a Class 4 felony.
B. An attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery shall be a felony punishable as a Class 6 felony.
C. An attempt to commit sexual battery is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
18.2-67.5:1. Punishment upon conviction of third misdemeanor offense.
When a person is convicted of sexual battery in violation of 18.2-67.4, attempted sexual battery in violation of subsection C of 18.2-67.5, a violation of 18.2-371 involving consensual intercourse with a child, indecent exposure of himself or procuring another to expose himself in violation of 18.2-387, or a violation of 18.2-130, and it is alleged in the warrant, information or indictment on which the person is convicted and found by the court or jury trying the case that the person has previously been convicted within the ten-year period immediately preceding the offense charged of two or more of the offenses specified in this section, each such offense occurring on a different date, he shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.
18.2-67.5:2. Punishment upon conviction of certain subsequent felony sexual assault.
A. Any person convicted of (i) more than one offense specified in subsection B or (ii) one of the offenses specified in subsection B of this section and one of the offenses specified in subsection B of 18.2-67.5:3 when such offenses were not part of a common act, transaction or scheme, and who has been at liberty as defined in 53.1-151 between each conviction shall, upon conviction of the second or subsequent such offense, be sentenced to the maximum term authorized by statute for such offense, and shall not have all or any part of such sentence suspended, provided it is admitted, or found by the jury or judge before whom the person is tried, that he has been previously convicted of at least one of the specified offenses.
B. The provisions of subsection A shall apply to felony convictions for:
1. Carnal knowledge of a child between thirteen and fifteen years of age in violation of 18.2-63 when the offense is committed by a person over the age of eighteen;
2. Carnal knowledge of certain minors in violation of 18.2-64.1;
3. Aggravated sexual battery in violation of 18.2-67.3;
4. Crimes against nature in violation of subsection B of 18.2-361;
5. Adultery or fornication with one’s own child or grandchild in violation of 18.2-366;
6. Taking indecent liberties with a child in violation of 18.2-370 or 18.2-370.1; or
7. Conspiracy to commit any offense listed in subdivisions 1 through 6 pursuant to 18.2-22.
C. For purposes of this section, prior convictions shall include (i) adult convictions for felonies under the laws of any state or the United States that are substantially similar to those listed in subsection B and (ii) findings of not innocent, adjudications or convictions in the case of a juvenile if the juvenile offense is substantially similar to those listed in subsection B, the offense would be a felony if committed by an adult in the Commonwealth and the offense was committed less than twenty years before the second offense.
The Commonwealth shall notify the defendant in writing, at least thirty days prior to trial, of its intention to seek punishment pursuant to this section.
18.2-67.5:3. Punishment upon conviction of certain subsequent violent felony sexual assault.
A. Any person convicted of more than one offense specified in subsection B, when such offenses were not part of a common act, transaction or scheme, and who has been at liberty as defined in 53.1-151 between each conviction shall, upon conviction of the second or subsequent such offense, be sentenced to life imprisonment and shall not have all or any portion of the sentence suspended, provided it is admitted, or found by the jury or judge before whom he is tried, that he has been previously convicted of at least one of the specified offenses.
B. The provisions of subsection A shall apply to convictions for:
1. Rape in violation of 18.2-61;
2. Forcible sodomy in violation of 18.2-67.1;
3. Object sexual penetration in violation of 18.2-67.2;
4. Abduction with intent to defile in violation of 18.2-48; or
5. Conspiracy to commit any offense listed in subdivisions 1 through 4 pursuant to 18.2-22.
C. For purposes of this section, prior convictions shall include (i) adult convictions for felonies under the laws of any state or the United States that are substantially similar to those listed in subsection B and (ii) findings of not innocent, adjudications or convictions in the case of a juvenile if the juvenile offense is substantially similar to those listed in subsection B, the offense would be a felony if committed by an adult in the Commonwealth and the offense was committed less than twenty years before the second offense.
The Commonwealth shall notify the defendant in writing, at least thirty days prior to trial, of its intention to seek punishment pursuant to this section.
Evidence was sufficient to support defendant’s grand larceny conviction as defendant stole two laptop computers and personal digital assistant. Jury could conclude in light of purchase prices and dates that they were valued at more than $ 200.
A Larceny/theft offense is a very serious crime.
The SRIS Law Group Virginia Larceny/theft attorneys can defend you against any type of Larceny/theft charge.
Our Virginia Larceny/theft lawyers have the experience to defend you against any type of Larceny/theft charge.
Contact a SRIS Law Group Virginia Larceny/theft lawyer in Virginia.
Class 1 Felony to Class 6 Felony & Penalties In Virginia
What is the penalty for a Class 1 Felony In Virginia?
The maximum penalty for a Class 1 Felony in Virginia is death or imprisonment for life and $100000 fine.
If you are facing felony charges in Virginia and want to know the penalty for a felony charge in Virginia, contact the SRIS Law Group Virginia Felony lawyers for help.
Virginia Code 18.2-10 lists the different felony charges in Virginia
VA Penal Code 18.2-10. Punishment for conviction of felony; penalty:
The authorized punishments for conviction of a felony in Virginia are:
(a) For Class 1 felonies, death, if the person so convicted was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense and is not determined to be mentally retarded pursuant to § 19.2-264.3:1.1, or imprisonment for life and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000. If the person was under 18 years of age at the time of the offense or is determined to be mentally retarded pursuant to § 19.2-264.3:1.1, the punishment shall be imprisonment for life and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000.
(b) For Class 2 felonies, imprisonment for life or for any term not less than 20 years and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000.
(c) For Class 3 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than 20 years and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000.
(d) For Class 4 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than 10 years and, subject to subdivision (g), a fine of not more than $100,000.
(e) For Class 5 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than 10 years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
(f) For Class 6 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
(g) Except as specifically authorized in subdivision (e) or (f), or in Class 1 felonies for which a sentence of death is imposed, the court shall impose either a sentence of imprisonment together with a fine, or imprisonment only. However, if the defendant is not a natural person, the court shall impose only a fine.
For any felony offense committed (i) on or after January 1, 1995, the court may, and (ii) on or after July 1, 2000, shall, except in cases in which the court orders a suspended term of confinement of at least six months, impose an additional term of not less than six months nor more than three years, which shall be suspended conditioned upon successful completion of a period of post-release supervision pursuant to § 19.2-295.2 and compliance with such other terms as the sentencing court may require. However, such additional term may only be imposed when the sentence includes an active term of incarceration in a correctional facility.
For a felony offense prohibiting proximity to children as described in subsection A of § 18.2-370.2, the sentencing court is authorized to impose the punishment set forth in that section in addition to any other penalty provided by law.
For a misdemeanor offense prohibiting proximity to children as described in subsection A of 18.2-370.2, the sentencing court is authorized to impose the punishment set forth in subsection B of that section in addition to any other penalty provided by law.
What is the penalty for a Class 1 Misdemeanor In Virginia?
The maximum penalty for a Class 1 Misdemeanor in Virginia is 12 months in jail and $2500 fine.
It is hard to believe that the penalty for an offense like reckless driving in Virginia is a Class 1 Misdemeanor & carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail.
If you are facing misdemeanor charges in Virginia and want to know the penalty for a misdemeanor charge in Virginia, contact the SRIS Law Group Virginia misdemeanor lawyers for help.
Virginia Code 18.2-11 lists the different misdemeanor charges in Virginia.
VA Penal Code 18.2-11. Punishment for conviction of misdemeanor:
The authorized punishments for conviction of a misdemeanor are:
(a) For Class 1 misdemeanors, confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
(b) For Class 2 misdemeanors, confinement in jail for not more than six months and a fine of not more than $1,000, either or both.
(c) For Class 3 misdemeanors, a fine of not more than $500.
(d) For Class 4 misdemeanors, a fine of not more than $250.
For a misdemeanor offense prohibiting proximity to children as described in subsection A of 18.2-370.2, the sentencing court is authorized to impose the punishment set forth in subsection B of that section in addition to any other penalty provided by law.
MAN FACES CHARGES IN 1999 NEWARK HOME INVASION
A 34-year-old man was indicted in a home invasion committed more than 10 years ago.
Burglary is a very serious crime in Virginia.
The SRIS Law Group Virginia burglary attorneys can defend you against any type of assault charge.
Our Virginia burglary lawyers have the experience to defend you against any type of burglary charge.
Contact a SRIS Law Group Virginia burglary lawyer in Virginia.
MAN’S 30-YEAR SENTENCE OVERTURNED ON APPEAL
A Baltimore man’s 30-year combined federal sentence, once held up as a major law enforcement success, was overturned Friday, along with two of his three convictions when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit Court ruled that Collin Hawkins deserved another day in court.
It is very important to have the best federal criminal defense possible when facing a federal criminal charge.
The SRIS Law Group Maryland federal criminal defense attorneys can defend you against any type of federal criminal charge.
Our Maryland federal criminal defense lawyers have the experience to defend you against any type of federal criminal charge.
Contact a SRIS Law Group Maryland federal criminal defense lawyer in Maryland.
Maryland Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers Attorneys
What are some of the possible consequences of underage possession of alcohol in Virginia?
This is a Class 1 Misdemeanor In Virginia. A Virginia Class 1 Misdemeanor is the highest misdemeanor offense in Virginia.
The maximum penalty is a 1 year loss of driver’s license, up to 12 months in jail, up to $2500 in fines.
Some of the other consequences of underage possession of alcohol is having to take a Virginia ASAP Class, being kicked out of school or college and having a criminal record.
Do not think a conviction for underage possession of alcohol in Virginia is a simple slap on the wrist.
If you have been charged with Underage Possession of Alcohol in Virginia, contact the SRIS Law Group Virginia criminal defense lawyers immediately.
MASSACHUSETTS CRIMINAL LARCENY, MASSACHUSETTS SHOPLIFTING & MASSACHUSETTS EMBEZZLEMENT DEFENSE ATTORNEYS
DEFENDING CLIENTS CHARGED WITH THEFT CRIMES IN MASSACHUSETTS
No one wants the stigma of being called a thief following them around for the rest of their life. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens if you are convicted of larceny in Massachusetts, embezzlement in Massachusetts, shoplifting in Massachusetts or plain and simple theft in Massachusetts. Today, almost every employer in Massachusetts wants to know whether you have ever been convicted of a larceny in Massachusetts or embezzlement in Massachusetts. This is especially true if you are seeking employment where you will be handling money. A conviction for any kind of Massachusetts larceny, Massachusetts embezzlement, Massachusetts shoplifting can stop you dead in your tracks if you are applying to a college or university. A lot of people in Massachusetts think that if you are convicted of shoplifting of some petty item, then it is not a big deal to plead guilty because there is little or no jail time at stake. What many people do not realize is that this conviction will be follow them for the rest of their lives. We cannot begin to tell you the number of clients in Massachusetts, that contact us trying to have their criminal record erased for a minor theft crime they committed when they were young and is now hindering them for getting any kind of decent job. Don’t let this happen to you. The SRIS, P.C. Massachusetts criminal defense attorneys who defend clients charged larceny in Massachusetts, embezzlement in Massachusetts or shoplifting in Massachusetts recognize the implication of being convicted of this type of an offense. If you have been charged with a theft offense in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts law offices of SRIS, P.C. have a number of excellent Massachusetts larceny lawyers & Massachusetts shoplifting attorneys & Massachusetts embezzlement defense lawyers in its office in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information or to make an appointment with SRIS, P.C., please call, send an e-mail or complete the on-line form, or call us at our toll free number (888-437-7747).
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE:
101 Federal Street, Suite 1900
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Phone: 888-437-7747
To obtain a general overview of criminal larceny, shoplifting & embezzlement, please click here.
To learn more about the laws pertaining to criminal larceny, shoplifting & embezzlement in Virginia or Maryland, please click on the state.
Below are some of the different types of the Larceny/Shoplifting/Embezzlement laws in the State of Massachusetts:
LARCENY/SHOPLIFTING/EMBEZZLEMENT CRIMES IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS
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Stealing in trucks, tractors, trailers or freight containers
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Stolen property; refusal to surrender
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Embezzlement of property at fire; effect
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Stealing at a fire; punishment
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Larceny by stealing; punishment; victim sixty-five or older; minimum sentence for repeat offenders
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Motor vehicle or trailer; theft or concealment; operation without owner’s consent after revocation of license; penalty
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Larceny; general provisions and penalties
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Shoplifting; penalty; arrest without warrant
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Signature; obtaining under false pretenses
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Fraudulent conversion of property by captain of vessel
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Larceny; false pretences relating to contracts, banking transactions or credit
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Obtaining computer services by fraud or misrepresentation; penalties
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Larceny; inducement to part with property
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Non-applicability of Secs. 30, 31 and 34
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Fraudulent checks, etc.; drawing or uttering
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Misuse of credit cards; definitions
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Misuse of credit cards; penalties; multiple possession, presumption; arrest
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Fraudulent use of credit cards to obtain money, goods or services; false embossment of credit cards, multiple possession, presumption; arrest
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Publishing credit card numbering or coding systems
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Use of personal identification of another; identity fraud; penalty; restitution
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Common and notorious thief
MA Code Section 20B. Stealing in trucks, tractors, trailers or freight containers (top)
Section 20B. Whoever steals in a truck, tractor/trailer unit, trailer, semi-trailer or freight container shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment in jail for not more than two years.
MA Code Section 21. Stolen property; refusal to surrender (top)
Section 21. Whoever, having been convicted, either as principal or accessory, of burglary or robbery, or of any of the crimes described in sections seventeen to twenty, inclusive, of chapter two hundred and sixty-five, or of breaking and entering or of entering a building with intent to commit robbery or larceny, has in his possession or control money, goods, bonds or bank notes, or any paper of value, or any property of another, which was obtained or taken by means of such crime, and, upon being requested by the lawful owner thereof to deliver the same to him, refuses or fails so to do while having power to deliver the same, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or in jail or house of correction for not more than two years.
MA Code Section 23. Embezzlement of property at fire; effect (top)
Section 23. Whoever steals, conveys away or conceals any furniture, goods, chattels, merchandise or effects of persons whose houses or buildings are on fire or are endangered thereby, and does not, within two days thereafter, restore the same or give notice of his possession thereof to the owner, if known, or, if unknown, to the mayor or one of the aldermen, selectmen or firewards of the place, shall be guilty of larceny.
MA Code Section 24. Stealing at a fire; punishment (top)
Section 24. Whoever steals in a building which is on fire, or steals property which has been removed in consequence of an alarm caused by fire, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars and imprisonment in jail for not more than two years.
MA Code Section 25. Larceny by stealing; punishment; victim sixty-five or older; minimum sentence for repeat offenders (top)
Section 25. (a) Whoever commits larceny by stealing from the person of a person sixty-five years or older shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or in jail for not more than two and one-half years.
Whoever, after having been convicted of said crime commits a second or subsequent such crime, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two years. Said sentence shall not be reduced until one year of said sentence has been served nor shall the person convicted be eligible for probation, parole, furlough, work release or receive any deduction from his sentence for good conduct until he shall have served one year of such sentence; provided, however, that the commissioner of correction may, on the recommendation of the warden, superintendent, or other person in charge of a correctional institution, or the administrator of a county correctional institution, grant to said offender a temporary release in the custody of an officer of such institution for the following purposes only: to attend the funeral of next of kin or spouse; to visit a critically ill close relative or spouse; or to obtain emergency medical services unavailable at said institution. The provisions of section eighty-seven of chapter two hundred and seventy-six relating to the power of the court to place certain offenders on probation shall not apply to any person seventeen years of age or over charged with a violation of this subsection.
(b) Whoever commits larceny by stealing from the person of another shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or in jail for not more than two and one-half years.
MA Code Section 28. Motor vehicle or trailer; theft or concealment; operation without owner’s consent after revocation of license; penalty (top)
Section 28. (a) Whoever steals a motor vehicle or trailer, whoever maliciously damages a motor vehicle or trailer, whoever buys, receives, possesses, conceals, or obtains control of a motor vehicle or trailer, knowing or having reason to know the same to have been stolen, or whoever takes a motor vehicle without the authority of the owner and steals from it any of its parts or accessories, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than fifteen years or by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than two and one-half years or by a fine of not more than fifteen thousand dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Evidence that an identifying number or numbers of a motor vehicle or trailer or part thereof has been intentionally and maliciously removed, defaced, altered, changed, destroyed, obliterated, or mutilated, shall be prima facie evidence that the defendant knew or had reason to know that the motor vehicle, or trailer or part thereof had been stolen.
A prosecution commenced under this subdivision shall not be placed on file or continued without a finding and the sentence imposed upon a person convicted of violating this subdivision for a second or subsequent offense shall not be reduced to less than one year imprisonment, nor shall any sentence imposed upon any person be suspended, or reduced, until such person shall have served one year of such sentence if convicted of a second or subsequent such offense.
A person convicted of a second or subsequent offense of violating the provisions of this subdivision shall not be eligible for probation, parole, furlough or work release; provided, however that the commissioner of correction may, on the recommendation of warden, superintendent, or other person in charge of a correctional institution, or the administrator of a county correctional institution, grant to said offender a temporary release in the custody of an officer of such institution for the following purposes: to attend the funeral of next of kin or spouse; to visit a critically ill close relative or spouse; or to obtain emergency medical services unavailable at said institution.
(b) Whoever conceals any motor vehicle or trailer thief knowing him to be such, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than ten years or by imprisonment in jail or house of correction for not more than two and one-half years or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars, or both.
(c) A conviction of a violation of this section or any adjudication that a person is a delinquent child by reason thereof shall be reported forthwith by the court or magistrate to the registrar of motor vehicles who shall revoke immediately the license to operate motor vehicles or the right to operate motor vehicles of the person so convicted or adjudged, and no appeal, motion for new trial or exceptions shall operate to stay the revocation of such license or right to operate. The registrar of motor vehicles after having revoked the license or right to operate of any such person so convicted or adjudged shall issue a new license or reinstate such right to operate, if the prosecution of such person is finally terminated in his favor; otherwise, no new license shall be issued nor shall such right to operate be reinstated until one year after the date of revocation following his original conviction or adjudication if for a first offense, or until five years after the date of revocation following any subsequent conviction or adjudication.
MA Code Section 30. Larceny; general provisions and penalties (top)
Section 30. (1) Whoever steals, or with intent to defraud obtains by a false pretence, or whoever unlawfully, and with intent to steal or embezzle, converts, or secretes with intent to convert, the property of another as defined in this section, whether such property is or is not in his possession at the time of such conversion or secreting, shall be guilty of larceny, and shall, if the property stolen is a firearm, as defined in section one hundred and twenty-one of chapter one hundred and forty, or, if the value of the property stolen exceeds two hundred and fifty dollars, be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years, or by a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars and imprisonment in jail for not more than two years; or, if the value of the property stolen, other than a firearm as so defined, does not exceed two hundred and fifty dollars, shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year or by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars; or, if the property was stolen from the conveyance of a common carrier or of a person carrying on an express business, shall be punished for the first offence by imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than two and one half years, or by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than six hundred dollars, or both, and for a subsequent offence, by imprisonment for not less than eighteen months nor more than two and one half years, or by a fine of not less than one hundred and fifty nor more than six hundred dollars, or both.
(2) The term “property”, as used in the section, shall include money, personal chattels, a bank note, bond, promissory note, bill of exchange or other bill, order or certificate, a book of accounts for or concerning money or goods due or to become due or to be delivered, a deed or writing containing a conveyance of land, any valuable contract in force, a receipt, release or defeasance, a writ, process, certificate of title or duplicate certificate issued under chapter one hundred and eighty-five, a public record, anything which is of the realty or is annexed thereto, a security deposit received pursuant to section fifteen B of chapter one hundred and eighty-six, electronically processed or stored data, either tangible or intangible, data while in transit, telecommunications services, and any domesticated animal, including dogs, or a beast or bird which is ordinarily kept in confinement.
(3) The stealing of real property may be a larceny from one or more tenants, sole, joint or in common, in fee, for life or years, at will or sufferance, mortgagors or mortgagees, in possession of the same, or who may have an action of tort against the offender for trespass upon the property, but not from one having only the use or custody thereof. The larceny may be from a wife in possession, if she is authorized by law to hold such property as if sole, otherwise her occupation may be the possession of the husband. If such property which was of a person deceased is stolen, it may be a larceny from any one or more heirs, devisees, reversioners, remaindermen or others, who have a right upon such deceased to take possession, but not having entered, as it would be after entry. The larceny may be from a person whose name is unknown, if it would be such if the property stolen were personal, and may be committed by those who have only the use or custody of the property, but not by a person against whom no action of tort could be maintained for acts like those constituting the larceny.
(4) Whoever steals, or with intent to defraud obtains by a false pretense, or whoever unlawfully, and with intent to steal or embezzle, converts, secretes, unlawfully takes, carries away, conceals or copies with intent to convert any trade secret of another, regardless of value, whether such trade secret is or is not in his possession at the time of such conversion or secreting, shall be guilty of larceny, and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years, or by a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars and imprisonment in jail for not more than two years. The term “trade secret” as used in this paragraph means and includes anything tangible or intangible or electronically kept or stored, which constitutes, represents, evidences or records a secret scientific, technical, merchandising, production or management information, design, process, procedure, formula, invention or improvement.
(5) Whoever steals or with intent to defraud obtains by a false pretense, or whoever unlawfully, and with intent to steal or embezzle, converts, or secretes with intent to convert, the property of another, sixty years of age or older, or of a person with a disability as defined in section thirteen K of chapter two hundred and sixty-five, whether such property is or is not in his possession at the time of such conversion or secreting, shall be guilty of larceny, and shall, if the value of the property exceeds two hundred and fifty dollars, be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than ten years or in the house of correction for not more than two and one-half years, or by a fine of not more than fifty thousand dollars or by both such fine and imprisonment; or if the value of the property does not exceed two hundred and fifty dollars, shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than two and one-half years or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by both such fine and imprisonment. The court may order, regardless of the value of the property, restitution to be paid to the victim commensurate with the value of the property.
MA Code Section 30A. Shoplifting; penalty; arrest without warrant (top)
Section 30A. Any person who intentionally takes possession of, carries away, transfers or causes to be carried away or transferred, any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant of the possession, use of benefit of such merchandise or converting the same to the use of such person without paying to the merchant the value thereof; or
any person who intentionally conceals upon his person or otherwise any merchandise offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant of proceeds, use or benefit of such merchandise or converting the same to the use of such person without paying to the merchant the value thereof; or
any person who intentionally alters, transfers or removes any label, price tag or marking indicia of value or any other markings which aid in determining value affixed to any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment and to attempt to purchase such merchandise personally or in consort with another at less than the full retail value with the intention of depriving the merchant of all or some part of the retail value thereof; or
any person who intentionally transfers any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment from the container in or on which the same shall be displayed to any other container with intent to deprive the merchant of all or some part of the retail value thereof; or
any person who intentionally records a value for the merchandise which is less than the actual retail value with the intention of depriving the merchant of the full retail value thereof; or
any person who intentionally removes a shopping cart from the premises of a store or other retail mercantile establishment, without the consent of the merchant given at the time of such removal, with the intention of permanently depriving the merchant of the possession, use or benefit of such cart; and where the retail value of the goods obtained is less than one hundred dollars, shall be punished for a first offense by a fine not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars, for a second offense by a fine of not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars and for a third or subsequent offense by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment in a jail for not more than two years, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Where the retail value of the goods obtained equals or exceeds one hundred dollars, any violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than two and one-half years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
If the retail value of the goods obtained is less than one hundred dollars, this section shall apply to the exclusion of section thirty.
Law enforcement officers may arrest without warrant any person he has probable cause for believing has committed the offense of shoplifting as defined in this section. The statement of a merchant or his employee or agent that a person has violated a provision of this section shall constitute probable cause for arrest by any law enforcement officer authorized to make an arrest in such jurisdiction.
MA Code Section 31. Signature; obtaining under false pretenses (top)
Section 31. Whoever by a false pretence, with intent to defraud, obtains the signature of a person to a written instrument, the false making whereof would be a forgery, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than ten years, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars and imprisonment in the jail for not more than two years.
MA Code Section 32. Fraudulent conversion of property by captain of vessel (top)
Section 32. Whoever, being a captain of a vessel, embezzles or fraudulently converts or appropriates money, goods or property, held or possessed by or delivered to him, which belong wholly or in part to the crew of such vessel, the owners of the vessel, or to those who have furnished supplies to the vessel, although he is a joint charterer or co-partner with the members of the crew or with the owners of the vessel, or with the person who furnished the supplies, shall be guilty of larceny.
MA Code Section 33. Larceny; false pretences relating to contracts, banking transactions or credit (top)
Section 33. (1) Whoever, with intent to defraud, obtains by a false pretence the making, acceptance or endorsement of a bill of exchange or promissory note, the release or substitution of collateral or other security, an extension of time for the payment of an obligation, or the release or alteration of the obligation of a written contract, or (2) whoever, with intent to defraud, by a false statement in writing respecting the financial condition, or means or ability to pay, of himself or of any other person, obtains credit from any bank or trust company or any banking institution or any retail seller of goods or services accustomed to give credit in any form whatsoever shall be guilty of larceny.
MA Code Section 33A. Obtaining computer services by fraud or misrepresentation; penalties (top)
Section 33A. Whoever, with intent to defraud, obtains, or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets another in obtaining, any commercial computer service by false representation, false statement, unauthorized charging to the account of another, by installing or tampering with any facilities or equipment or by any other means, shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than two and one-half years or by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars, or both. As used in this section, the words “commercial computer service” shall mean the use of computers, computer systems, computer programs or computer networks, or the access to or copying of the data, where such use, access or copying is offered by the proprietor or operator of the computer, system, program, network or data to others on a subscription or other basis for monetary consideration.
MA Code Section 34. Larceny; inducement to part with property (top)
Section 34. Whoever, with intent to defraud and by a false pretence, induces another to part with property of any kind or with any of the benefits described in the preceding section shall be guilty of larceny.
MA Code Section 35. Non-applicability of Secs. 30, 31 and 34 (top)
Section 35. Sections thirty, thirty-one and thirty-four shall not apply to a purchase of property by means of a false pretence relative to the purchaser’s means or ability to pay, if, by the terms of the purchase, payment therefor is not to be made upon or before the delivery of the property purchased, unless such pretence is made in writing and is signed by the person to be charged.
MA Code Section 37. Fraudulent checks, etc.; drawing or uttering (top)
Section 37. Whoever, with intent to defraud, makes, draws, utters or delivers any check, draft or order for the payment of money upon any bank or other depositary, with knowledge that the maker or drawer has not sufficient funds or credit at such bank or other depositary for the payment of such instrument, although no express representation is made in reference thereto, shall be guilty of attempted larceny, and if money or property or services are obtained thereby shall be guilty of larceny. As against the maker or drawer thereof, the making, drawing, uttering or delivery of such a check, draft or order, payment of which is refused by the drawee, shall be prima facie evidence of intent to defraud and of knowledge of insufficient funds in, or credit with, such bank or other depositary, unless the maker or drawer shall have paid the holder thereof the amount due thereon, together with all costs and protest fees, within two days after receiving notice that such check, draft or order has not been paid by the drawee. The word “credit”, as used herein, shall be construed to mean an arrangement or understanding with the bank or depositary for the payment of such check, draft or order.
MA Code Section 37A. Misuse of credit cards; definitions (top)
Section 37A. As used in sections thirty-seven A to thirty-seven C, inclusive, the following words shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Cardholder”, the person named on the face of a credit card to whom or for whose benefit the credit card is issued by an issuer.
“Credit card”, any instrument or device, whether known as a credit card, credit plate, or by any other name, issued with or without fee by an issuer for the use of the cardholder in obtaining money, goods, services or anything else of value on credit.
“Expired credit card”, a credit card which is no longer valid because the term shown on its face has elapsed.
“Falsely embosses”, completion of a credit card, without the authorization of the named issuer, by adding any of the matter, other than the signature of the cardholder, which an issuer requires to appear on the credit card before it can be used by a cardholder.
“Falsely makes”, making or drawing, in whole or in part, a device or instrument which purports to be the credit card of a named issuer but which is not such a credit card because the issuer did not authorize the making or drawing, or altering a credit card which was validly issued.
“Incomplete credit card”, a credit card that does not contain all of the matter that must be stamped, embossed, imprinted or written on said card other than the signature, as required by the issuer before it can be used by a cardholder.
“Issuer”, the business organization or financial institution which issues a credit card or his duly authorized agent.
“Receives” or “receiving”, acquiring possession or control or accepting as security for a loan.
“Revoked credit card”, a credit card which is no longer valid because permission to use it has been suspended or terminated by the issuer.
MA Code Section 37B. Misuse of credit cards; penalties; multiple possession, presumption; arrest (top)
Section 37B. Whoever, with intent to defraud, (a) makes or causes to be made, either directly or indirectly, any false statement as to a material fact in writing, knowing it to be false and with intent that it be relied on, respecting his identity or that of any other person, or his financial condition or that of any other person, for the purpose of procuring the issuance of a credit card, or (b) takes a credit card from the person, possession, custody or control of another without the cardholder’s consent by any conduct which would constitute larceny, or who, with knowledge that it has been so taken, receives the credit card with intent to use it or to sell it, or to transfer it to a person other than the issuer or cardholder, or (c) receives a credit card that he knows to have been lost, mislaid, or delivered under a mistake as to the identity or address of the cardholder, and who retains possession with intent to use it or to sell it or to transfer it to a person other than the issuer or the cardholder, or (d) being a person other than the issuer or his authorized agent, sells a credit card, or buys a credit card from a person other than the issuer or his authorized agent, or (e) being a person other than the cardholder or a person authorized by him, signs a credit card, or (f) uses, for the purpose of obtaining money, goods, services or anything else of value, a credit card obtained or retained in violation of clauses (b) to (e), inclusive, or a credit card which he knows is forged, expired or revoked, where the value of money, goods or services obtained in violation of this section is not in excess of two hundred and fifty dollars, or (g) obtains money, goods, services or anything else of value by representing without the consent of the cardholder that he is said cardholder or by representing that he is the holder of a card and such card has not in fact been issued, where the value of money, goods or services obtained is not in excess of two hundred and fifty dollars, or (h) being a person authorized by an issuer to furnish money, goods, services or anything else of value upon presentation of a credit card by the cardholder, or any agent or employees of such person, furnishes money, goods, services or anything else of value upon presentation of a credit card which he knows was obtained or retained in violation of clauses (b) to (e), inclusive, or a credit card which he knows is forged, expired or revoked where the value of the goods or services obtained is not in excess of two hundred and fifty dollars, or (i) being a person who is authorized by an issuer to furnish money, goods, services or anything else of value upon presentation of a credit card by the cardholder, or any agent or employee of such person, fails to furnish money, goods, services or anything else of value which he represents in writing to the issuer that he has furnished, and the difference between the value of all money, goods, services and anything else of value actually furnished and the value represented to the issuer to have been furnished does not exceed two hundred and fifty dollars, or (j) receives money, goods, services or anything else of value obtained in violation of clauses (f) to (i), inclusive, or (k) makes a false statement in reporting a credit card to be lost or stolen, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than one year or both.
Whoever has in his possession or under his control stolen credit cards issued in the names of four or more other persons shall be presumed to have violated clause (b).
Whoever is discovered by a police officer in the act of violating this section, while such officer is lawfully at or within the place where such violation occurs, may be arrested without a warrant by such police officer.
MA Code Section 37C. Fraudulent use of credit cards to obtain money, goods or services; false embossment of credit cards, multiple possession, presumption; arrest (top)
Section 37C. Whoever, with intent to defraud, (a) obtains control over a credit card as security for debt, or (b) receives a credit card which he knows was taken or retained under circumstances which constitute credit card theft or a violation of clauses (a) or (d) of section thirty-seven B or clause (a) of this section, or (c) falsely makes or falsely embosses a purported credit card or utters such a credit card, or (d) obtains money, goods, services or anything else of value by use of a credit card obtained or retained in violation of clauses (b) to (e), inclusive, of section thirty-seven B, or by use of a credit card which he knows is forged, expired or revoked, where the value of the money, goods or services obtained in violation of this section is in excess of two hundred and fifty dollars, or (e) obtains money, goods or services or anything else of value by representing without the consent of the cardholder that he is said cardholder or by representing that he is the holder of a card and such card has not in fact been issued, where the value of money, goods or services obtained in violation of this section is in excess of two hundred and fifty dollars, or (f) being a person authorized by an issuer to furnish money, goods, services or anything else of value upon presentation of a credit card which he knows was obtained in violation of subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of section thirty-seven B, or a credit card which he knows is forged, expired or revoked, when the value of the money, goods or services obtained is in excess of two hundred and fifty dollars, or (g) being a person authorized by an issuer to furnish money, goods, services or anything else of value upon presentation of a credit card by the cardholder or any agent or employee of such person, fails to furnish money, goods or services or anything else of value which he represents in writing to the issuer that he has furnished, and the difference between the value of all money, goods, services and anything else of value actually furnished and the value represented to the issuer to have been furnished exceeds two hundred and fifty dollars, or (h) receives money, goods, services or anything else of value obtained in violation of subsections (f) or (g) of section thirty-seven B, or (i) possesses one or more incomplete credit cards, intending to complete them without the consent of the issuer, or (j) possesses, with knowledge of its character, machinery, plates or any other contrivance designed to reproduce instruments purporting to be the credit cards of an issuer who has not consented to the preparation of such credit cards, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than two and one half years or in the state prison for not more than five years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Whoever has in his possession or under his control four or more credit cards which are falsely embossed shall be presumed to have violated clause (c).
Whoever is discovered by a police officer in the act of violating this section, while such officer is lawfully at or within the place where such violation occurs, may be arrested without a warrant by such police officer.
MA Code Section 37D. Publishing credit card numbering or coding systems (top)
Section 37D. Whoever publishes or causes to be published the number or code of an existing, canceled, revoked, expired, or nonexistent credit card issued by a public utility company or the numbering or coding system which is employed in the issuance of such credit cards, or any method, scheme, instruction or information on how to fraudulently avoid payment for telecommunication services, with the intent that such number or coding system or information be used or with knowledge that such system or information are to be used to fraudulently avoid the payment of any lawful charges imposed by a public utility company shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than twelve months, or both.
As used in this section, “publishes” means the communication of information to any one or more persons, either orally, in person, or by telephone, radio, or television, or in a writing of any kind, including a letter or memorandum, circular, poster, or handbill, newspaper or magazine article, or book with the intent that such information be used or employed in violation of this section.
MA Code Section 37E. Use of personal identification of another; identity fraud; penalty; restitution (top)
Section 37E. (a) For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:—
“Harass”, willfully and maliciously engage in an act directed at a specific person or persons, which act seriously alarms or annoys such person or persons and would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress.
“Personal identifying information”, any name or number that may be used, alone or in conjunction with any other information, to assume the identity of an individual, including any name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number, social security number, place of employment, employee identification number, mother’s maiden name, demand deposit account number, savings account number, credit card number or computer password identification.
“Pose”, to falsely represent oneself, directly or indirectly, as another person or persons.
“Victim”, any person who has suffered financial loss or any entity that provided money, credit, goods, services or anything of value and has suffered financial loss as a direct result of the commission or attempted commission of a violation of this section.
(b) Whoever, with intent to defraud, poses as another person without the express authorization of that person and uses such person’s personal identifying information to obtain or to attempt to obtain money, credit, goods, services, anything of value, any identification card or other evidence of such person’s identity, or to harass another shall be guilty of identity fraud and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than two and one-half years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(c) Whoever, with intent to defraud, obtains personal identifying information about another person without the express authorization of such person, with the intent to pose as such person or who obtains personal identifying information about a person without the express authorization of such person in order to assist another to pose as such person in order to obtain money, credit, goods, services, anything of value, any identification card or other evidence of such person’s identity, or to harass another shall be guilty of the crime of identity fraud and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than two and one-half years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(d) A person found guilty of violating any provisions of this section shall, in addition to any other punishment, be ordered to make restitution for financial loss sustained by a victim as a result of such violation. Financial loss may include any costs incurred by such victim in correcting the credit history of such victim or any costs incurred in connection with any civil or administrative proceeding to satisfy any debt or other obligation of such victim, including lost wages and attorney’s fees.
(e) A law enforcement officer may arrest without warrant any person he has probable cause to believe has committed the offense of identity fraud as defined in this section.
MA Section 40. Common and notorious thief (top)
Section 40. Whoever, having been convicted, upon indictment, of larceny or of being accessory to larceny before the fact, afterward commits a larceny or is accessory thereto before the fact, and is convicted thereof upon indictment, and whoever is convicted at the same sitting of the court, as principal or accessory before the fact, of three distinct larcenies, shall be adjudged a common and notorious thief, and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than twenty years or in jail for not more than two and one half years.
Our attorneys who defend clients charged with larceny in Massachusetts, embezzlement in Massachusetts and shoplifting in Massachusetts and staff in Boston, Massachusetts, speak the following languages in addition to English:Spanish, French, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Cantonese, Mandarin & Malaysian.
MARYLAND CRIMINAL APPELLATE ATTORNEYS
WRITS & APPEALS – POST CONVICTION RELIEF IN MARYLAND
When a loved one is convicted of an offense that you know they did not do, or even if you think you have been convicted of an offense due to an error by the court or the lawyer handling your case, the uncertainty can be emotionally devastating. This is where we can help. Contact our Maryland criminal appellate attorneys and begin by telling us the following:
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why you think the conviction should not have occurred;
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what steps you took to prevent the conviction from happening;
Once you give our Maryland criminal appellate lawyers some basic information, we will tell you whether we can attempt to help or not. If we think, we can help you, then we will ask you to gather all the documentation in regards to your case and then retain our services to review the file and tell you whether we think you definitely should file an appeal or not.
If you would like to learn more information about our Maryland criminal appeals’ team, please feel free to call our office via our toll free number. You can also contact a SRIS, P.C. Maryland criminal appellate attorney by sending us an e-mail or by filling out our on-line form. We have two offices in Maryland to better serve you.
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ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND OFFICE: |
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND OFFICE: |
The Maryland criminal appellate lawyers of SRIS, P.C file writs and appeals in Maryland state and federal courts. We routinely tell people who want to file a writ or an appeal that TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. Our Maryland criminal appeal lawyers tell our clients that if all the steps of a writ or an appeal are not handled in a timely manner, then the client may never be able to find justice. The Maryland state and federal courts place severe deadlines on people who wish to file an appeal. Also, there is a tremendous amount of information that has to be gathered to prepare a criminal case for an appeal.
To learn more about the laws pertaining to criminal appeals & writs in Virginia or Massachusetts, please click on the state.
The following are some of the Maryland Appellate and Post Conviction Laws.
If you would like to have a better understanding of these Laws, please click on any of the following issues:
Maryland Post Conviction Relief
Maryland Code § 7-102. Right to begin proceeding (top)
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, §§ 7-103 and 7-104 of this subtitle and Subtitle 2 of this title, a convicted person may begin a proceeding under this title in the circuit court for the county in which the conviction took place at any time if the person claims that:
(1) the sentence or judgment was imposed in violation of the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution or laws of the State;
(2) the court lacked jurisdiction to impose the sentence;
(3) the sentence exceeds the maximum allowed by law; or
(4) the sentence is otherwise subject to collateral attack on a ground of alleged error that would otherwise be available under a writ of habeas corpus, writ of Coram nobis, or other common law or statutory remedy.
(b) A person may begin a proceeding under this title if:
(1) the person seeks to set aside or correct the judgment or sentence; and
(2) the alleged error has not been previously and finally litigated or waived in the proceeding resulting in the conviction or in any other proceeding that the person has taken to secure relief from the person’s conviction.
Maryland Code § 7-109. Appeal of final order (top)
(a) Within 30 days after the court passes an order in accordance with this subtitle, a person aggrieved by the order, including the Attorney General and a State’s Attorney, may apply to the Court of Special Appeals for leave to appeal the order.
(b)(1) The application for leave to appeal shall be in the form set by the Maryland Rules.
(2) If the Attorney General or a State’s Attorney states an intention to file an application for an appeal under this section, the court may:
(i) stay the order; and
(ii) set bail for the petitioner.
(3) If the application for leave to appeal is granted:
(i) the procedure for the appeal shall meet the requirements of the Maryland Rules; and
(ii) the Court of Special Appeals may:
1. affirm, reverse, or modify the order appealed from; or
2. remand the case for further proceedings.
(4) If the application for leave to appeal is denied, the order sought to be reviewed becomes final.
(c) The Court of Special Appeals shall direct the political subdivision in which an order is passed to pay the necessary costs and expenses associated with a review under this section, including all court costs, stenographic services, and printing, if:
(1) a person seeks a review under this section within 30 days after judgment;
(2) the Court of Special Appeals grants leave to appeal under this section; and
(3) the Court of Special Appeals finds that the person is unable to pay the costs of the review.
RULE 4-402. PETITION (top)
(a) Content. The petition shall state whether or not petitioner is able to pay costs of the proceeding or to employ counsel and shall include:
(1) The petitioner’s name, place of confinement, and inmate identification number.
(2) The place and date of trial, the offense for which the petitioner was convicted, and the sentence imposed.
(3) The allegations of error upon which the petition is based
(4) A concise statement of facts supporting the allegations of error
(5) The relief sought.
(6) A statement of all previous proceedings, including appeals, motions for new trial and previous post conviction petitions, and the determinations made thereon.
(7) A statement of the facts or special circumstances which show that the allegations of error have not been waived.
Maryland Code § 7-108. Right to counsel and hearing (top)
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person is entitled to assistance of counsel and a hearing on a petition filed under this title.
(b)(1) If a person seeks to reopen a post conviction proceeding under § 7-104 of this subtitle, the court shall determine whether assistance from counsel or a hearing should be granted.
(2) If an appeal has been taken from the judgment of conviction to the Court of Special Appeals, until the judgment of conviction becomes final in the Court of Special Appeals, the court need not:
(i) appoint counsel;
(ii) hold a hearing; or
(iii) act on the petition.
Do you believe that justice was done? Do you think that you were mistakenly found guilty of a crime? Are you interested in finding out whether a criminal charge against yourself or a loved one can be reversed? Contact a SRIS, P.C. criminal appeal lawyer to see what options you may have. Send us an e-mail or fill out our on-line form.
The Maryland criminal appeals attorneys and Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., is located in Rockville and Annapolis but our sphere of activity is statewide.
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