Use of a Firearm in Crime of Violence lawyer Prince George’s County, MD
Federal charges for using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence carry mandatory consecutive prison sentences and leave no opportunity for parole. In Prince George’s County, these prosecutions are brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland before the U.S. District Court’s Greenbelt Division—just minutes from College Park and New Carrollton. When the FBI, ATF, or DEA investigates an alleged firearms‑in‑violation in Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Laurel, or Hyattsville, the case quickly shifts to the federal arena. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Concentrate a significant portion of their practice on federal criminal defense. Mr. Sris—a former prosecutor—understands the investigative tactics and charging calculations that drive these cases. The firm’s attorneys meet clients in the Rockville‑area location and represent individuals across Prince George’s County, including Greenbelt, Largo, Fort Washington, Suitland, Lanham, and Clinton. To discuss your situation, call (888) 437‑7747 for a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Federal Use‑of‑a‑Firearm Charges Mean in Prince George’s County
18 U.S.C. § 924(c) makes it a separate federal crime to use, carry, or possess a firearm during and in relation to any federal crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. In the District of Maryland, these charges frequently accompany indictments for carjacking, bank robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, or large‑scale drug distribution. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes the firearm count independently; it does not merge with the underlying offense. The charge typically surfaces in a grand‑jury indictment returned to the Greenbelt Division of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, the same courthouse that handles federal matters arising in Prince George’s County.
The investigation that leads to a § 924(c) charge often begins long before an arrest. Federal agents from the FBI, ATF, DEA, HSI, and Secret Service use wiretaps, surveillance, confidential informants, and search warrants to build a case. If a gun is recovered—even one that was not fired—prosecutors may add the firearm count. The court applies the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, but § 924(c) imposes a mandatory minimum consecutive term that runs on top of any sentence for the predicate crime, creating a compound penalty that substantially lengthens any incarceration. Because the federal system abolished parole, a § 924(c) sentence must be served in full except for limited good‑time credits.
Prince George’s County residents often assume that a state‑level arrest in Upper Marlboro or College Park stays in the state system. When federal authorities adopt a case, the procedural landscape changes entirely. Discovery is governed by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, pretrial release is evaluated under the Bail Reform Act, and sentencing occurs before a U.S. District Judge applying the advisory guidelines. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles the full spectrum of federal firearm crimes and helps clients navigate the distinct pretrial and trial practices of the Greenbelt Division.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Federal Firearm Cases
The firm’s involvement often begins at the investigation stage, before an indictment is returned. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys evaluate whether law enforcement respected constitutional limits during searches, interrogations, or electronic surveillance. They identify potential pre‑indictment arguments, such as lack of probable cause for a warrant, and engage with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to explore the possibility of limiting charges before an indictment is filed.
After an indictment, the defense team undertakes a thorough review of discovery, including body‑worn camera footage, forensic firearm analysis, and cell‑site data. The element that distinguishes a § 924(c) charge is the nexus between the weapon and the alleged crime—whether the government can prove that the defendant actually used or carried the firearm “during and in relation to” the predicate offense. The firm’s attorneys examine whether the weapon was merely present or was actively employed, and whether the government can satisfy the “crime of violence” definition after recent Supreme Court decisions that have narrowed the categories of qualifying offenses. When the evidence permits, the defense seeks to sever the firearm count or negotiate a resolution that avoids the mandatory consecutive term.
Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience. Results may vary. They prepare every case for trial while simultaneously exploring opportunities to narrow the contested issues through motion practice. The firm’s Rockville location serves clients from all Prince George’s County communities, and counsel regularly appears at the Greenbelt courthouse on Cherrywood Lane for arraignments, detention hearings, and status conferences.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris founded Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. in 1997. A former prosecutor, he brings the perspective of someone who has built cases from the charging phase through trial. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York and concentrates his practice on federal criminal defense.
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys include a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney who prosecuted criminal cases in Maryland District and Circuit Courts. That prosecutorial insight strengthens the firm’s ability to anticipate the government’s strategy in federal firearm prosecutions. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work together to craft a focused defense for each client, addressing both the § 924(c) count and any predicate charges. Call (888) 437‑7747 to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the government have to prove for a use‑of‑a‑firearm crime‑of‑violence charge under federal law?
To convict under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant used, carried, or possessed a firearm during and in relation to a federal crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. The charge requires a predicate federal felony that qualifies as a “crime of violence” under the statute’s force clause or an enumerated offense. The weapon must be actively employed or its presence must facilitate the crime. A conviction triggers a mandatory consecutive sentence, even if no one was injured.
Can a federal firearm charge be brought for an incident that happened in Prince George’s County?
Yes, any act occurring in Prince George’s County that violates a federal criminal statute can be prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Greenbelt Division. Federal jurisdiction often attaches when the predicate crime crosses state lines, affects interstate commerce, occurs on federal property, or is investigated by a federal agency. Even a local robbery or drug transaction in Bowie or Suitland may result in federal charges if the U.S. Attorney’s Office chooses to pursue the case.
What penalties follow a § 924(c) conviction?
A first‑time conviction under § 924(c) carries a mandatory minimum of five years that runs consecutively to any other sentence, with no parole. If the firearm was brandished, the minimum rises to seven years; if discharged, ten years. Subsequent § 924(c) convictions increase the mandatory minimum to 25 years, and a second or subsequent conviction in the same case can result in a life sentence. Fines, restitution, and supervised release also apply.
How does a defense lawyer challenge a federal firearm charge in Maryland?
A defense lawyer may challenge a federal firearm charge by attacking the legality of the search that produced the weapon, disputing that the defendant “carried” or “used” the firearm in connection with the predicate crime, or arguing that the predicate offense does not qualify as a crime of violence. Constitutional motions, expert testimony on firearm operation, and review of forensic evidence can also weaken the government’s proof. The firm’s attorneys explore every angle consistent with the facts.
Should I talk to law enforcement if I am under investigation for a federal firearm offense?
No. You should not speak with federal agents without a lawyer present. Anything you say can be used against you in a grand‑jury proceeding or at trial. Invoke your right to remain silent and ask to speak with an attorney. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can be reached day or night at (888) 437‑7747 to arrange immediate legal guidance.
Internal‑link nav strip: The firm also represents clients facing federal firearm charges in nearby Maryland counties. See our pages for Federal Criminal Lawyer Montgomery County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County.
Outbound authority: U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland | 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) on Cornell LII
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