Use of a Firearm in Crime of Violence lawyer St. Mary’s County, MD
Under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), a person who uses, carries, or possesses a firearm in connection with a crime of violence faces significant federal penalties, including mandatory minimum prison terms and consecutive sentences that cannot be reduced by parole. A federal firearm charge is prosecuted in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, and a conviction carries consequences that extend far beyond a state-court sentence. For residents of St. Mary’s County — including Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, Great Mills, Hollywood, and Mechanicsville — that means an investigation led by the FBI, ATF, or another federal agency, a grand jury indictment, and a sentencing framework driven by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represent individuals throughout St. Mary’s County who are facing federal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). If you are under investigation or have been charged, contact our Rockville location at (888) 437-7747 to request a confidential consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Federal Firearm Charges Mean in St. Mary’s County
A federal firearm charge brought under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) is not a state-gun matter; it is prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, often in the Greenbelt or Baltimore divisions of the federal court. St. Mary’s County residents who are charged will appear in the U.S. District Court as a defendant in a federal criminal case, not in the District Court of Maryland for St. Mary’s County or the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court, which handle state-level offenses. The difference is critical: federal prosecutors work with investigative agencies such as the FBI, ATF, and DEA, and they have the resources to build cases that often yield high conviction rates. Securing qualified defense counsel who is experienced with the federal system is essential from the earliest stage.
Federal investigations typically begin long before an arrest, with a grand jury reviewing evidence and issuing an indictment. After indictment, the defendant is arraigned before a federal magistrate judge in Greenbelt or Baltimore. The case proceeds through pretrial motions, discovery, and often extensive litigation over the admissibility of evidence, the application of sentencing enhancements, and the interpretation of the statute. In a § 924(c) matter, the government must prove that the defendant (a) committed a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime, and (b) used, carried, or possessed a firearm during and in relation to that crime. Because mandatory minimum sentences apply cumulatively — and each § 924(c) count typically runs consecutively to any other sentence — the stakes are extraordinarily high. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work to challenge every element the government must prove, from the predicate offense to the firearm nexus, and to present mitigating circumstances at sentencing under the advisory guidelines. The timeline for a federal case in the District of Maryland varies depending on the complexity of the charges and the court’s docket, but clients can expect a process that demands sustained, strategic attention.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Federal Firearm Cases
Every federal firearm case begins with a thorough review of the government’s evidence. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys examine the search warrant affidavits, arrest reports, witness statements, and forensic reports for procedural violations, constitutional defects, and gaps in the prosecution’s chain of proof. Because a § 924(c) charge relies on a predicate offense, the defense often involves challenging the validity of that underlying crime — for example, arguing that the alleged conduct does not meet the statutory definition of a “crime of violence.” In addition, the presence of the firearm itself may be contested on Second Amendment, Fourth Amendment, or factual grounds.
Pretrial practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland includes filing motions to suppress, motions to dismiss the indictment, and requests for discovery under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 16. When the evidence presents challenges, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys explore whether a resolution short of trial — such as a pretrial diversion, a plea agreement that avoids the harshest mandatory minimums, or a cooperation arrangement under U.S.S.G. §5K1.1 — serves the client’s interests. Throughout the process, clients are kept informed of the realistic options and the strategic reasoning behind each recommendation. If the case proceeds to trial, the firm’s litigation experience in federal court is directed at presenting a coherent defense theory, cross-examining government witnesses, and humanizing the client for the jury and the judge. At sentencing, the defense focuses on obtaining the lowest possible guideline range and presenting allocution and mitigation evidence that supports a downward variance.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., a firm that has practiced since 1997. A former prosecutor, he brings insight into how the government builds cases and where its strategies may be vulnerable. Mr. Sris was admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and has handled federal criminal matters in multiple districts. He testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience, allowing Mr. Sris to assemble a defense team that can address the complex factual and legal questions raised by a federal firearm prosecution. Results may vary. in your case. For clients in St. Mary’s County, the Rockville location provides a direct connection to counsel who is familiar with federal courthouse procedures in the District of Maryland, including the Greenbelt and Baltimore divisions. To discuss your matter, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a federal charge for using a firearm in a crime of violence?
A federal charge under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) makes it a separate, additional offense to use, carry, or possess a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. The charge is prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney in the District of Maryland, and a conviction carries mandatory minimum prison terms that run consecutively to any sentence for the underlying offense. Unlike many state-gun charges, there is no parole, and supervised release follows imprisonment.
What are the potential penalties for a federal firearm offense under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)?
Federal law imposes significant mandatory minimum sentences for § 924(c) violations that stack for each successive count. The length of the mandatory minimum depends on factors such as whether the firearm was brandished or discharged, and whether the defendant has prior § 924(c) convictions. The court has no authority to impose a below-mandatory-minimum sentence except through a limited safety-valve provision or a government motion for substantial assistance under § 5K1.1 of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
How does a federal case differ from a state case in Maryland?
A federal case is investigated by agencies such as the FBI or ATF, prosecuted by a U.S. Attorney, and heard in the U.S. District Court, not in a Maryland state court. Federal convictions carry longer sentences, no parole, and are governed by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines rather than the Maryland sentencing framework. Because federal prosecutors have substantial resources and high conviction rates, early attorney involvement is critical.
What should I do if I am under investigation for a federal firearm charge in St. Mary’s County?
If you believe you are under federal investigation, exercise your right to remain silent and contact a defense attorney immediately. Do not speak with law enforcement or answer questions without counsel present. Preserve all documents and evidence. An attorney can evaluate whether an indictment is likely, intervene before charges are filed, and advise on how to avoid making the situation worse.
Can a lawyer help if I have already been indicted?
Yes; even after an indictment is returned, a skilled defense team can move to dismiss the indictment, suppress evidence, negotiate a favorable plea, or take the case to trial. Indictment marks the beginning of the formal court process, not the end of the defense. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys focus on evaluating the indictment for legal defects, challenging the government’s evidence, and preparing a defense strategy tailored to the client’s situation.
How do I find a federal criminal defense lawyer in St. Mary’s County?
Look for a firm with demonstrated experience in federal court, attorneys admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and a track record of handling the specific charge you face. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients from St. Mary’s County at the federal courthouse in Greenbelt and Baltimore. Consultations are by appointment; reach our Rockville location at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your legal needs.
Related Locations We Serve:
Montgomery County federal criminal lawyer |
Prince George’s County federal defense |
Howard County federal criminal attorney |
Anne Arundel County federal firearm charges
Official Federal Resources:
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland |
U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland |
18 U.S.C. § 924(c) — Firearm in Crime of Violence
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