15 Jan Boy faces Maryland weapons offense charges in BB gun incident

On behalf of Jack B. Rubin, PA posted in Weapons Crimes on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.

Facing a weapons charge leveled by Maryland officials can seem challenging enough for an adult to endure. For a child, mounting a criminal defense against a weapons offense accusation can seem like an even more intimidating process. One Maryland boy is now facing weapons offense charges relating to an incident with a BB gun on school property. Fortunately, there were no reports of any injuries stemming from this event.

According to authorities, the 11-year-old boy got into a disagreement with a nine-year-old boy outside of the school itself, but reportedly still on school grounds. During the altercation, he apparently brandished a BB gun in the direction of the nine-year-old. Authorities were summoned to the elementary school where the alleged event occurred.

Police officials reported that the boy did not actually discharge the weapon and no injuries were suffered during the altercation. Authorities have leveled a slew of charges against the boy, including assault, battery and brandishing a weapon on school property. No other details were yet released regarding this case.

In a juvenile weapons offense case like this, a child’s parents will likely need to be involved as a criminal defense against such serious allegations is prepared. No matter how serious the charges, however, Maryland authorities must overcome a high burden of proof in order to convict a person in a criminal trial. Failing to prove a person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by presenting evidence in a courtroom will result in the defendant being found not guilty of the charges.

Source: CBS DC, “Woodbridge Boy Allegedly Points BB Gun at Student,” Jan. 8, 2013