New York Giants line backer Antonio Pierce narrowly avoided being charged with weapons possession stemming from an incident in 2008 involving fellow Giants team mate Plaxico Burress. Reports of the incident maintain that Burress was carrying an unlicensed, illegal firearm in a New York night club when the gun accidentally went off, shooting Burress in the thigh. Pierce, for his part, helped his team mate out of the club and to a local hospital where he was treated under an assumed name. Pierce later drove back to his New Jersey home with the gun in question in his glove box and later arranged to have it delivered back to Burress at his home, actions which could have seen him charged with illegal possession of a firearm under New York state laws. One week ago a Manhattan grand jury decided not to indict him on criminal weapons possession charges.
While this incident happened in New York, California state laws are no less stringent when it comes to
weapons possession. In California, certain types of guns may be purchased and carried by permit only. Strict laws are in place to screen prospective gun buyers for either past criminal behavior or potentially dangerous emotional or mental problems. Most Californians who have been convicted of a prior felony criminal offense are not legally permitted to carry a firearm at all. While some
weapons possession cases are classified as misdemeanor offenses, most are tried as a felony, which means tougher punishments including longer jail or prison sentences, higher monetary fines and longer probation or parole terms. Being convicted of
weapons possession charges could land you in jail for between four and 12 years. Felony criminal offense convictions can be particularly damaging as they may severely limit what types of employment you can apply for and even where you can live.
If you have been charged with
weapons possession, call the attorneys at Stephen G. Rodriguez & Associates right away. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience in successfully defending against criminal charges. Let us fight for you.
AGGRESSIVE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY. "If you are under investigation or have already been arrested, I can help!"
