New Criminal Laws in Maryland 2019

On October 1, 2019, many new Maryland laws went into effect. From taxing online sales to banning specific attachments for firearms, these laws span a great number of subjects. We’re here to let you know about the new criminal laws that are now in effect so that you can be better prepared and can avoid unnecessary charges.

SB0103: Criminal Law – Electronic Harassment and Bullying | Grace’s Law 2.0

Broadening what constitutes electronic harassment and increasing the penalties against it.
States that a person using electronic harassment with the intent of inducing a minor to commit suicide may now be imprisoned for up to 10 years with or without fines of up to $10,000.
This is an addition to the existing Grace’s Law, which is named after a teenage girl who committed suicide after vicious and repeated online harassment by an acquaintance.

HB0240: Hate Crimes – Threats

Committing a hate crime is still illegal in Maryland, but now the threat of a hate crime is illegal as well.
Threatening a hate crime will now carry a misdemeanor penalty of up to 3 years in prison, with or without a fine of up to $5,000.
This change was partially influenced by the rise in Maryland hate crimes by 35% from 2016-2017.

SB0460: Pedestrian Safety Fund Act of 2019

Establishes that drivers failing to stop for pedestrians will now face fines up to $1,000 (previously: $500).
These fines will go to a Pedestrian Safety fund and used for traffic education, calming, and enforcement.

HB0707: Drunk and Drugged Driving Offenses – Penalties

This law has been modified to establish an increase in the penalties that are allowed when Maryland residents are found to be operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Specifically:

For drivers convicted of vehicular homicide while impaired, the maximum jail term or imprisonment has increased from 3 to 5 years.
For drivers convicted of vehicular homicide or of causing a serious injury or fatal crash while impaired who have prior convictions, the maximum imprisonment has doubled from 5 to 10 years.

HB0493: Crimes – Solicitation and Conspiracy to Commit Murder Resulting in Death (Stacey’s Law)

States that a person soliciting or conspiring with another to commit first-degree murder is also guilty of murder in the first degree.
Solicitation to commit murder, prior to Oct. 1, 2019, was considered a misdemeanor with a statute of limitations of 3 years.
This bill is named after Stacey Seaton who was murdered in 2005 by a man that McDonald Abraham III hired to kill her.

For more information on new criminal laws in Maryland, or if you are currently facing criminal charges and are seeking legal assistance, reach out to the professional defense attorneys at Albers & Associates today.