There are specific objects, which can be used as weapons, that are strictly prohibited under the Prohibited Weapons Act. Some of these types of weapons include switchblade knives, brass knuckles, many types of martial arts weapons, some explosive components and even carrying or possessing components of prohibited weapons can be included in the charges. The weapons may be on your person, in a vehicle or within a building or residence which you are in or have access to.
Possession Of A Prohibited Weapon Penalties
In most areas the police and prosecution will try to enhance the possession of a prohibited weapon charge to a felony, so having immediate legal counsel is essential. Felony offenses can result in significant jail time and serious restrictions on weapons ownership in the future.
Possible Penalties
- Fines
- Probation
- Jail time
- Court ordered anger management classes or counseling
Possession Of A Prohibited Weapon Sentencing
As with all misdemeanors the sentencing for Possession Of Prohibited Weapon at this level is not as devastating as the felony charges. Courts will take into consideration the weapon or alleged weapon component found as well as any past history of the individual with regards to violent crimes or misdemeanors. In most cases an attorney can work with the court to have first offenses result in probation or community service rather than felony charges.
Can A Lawyer Help With Possession Of A Prohibited Weapon Charges?
Without an attorney an individual is likely to face the most extreme penalties possible, regardless of the actual facts of the case and the specific situation. A criminal defense attorney can bargain with the prosecutor to have the sentence reduced or even dismissed under certain circumstances. This is particularly true if this is a first offense and only components, not the full weapon, was seized during the arrest.
- If you have been charged with Possession of Prohibited Weapons, Submit Your Case for a Free Review from a skilled Criminal Defense Attorney.
Possession Of A Prohibited Weapon: Fines and Jail by State
Penalties Vary Greatly by Case! For accurate penalties, talk to the court clerk or a lawyer!
| State | Avg. Fines | Avg. Jail | Avg. Probation | Other |
| Alabama | not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 | up to six months | Varies by Case | can also be sentenced to hard labor for up to six months as well as prison time |
| Alaska | $100+ | 6m-9m | 5 yrs | Not Available |
| Arizona | $750 & above | 2 years & add | 6 months | community service, drug classes |
| Arkansas | 5500 | eighteen years | 18 months | 240 penalty |
| California | up to $10000 | up to 5 years | up to 3 years | Judge may order that the defendant cannot purchase weapons in the future. |
| Colorado | Varies by Case | ten years | Varies by Case | would constitute a felony, |
| Connecticut | 1500 | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | community supervision for seven years |
| Delaware | No state restriction on the sale or possession of weapons. | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Florida | $500-1000 | 30-day jail sentence, a $100 fine | 6 months in prison. ..... Weeks | 790.145 Crimes |
| Georgia | 20000 | 7-10 years | 1 year | community service, drug classes |
| Hawaii | 2000 | one year in jai | no probation | Not Available |
| Idaho | up to $1,000.00 | up to 6 months | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Illinois | Not more then 300 dollars | weekend program | 1-3 years | Not Available |
| Indiana | Varies by Case | two years | Varies by Case | considered a misdemeanor |
| Iowa | $500-1000 | 6mos-2yrs | 1 year | prohibited from possessing a firearm.community service |
| Kansas | up to $2500.00 | 30 days to 6 months | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Kentucky | up to $2500 | up to 60 days | up to 12 months | court ordered anger management classes or professional counseling may be required |
| Louisiana | 3600 even | 30-60 days | 6 yrs | Not Available |
| Maine | 500 | 5 years | 1 year | Not Available |
| Maryland | fine up to $10000 | more than two years | probation to 6 months in prison. | Has been convicted for a crime of violence,Has been convicted of a violation of the Maryland Pistol Law., |
| Massachusetts | up to $50 | up to 2 1/2years | no probation | Not Available |
| Michigan | 100 | 90 days | Varies by Case | it is a misdemeanor |
| Minnesota | up to $30,000 | 0-15 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Mississippi | Varies by Case | 18 years | Varies by Case | penalty is a serious charge and is generally considered a misdemeanor in common terms |
| Missouri | 150 flat | Varies Widely by Case | 2 years max | Not Available |
| Montana | 250 flat rate | Varies Widely by Case | 2 years max | Not Available |
| Nebraska | 150 flat | 0 to overnight | 3 years max | Not Available |
| Nevada | 5000 | 1 to 4 years | Varies by Case | Felony offense |
| New Hampshire | up to $2,000.00 | up to 1 years | up to 1 year | Not Available |
| New Jersey | 250 min | Varies Widely by Case | 3 years | Not Available |
| New Mexico | 500 flat rate | 30 days suspended | 2-3 years | Not Available |
| New York | 5500 | 6months-2 years | 6MONTHS | Not Available |
| North Carolina | 500000 | 3 years | 12 months | community service |
| North Dakota | up to $2,000.00 | up to one year | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Ohio | 1000 | 15 days | Prohibited use of firearms. Hunting prohibited; public hunting areas. division of wildlife rules: Beaver Creek Blue Rock Brush Creek Dean Richland Furnace Gifford Hocking Maumee Pike Harrison Mohican Sunfish Creek Scioto Trail Shade River (including West Shade) Shawnee Tar Hollow Fernwood Yellow Creek Zaleski (including Waterloo) PerryUse of target ranges. | f he did not pay the $1,000 fine, and another seven days consecutive |
| Oklahoma | up to $250,000.00 | Up to ten years imprisonment | up to one year | Terroristic threats ,Attempted murder or murder |
| Oregon | up to $7,500 | up to 18 months | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Pennsylvania | Upto $5000 | One year | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Rhode Island | 10000 | 1-10year | 1-10year | Not Available |
| South Carolina | $200 to $1000 | 30 days | no probation | Not Available |
| South Dakota | up to $4000.00 | up to 2 years | up to 2 years | Not Available |
| Tennessee | 2500 | 1 Year | 8-30 years | Not Available |
| Texas | 10000 | 2-10 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Utah | not less then 25 dollars unless its a throw missile | mex 1 year | 1 year | Not Available |
| Vermont | $5000-$10,000 | 2months-6years | 6years | Community service,driving license suspended |
| Virginia | not less than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars | not less than six months nor more than two years | Varies by Case | counseling and community service |
| Washington | Not more than $5000 | Not more than 1 year. | Varies by Case | Gross Misdemeanor |
| West Virginia | $ 0-1000 | 1-10 Years | 29-38 | Not Available |
| Wisconsin | $500 to $10,000 | 90 days | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Wyoming | 0-$750 | 0-6 months | Varies by Case | Not Available |
