Citation for Trespass in Baltimore, MD

[RudyRockvilleMD]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Laurence_18

I received a criminal citation and court summons for being on the platform taking pictures in Baltimore (AKA Trespass)!!! Amtrak police gone wild!

Anyone know a good lawyer (seriously)?

There is the venerable law firm of Dewey, Cheetham, and Howe. To be serious I don't know any attorneys in Baltimore, MD.

Is there a suggested defense?

I don't know what the defense would be so it is a good idea to consult an attorney to find out what the defense could be, and what the consequences are if you are found guilty. Perhaps an attorney will suggest it isn't worthwhile to fight the citation, and you may not even be able to get an attorney to take the case.

Warning to others..don't go there!

Many of the railroad stations in what is now called the the Northeast Corridor have always been closed access, that is, only passengers intending to board the train were allowed on the platform; that was true even in the Pennsylvania and the Penn-Central eras.

For what it's worth there are very few locations in the Northeast Corridor south of Trenton, NJ where one can photograph trains without some kind of restriction, even from what might be considered public property. So your "Warning to others..don't go there!" is good advice. In fact, when I was recently in Washington's Union Station I asked a security guard if I could take pictures there, and I was told, "no."

[Anonymous]

I know how you are feeling Laurence_18.Here in Fond Du Lac,Wi,I was on Lakeshore Ave,which crosses the CN rail yard,when I got stopped at the second crossing for a freight. In the consist was a EMD GP38-2 unit lettered for LLPX.Naturally I got in the back bed of my pick-up,and took a few pix.I was questioned by a CN worker(whom I knew was not from the area),and was told that I was not to take pictures from the road,and that the CN police are not taking any guff from us railfans, due to there have been a few people whom have gone into the yard and taken some pix.I am not telling people who want to take pix of trains in the FDL area to stay away,I am just going to say to those that abuse this priviledge, that if the CN decides to put up fences along their railline, here in FDL,I am gonna be pretty sore about it,and I KNOW a few whom have abused this priviledge.One is a gentleman whom had a fancy camera with a big zoom lens,yet instead of getting a picture of the Soo Line GP30 from the ground level,he went ONTO the property and had to get that "perfect picture" from the rail yard vantage point.People like this are what gets me angry.Luckily I didnt get into any trouble,yet are some people that dumb,and cant read the signs along railroad right of ways?!!! Obey the laws!!!!,let others enjoy this priviledge too,without having it being jeopardized.

[Anonymous]

If this is an indication of just how Railfans get treated nowaday.......I would hate to see what tomorrow brings. I mean it's bad enough the Government want's to totaly ban Photography all together. This is sad. This is very sad.

[Anonymous]

ban photography altogether...wha?

[bnsfkline]

BNSFrailfan, the government does not have plans to ban photography. If there was a plan, it would be all over CNN/CNBC/CourtTV and other news networks. If they did try to ban photograpy, then they would have to have every american citizen to become law enforcment to enforce this law.....it just can't be done.

[Anonymous]

laurence,

don't know any lawyers in that neck of the woods, so good luck on that; but find one nevertheless.

this criminal conviction will follow you forever. fight it now, and plan to win.

the lawyer you're looking for will be able to tell you each of your options, and what they are likely to cost. anything less than a full acquittal in the end, you can do yourself and save the money.

not all lawyers are equal; take whatever steps necessary to find one you like and feel comfortable with.

and, when you win (if your story is complete), you sue the cop for abuse of process, recover your money and then some, and send a message to the rest.

-rrick

[MikeSanta]

Ask for a jury trial. The odds are that you can beat it, and remember, it's ONLY a misdemeamor. It's not like a bank robbery conviction.

[Anonymous]

Future employers don't like to see misdemeaners on your record either. Even though technically they are only supposed to ask about any felony convictions you may have had, with computer records everything will show up.