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Unattended Baggage
Did you get charged with a misdemeanor for leaving your baggage unattended at DTW airport? Section 6.7 of the Wayne County Airport Authority Airport Ordinance says:
“6.7 A Person shall not abandon or leave unattended personal property upon Airport premises nor otherwise place, discharge, or deposit refuse, trash, oil, grease, garbage, construction rubble, or wrecked or worthless vehicles and parts, upon Airport premises, except in such kinds and amount, and in such receptacles as are clearly marked for that purpose, or except as is expressly permitted in writing by the CEO.
Violation of Subsection 6.7 is a misdemeanor.”
If you read the ordinance, it may seem crazy that they would charge folks with a misdemeanor using an ordinance that seems originally designed to prevent littering on airport grounds, but that is exactly what they do! In fact I have seen more of these charges than any other charge from the airport.
Penalties for this includes a Fine up to $500, plus jail time of up to 90 days. The good news is that the chances of you getting jail time for forgetting your bag somewhere is relatively slim, however not handling the charge properly could technically result in a criminal conviction that could have unintended consequences for things like immigration or security clearances. Even if you are able to get the case deferred under 771,1 (a deferred sentence where your matter is eventually dismissed), it opens up the possibility of a mistake where the misdemeanor still shows as a conviction.
If you are charged with Unattended Baggage at Detroit Metro airport, your case will be heard at 34th district court in Romulus. Oftentimes with our representation, we can get the cases resolved as a civil infraction that does not abstract to your record. We know the judges, we know the prosecutors and we know the law.
Contact us today for a free consultation
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