DWI HIT PARADE: Two-time DWI driver Byron MacFarlane is Howard County’s elected Register of Wills; charge of misuse of his Courthouse ID quickly dropped by the prosecutor

DWI HIT PARADE: Two-time DWI driver Byron MacFarlane is Howard County’s elected Register of Wills; charge of misuse of his Courthouse ID quickly dropped by the prosecutor

COLUMBIA, MD – Not often does a courthouse official get charged with displaying a false identification, however, this official is not exactly worried about technicalities and details. The twice-elected Howard County Register of Wills, Byron Eric MacFarlane, is a repeat offender impaired driver.

The brouhaha over the use of false identity had to do with a Sunday gathering when MacFarlane used his ID to host a group in the Courthouse, leading to a supporter of his opponent to file charges of false identity with a District Court Commissioner just before the General Election. MacFarlane won the election.

Those wishing to have a will drawn up might consider a soberer Register of Wills Office to file such an instrument.

Maryland court records show that MacFarlane was charged on Nov. 6, 2018, with the complaint about possible misuse of a court identification.

MacFarlane, of 5725 Harpers Farm Road, Unit E, Columbia, Md., had a court date set for Jan. 8, 2019. Records show that Rich Gibson, the Howard County States Attorney, a fellow Democrat, has filed a Stet Docket dismissal and a Nolle Pros in the case.

While a District Court Commissioner can determine there exists probable cause to issue charges, it is the purview of the States Attorney to determine if there exists criminal intent or evidence of a crime in order to pursue charges and it is the sole discretion of the prosecutor to move ahead with prosecution or drop the charges. Politically motivated charges sometimes move ahead until an Independent Prosecutor is appointed.

ELECTED OFFICIAL IS REPEAT OFFENDER DRUNK DRIVER IN MARYLAND

April 26, 2015, 01:02, E/B 495 @ 97 – MONTGOMERY – 15, MACFARLANE, BYRON, 32 YEARS OLD LAUREL, MD, arrested by Maryland State Police Trooper First Class Sollon

• MacFarlane is the elected Register of Wills in Howard County, Md. On Sept. 17, 2015, MacFarlane entered into a plea deal with the Montgomery County States Attorney. THE DEAL: 90 days in jail with all 90 days suspended. Fine of $325.00. 
• MacFarlane was arrested for DUI in 2007 in Baltimore City and in a plea deal on Dec. 28, 2007, was given a verdict of Probation Before Judgement. THE DEAL: no fine and no time.