Dickerson v. State

ROBERT M. BELL, Judge.

The issue to be decided in this case is whether dual convictions for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and for use of drug paraphernalia lie when the latter conviction is based solely on the possession of the vial containing the cocaine on which the former conviction is based. The Court of Special Appeals, reasoning that, because they are separate offenses, they do not merge, answered “Yes.” We granted the Writ of Certiorari requested by petitioner James E. Dickerson and now reverse.

The facts out of which this case arose are simple and straightforward.…