The St. Mary's County Alcohol Beverage Board at its Jan. 10 meeting granted a continuance for Big Dogs Paradise Bar & Liquor until the licensee's criminal court date on March 6, 2008.

The board first received a summons that alleged establishment employees knowingly permitted a gaming device in violation of the Annotated Code of Maryland (criminal law) and the board's rules and regulations. Licensees Brian Lewis Adkins and James Gilbert Adkins Jr. attended and requested the board continue the hearing until the outcome of the criminal case.

Deputy county counsel and others noted that a pending criminal case could limit the licensee's ability to testify before the board because statements to the board could be used in the criminal proceeding. For that reason the board agreed to allow the continuance and to reconvene the administrative matter after the March 6 criminal hearing. The board directed staff to keep the board informed and to bring the matter back after adjudication.

A motion to grant the continuance until March 6 was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.