Md. high court finds Sixth Amendment violation, upholds new trial order
A defense attorney’s failure to object to a trial court’s order prohibiting communication between the defendant and his lawyer violated the Sixth Amendment, Maryland's high court says.
Md. Supreme Court will wait on SCOTUS before deciding gun case
Maryland's top court will hold off on considering the state's ban on gun possession for people convicted of certain crimes while the U.S. Supreme Court considers a similar case.
Md. chief justice names new court administrator for state judiciary
Maryland Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader named Judy Rupp as the next state court administrator for the Maryland Judiciary effective May 17. Rupp will succeed Pamela Harris, who is set to retire May 30 and will assist with the transition after serving in that role for the past 10 years. The state court […]
Maryland’s top court becomes ‘Supreme’ as name change takes effect
The names of Maryland’s two appellate courts and the titles of the state’s top judges changed Wednesday with a gubernatorial proclamation.
Md. high court will weigh constitutionality of cap in state tort claims
Maryland’s top court will consider whether the limit on damages in personal injury lawsuits against the state passes constitutional muster when the injured plaintiff’s costs far exceed the statutory cap.
Md. high court will weigh constitutionality of bar on lawyer-client talk
Maryland’s top court will consider whether a defendant’s constitutional right to counsel is violated by a judge’s order that he or she refrain from speaking to his or her attorney during an overnight trial recess.
Md. high court will weigh ban on gun possession by nonviolent convicts
Maryland’s top court will consider whether the state’s ban on gun possession by someone sentenced to more than two years in prison for a nonviolent common law crime violates the Second Amendment.
Denials of public-accommodations claims must be appealable, groups say
Maryland's appeals courts must be open to alleged victims of public-accommodations bias when judges uphold a rights agency's dismissals of claims, groups say.
Maryland high court names new chief clerk
Maryland’s top court will have a new chief clerk beginning Thursday.
Md. high court weighs MDE regulation of ammonia to protect the bay
The Maryland Department of the Environment invalidly declined to impose emissions standards for ammonia on all Eastern Shore poultry feeding operations, an environmental attorney argued.
Md. high court to weigh prior-conviction evidence in sexual abuse cases
Maryland’s top court will consider the degree of similar conduct required before the details of a defendant’s prior sexual assault conviction may be admitted at his or her subsequent trial.
Lawyers had no duty to object before CSI effect ruling, Md. high court says
Maryland’s top court excused lawyers who failed to object to judges telling jurors the state need not present DNA evidence to prove guilt before a 2010 ruling.