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Maryland Public Defender: New study highlights need to reduce workloads
Effectively representing America's indigent defendants requires far more work hours by public defenders than previously thought, a new study found.
Quality-of-life citations back in Baltimore courts, bringing familiar problems
This is the citation docket's first week back in Baltimore. Low-level quality-of-life offenses are once again churning through the city's district courts.
Bates introduces citation docket for ‘quality-of-life offenses’ in Baltimore
Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates announced a new citation initiative aimed at low-level quality-of-life offenses.
Maryland public defenders vote to join state workers’ union
Maryland public defenders voted Tuesday to unionize after a two-year effort.
Office of the Public Defender 50th Anniversary Gala set for Nov. 1
The Maryland Office of the Public Defender 50th Anniversary Gala will be held Nov. 1.
Baltimore prosecutors, defense, court work to reduce activity and decrease jail population
Criminal justice partners in Baltimore, which has the highest volume of criminal cases in the state, are working to reduce courthouse traffic, caseloads and the inmate population as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby told prosecutors Wednesday to drop all pending charges for drug possession, attempted distribution, prostitution, trespassing, mi[...]
Possible evidence theft at Salisbury PD prompts review of cases
The Maryland Office of the Public Defender announced Monday that it will launch an investigation into cases potentially affected by the recent announcement of possible thefts from the property room of the Salisbury Police Department. The department announced Feb. 14 in a press release that, during a recent audit of its property storage facility, it […]
Studies conclude cash bail down but reform still needed
Maryland’s new pretrial release rule dramatically decreased the use of cash bail but two recent independent studies concluded additional education and resources are needed. The Maryland Office of the Public Defender sent 64 volunteers to observe bail reviews in multiple jurisdictions last year as the rule went into effect July 1. It clarifies that judicial […]
Md. appeals court halts criminal trial to address internal affairs records spat
The Court of Special Appeals on Thursday temporarily stayed a Baltimore criminal trial so it can rule on a police officer’s motion to prohibit the defendant from questioning the officer about his internal affairs records. A Baltimore city judge ruled Wednesday that Deandre Spencer, charged with drug and firearms offenses, could cross-examine Sgt. Joseph Donato […]
Baltimore prosecutors: Role in hearing on access to internal affairs files ‘proactive’
Criminal defense attorneys celebrated a victory for transparency this week as they were given permission by a Baltimore city judge to attempt to introduce internal affairs records for a police sergeant into evidence in their clients’ cases. But statements from the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office claim that its “proactive” efforts led to a consolidated […]
Attorneys gain access to Baltimore police officer’s internal affairs records
Defense attorneys will seek to have evidence from more than 30 internal affairs records relating to a Baltimore police sergeant admitted in multiple criminal cases after a judge granted them access to the files last week. Attorneys for 20 defendants argued earlier this month in consolidated proceedings that records related to Sgt. Joseph M. Donato should […]
Program allows vacating of failure-to-appear warrants in Baltimore
Individuals who have active failure-to-appear warrants on misdemeanor offenses in Baltimore will have the opportunity to vacate the warrants and get a new court date scheduled through a program by the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law’s Access to Justice Criminal Defense Clinic. The FTA Second Chance Program will run weekdays in […]
