Maryland Misdemeanors and the Right to a Public Defender

http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2012-03-06/maryland-misdemeanors-and-right-public-defender
Maryland Misdemeanors and the Right to a Public Defender

Earlier this year, Maryland's high court said anyone arrested is entitled to a lawyer before being booked into jail. Now legislators in Annapolis are struggling over how to provide legal representation to the poor under new post-arrest procedures, and whether the ruling may result in fewer people sent to jail.

Might new rules mean fewer Marylanders go to jail for shoplifting or smoking marijuana? Some say yes, in light of the recent Court of Appeals ruling granting all persons arrested the right to access to a lawyer before being jailed. Citing the high cost of providing poor people with public defenders immediately after an arrest (for example, at a bail hearing), some lawmakers say rewriting legislation to reduce penalties for various misdemeanors is the answer. Kojo explores the right to legal representation and the legislative battle in Annapolis.

Guests

Brian Frosh

Maryland State Senator (D- Dist. 16- Montgomery County)

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The Kojo Nnamdi Show is produced by member-supported WAMU 88.5 in Washington DC.