ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A requirement for an attorney to be present at initial bail review hearings before a district court commissioner is taking effect.
The requirement ordered by the state’s highest court begins Tuesday.
The Court of Appeals ruled 4-3 last year that having an attorney at an initial bail hearing is a constitutional right. Lawmakers were unable to reach an agreement on how to overhaul the state’s bail system in the last legislative session to address the ruling. Instead, lawmakers put $10 million in the budget to pay for attorneys.
Gov. Martin O’Malley has created a commission to examine best practices around the country and to evaluate the use of a risk-assessment system to help determine who should be detained and who should be released before trial.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
