Maryland House Bill HB1113

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/11/22
• Refer: 2/11/22

Caption

Criminal Law - Pretrial Release Hearings - Hearsay Evidence

Impact

The introduction of this bill could have significant implications for the criminal justice system, particularly how evidence is presented in bail hearings. By allowing hearsay evidence, the bill may streamline the process for hearing cases where direct evidence is not available. This change could potentially influence the outcomes of pretrial release decisions, which often play a critical role in shaping a defendant's situation prior to trial.

Summary

House Bill 1113 addresses procedural changes relating to pretrial release hearings in the state of Maryland. The bill proposes an amendment to existing law, stating that hearsay evidence can be admissible during hearings related to bail or pretrial release under certain conditions. Specifically, the hearsay must be relevant to the issue at hand, and the underlying circumstances that support the hearsay must be demonstrated as reliable.

Contention

Notably, there may be concerns regarding the use of hearsay evidence as it relates to the rights of the accused. Critics may argue that admitting hearsay could lead to prejudiced decisions, as such evidence can often lack the rigor of direct testimony or physical evidence. Therefore, while the bill aims to facilitate legal proceedings, it raises important questions about due process and the fairness of pretrial release hearings.