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Lawmakers weigh tighter prosecutorial review of commissioner‑issued warrants amid complaints of weaponized filings
Summary
HB336 would require prosecutor or law‑enforcement review before district court commissioners issue arrest warrants based only on private complaints. Survivors and prosecutors urged reform; victim‑service groups warned about limiting access for survivors and asked for narrowly tailored carveouts and faster timelines.
Sponsor Delegate Jackie Addison told the House Judiciary Committee HB336 aims to stop misuse of Maryland’s commissioner charging process by ensuring prosecutors review warrants generated from private, citizen complaints before arrests are executed. "This helps ensure decisions are made using probable cause … and oversight by the state's attorney," Addison said.
Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates described large volumes of citizen filings and told lawmakers that many commissioner‑filed…
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