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Maryland bill would bar civil arrests inside courthouses to encourage access to justice
Summary
Delegate Stewart's HB 309 would prevent civil stops and arrests on judicial premises absent a judge-signed warrant, drawing support from access-to-justice advocates and opposition from law enforcement worried about enforcement and safety gaps.
Annapolis — Delegate Stewart told the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 4 that House Bill 309 is aimed at removing a barrier that keeps victims, witnesses and litigants away from courthouses: the risk of civil arrest while seeking court services. "This simply says that if there's no judicial warrant, there's not a real warrant signed by a real judge, you cannot be civilly stopped and arrested inside a courthouse," Stewart said during the committee hearing.
The Maryland Access to Justice Commission and other advocates testified the bill would protect neutral judicial spaces, allowing people to file protective orders, pursue eviction or benefits…
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