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Judiciary panel hears judges and prosecutors back bill to let some open‑container tickets be prepaid
Summary
Supporters told the House Judiciary Committee that letting people prepay certain open‑container citations (maximum $100) would reduce mandatory court appearances, shrink dockets and spare officers and judges unnecessary hearings; judges described a successful online pilot for traffic citations.
The House Judiciary Committee heard unanimous favorable testimony for House Bill 14‑41, which would change certain Maryland open‑container citations from "must‑appear" tickets to prepayable civil citations, letting recipients resolve cases without appearing in court.
Delegate Embry introduced the bill as a practical measure to reduce the number of low‑risk matters that clog district court dockets. "This would make it prepayable," the sponsor said, arguing the change would save time for defendants, police and judges.
Chief Judge John Morrissey of the district…
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