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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 court told the committee the judiciary supports the bill. "This system has proven effective in reducing mandatory court appearances while still preserving the right to contest a citation," Morrissey said, citing a pilot online resolution program now in four counties and modeled on the cannabis‑citation process used since 01/01/2023. He said the pilot already has over 1,000 registered users and will soon be promoted statewide.
Associate Judge Eric Nee of the Montgomery County District Court also urged passage, telling members that the current "must‑appear" requirement often produces non‑appearances that require time‑consuming contempt proceedings and repeated docket entries. "This simple change is also a win for defendants who will not have to take a half day off of work on a must‑appear citation just to plead guilty," Nee said.
Robert Hill, a Montgomery County prosecutor who testified virtually, said prosecutors and the Maryland State's Attorneys Association back the bill because it trims caseloads and streamlines resolution of low‑level matters.
Committee members sought confirmation that the maximum fine affected by the bill remains $100; a lawmaker clarified that the statutory maximum would not be increased. After questions about mechanics and fairness, the chair closed the favorable testimony and the committee moved on to other business.
The committee did not take a vote during the hearing. The next procedural step would be committee consideration of amendments and a report to the full House; proponents said the judiciary and the state's attorneys' offices would work with staff on implementing language and on the technical integration of the online resolution option.
