With the closure of schools, restaurants, movies, churches, entertainment venues, sports activities, all states and the District of Columbia must consider closing all courts except for emergency matters. While each state must weigh the decision against the health options, the health options and possible loss of life must outweigh any other considerations. Today, the Trump administration recommended no public gatherings over 10 persons. I was last in court on March 5, 6 with a client. The large Maryland criminal courtroom was filled with standing room only. As the person sitting in front of me wearing a mask, began coughing, I became nervous. One-week later Friday, March 13, 2020, Maryland Governor Hogan closed all Maryland state courts to the public until April 3, 2020. In Michigan, state courts have recommended the postponement of all civil and criminal trials unless a defendant is in custody. Large court rooms are a hotbed of germs on even any non-Coronavirus pandemic day. It … [Read more...] about All Courts Should Close due to Coronavirus
Lawyers
What Are Lawyers Saying About the Freddie Gray Case
In a little less than a month, the six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray will be arraigned in Baltimore Circuit Court. There are a number of questions outstanding in this case –more will crop up as more details emerge – but some big ones have already developed. Former Baltimore prosecutor Debbie Hines says, “Without having one of the police officers testify against the others, the prosecution doesn’t have a witness who can say this is exactly what happened, this is what officer Goodson said, this is what officer whatever said. She doesn’t have that,” Hines says. Baltimore NPR affiliate WYPR reporter Chris Connelly asked some thought provoking questions on the Freddie Gray case of lawyers who have experience on both sides of the aisle with criminal cases to get their perspective. For more on NPR affiliate's discussion with criminal defense attorney Dwight Pettit, University of Maryland Professor Byron Warnken and attorney and former prosecutor Debbie Hines, visit … [Read more...] about What Are Lawyers Saying About the Freddie Gray Case