Capital News Service

Coalition seeks voting access for Marylanders awaiting trial

Coalition seeks voting access for Marylanders awaiting trial

Thousands of Maryland residents will not cast a ballot in this year’s election because they are behind bars.  They have not had their voting rights taken from them.  In fact, they have not been convicted of a crime. But because they are in jail prior to adjudication, they won’t get voting information. They won’t get a ballot. They won’t vote.

Lawyers guide Baltimore residents in leaving some criminal records behind

Lawyers guide Baltimore residents in leaving some criminal records behind

In Maryland, convictions for some civil citations, nuisance crimes and marijuana possession are eligible for expungement. Other convictions, such as public intoxication, prostitution, theft and trespassing, require a 10- to 15-year waiting period. Even cases that result in dismissals or acquittals can linger on a criminal record and require going through the expungement process in order to be removed.