Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The civil liberties organization says a bill designed to restrict protests near schools in Baltimore County violates the First Amendment.
A bill that would prohibit protests within 300 feet of any school in Baltimore County is being called offensive and unconstitutional by the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland. "This bill is flagrantly unconstitutional and frankly offensive," said David Rocah, a staff attorney for the Baltimore-based civil liberties organization. "The idea that students need to be protected from political free speech is about as offensive an idea as I can think of. I think Councilman [Todd] Huff ought to be ashamed." The bill, introduced March 18 by Huff, a Timonium Republican, would prohibit any protests within 300 feet of any public or private school in Baltimore County. If passed, protests would be prohibited during school hours or within one …
Monday, July 30, 2012
Four-page opinion hints that justices will likely overturn Maryland ruling involving the collection of samples from people charged with felonies.
UPDATED (6:00 p.m.)—U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts continued a stay in the Maryland Court of Appeals ruling that had stopped police departments in Maryland from collecting DNA samples from some arrestees. With the delay continued, police in Maryland can continue to collect the samples until the Supreme Court issues an opinion. Roberts, in a four-page order, wrote that there is a reasonable chance that Maryland could win its appeal and overturn the Court of Appeals ruling. "[The Maryland Court of Appeals] decision conflicts with decisions of the U. S. Courts of Appeals for the Third and Ninth Circuits as well as the Virginia Supreme Court, which have upheld statutes similar to Maryland’s DNA Collection Act," Roberts wrote. …
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
State sought delay in implementing ruling that declared Maryland's "good and substantial reason" requirement for a gun permit was unconstitutional.
UPDATED (4:16 p.m.)—A U.S. District Court judge has lifted a stay on a federal court ruling that declared Maryland's permitting process to wear and carry a gun unconstitutional. The order, issued by Judge Benson Everett Legg, lifts a stay sought by the state as it appeals the decision made last year. Legg's ruling, which goes into effect in 14 days, lifts the stay sought by the state after a federal court ruled that the law requiring those seeking a permit to carry a gun must have "a good or substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun, such as a finding that the permit is necessary as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger." David Paulson, a spokesman for Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, said the ruling "is…
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Collection resumed at 6 p.m., just one day after Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts stayed a Maryland Court of Appeals ruling.
UPDATED (6:45 p.m.)—Baltimore County police have resumed collection of DNA samples from people arrested on felony charges. County Police Chief Jim Johnson announced the decision late Thursday afternoon. Johnson, in a statement, ordered the resumption of DNA collections beginning at 6 p.m. The decision to once again collect the samples comes one day after Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issues a stay on a Maryland Court of Appeals ruling banning the practice. County officials initially said Wednesday, following Roberts' order, that police would likely wait to resume collecting the samples until after opponents had an opportunity to file a response with Roberts. State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger said he changed his mind after he …
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Chief Justice John Roberts stays Maryland Court of Appeals ruling striking down the collection of DNA samples from people arrested for felonies.
UPDATED (6:21 p.m.)—Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger said a Supreme Court order Wednesday will not result in the immediate resumption of collecting DNA samples from people arrested for certain crimes. "I'm not prepared to tell county police to start collecting DNA from arrestees," Shellenberger said. "I think we need something a little more solid before we start changing procedures." Chief Justice John Roberts' order stayed an April Maryland Court of Appeals ruling that barred law enforcement from collecting DNA samples from people arrested and charged with felonies. The Court of Appeals made the 5-2 ruling in the case of Alonzo King who was arrested in 2009. Wicomico County collected King's DNA at the time of his …
Buck Harmon
10:19 am on Friday, March 29, 2013
Huff is creating his own track record of pulling some pretty dumb stunts...this violation of first amendment rights being just one...if he were truly good at what he does he would be shining...not failing...he might want to re consider mounting tires and doin oil changes... more ›