CRIMINAL LAW

By

Thomas Campbell Morrow, Esq.

Shaw & Morrow, P.A.

Towson, Maryland

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent changes in Maryland law, MICPEL strongly advises that attorneys using this book and/or the attached forms in dealing with a client’s or their own legal matters should also research original sources of authority for changes in law or citations.

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION ........... 7

A. Initial Contact with Defendant ............ 7

B. Initial Bail Hearing 7

C. Bail Review 7

II... PREPARING THE CASE 8

A. Felony Cases and the Preliminary Hearing ............ 8

B. Misdemeanor Cases 9

C. Discovery in the District Court .. 9

D. Judge or Jury Trial .......... 10

III.. PLEADING THE CASE 10

A. Plea Bargaining ....... 10

1. Alford Plea ... 10

2. Not guilty/statement of facts ... 10

3. Agreement as to sentence ... 11

4. Plea procedure ... 11

B. Non-jury Trial .. 12

IV. JURY TRIAL ......... 12

A. Jury Selection .......... 12

1. Generally ... 12

2. Roll call ... 13

3. Voir dire examination 13

4. Challenges for cause 14

5. Selecting the jury ... 14

6.. Peremptory challenges ... 15

7.. Method of exercising peremptory challenges ... 15

8. Batson issues 16

B. Preliminary Matters .......... 16

1. Sequestration of witnesses ... 16

2. Motions in limine ... 17

C. Trial .. 17

1. Order and Procedure ... 17

2.. Objections and Preserving the Record 18

D. Jury Instructions ....... 19

E. Verdict 20

F. Hung Jury .......... 20

V. SENTENCING 20

A. Pre-Sentence Investigation Request .......... 21

B. Maryland Sentencing Guidelines ....... 21

C. Mitigating Circumstances 21

D. Sentence Memorandum .. 22

E. Allocution .......... 23

F. Mandatory Sentences ....... 23

G. The Merger Doctrine .......... 23

H. Probation/Probation Before Judgment .......... 23

VI. SENTENCE REVISION ..... 24

A. Sentence Revision by the Circuit Court 24

B. Sentence Revision by the Original Court 24

VII. APPEAL AND CERTIORARI 25

VIII. PROBATION VIOLATION .. 26

IX. POST CONVICTION PROCEDURE 27

X. WRIT OF CORAM NOBIS ......... 27

XI.. EXPUNGEMENT ...... 27

XII. FORMS 28

Form 1. Interview Checklist 29

Form 2. Notice of Appearance 34

Form 3. Motion to Withdraw Appearance of Counsel 35

Form 4. Order Granting Leave to Withdraw 36

Form 5. Request for Preliminary Hearing 37

Form 6. Motion to Reduce Bond 38

Form 7. Plea 40

Form 8. Plea Agreement Letter 42

Form 9. Guilty Plea Litany 46

Form 10. Plea of Not Guilty and Not Criminally Responsible 50

Form 11. Motion for Independent Psychiatric
Examination and Supporting Affidavits 51

Form 12. Demand for Bill of Particulars 60

Form 13. Motion to Compel Response to Particulars 62

Form 14. Order Compelling Response to Particulars 63

Form 15. Motion for Discovery and Production of Documents 64

Form 16. Motion for Disclosure of Impeaching Information 71

Form 17. Motion to Compel Discovery and Request for
Continuance 73

Form 18. Motion to Suppress Evidence Pursuant to
Maryland Rule 4-252 75

Form 19. Motion for Immediate Trial 76

Form 20. Waiver of Maryland Rule 4-271 Speedy Trial
Requirements 77

Form 21. Motion to Dismiss the Indictment or Stay Proceedings
Pursuant to Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 8-211(a) 78

Form 22. Defendant’s Suggestion for Removal 80

Form 23. Motion for Relief from Prejudicial Joinder 81

Form 24. Voir Dire 83

Form 25. Motion for New Trial 87

Form 26. Order for Appeal by Defendant 89

Form 27. Petition for Modification or Reduction of Sentence 90

Form 28. Sentencing Memorandum 92