MD
In Re: Adoption/Guardianship of Gerald M. (Amicus Brief)
The Brennan Center was a signatory on a brief filed on behalf of a father who lost custody of his son after being incarcerated. The brief argued that by failing to facilitate reunification and the address the unique circumstances of parental incarceration, the child placement agency violated federal and state law.
Maryland ends prison-based gerrymandering
In April, Maryland took a bold step that corrects at least one democratic abuse of its prison population. Governor Martin O’Malley signed into law the No Representation Without Population Act. This Act counts individuals who are in prison in their home districts rather than the districts where they are currently incarcerated when redistricting the state.
Feingold & Kemp: DRA Trumps Politics
Sen. Feingold and Sec. Kemp joined together last week to propose the Democracy Restoration Act…The proposal is noteworthy for several reasons, not the least of which is that it is made by two prominent political figures: a Democrat and a Republican…
Restoring the Right to Vote Gains Momentum
Florida, the scene of infamous election-day chaos and massive voter purges during the 2000 presidential election, took an important step towards resolving its democratic crisis yesterday. Governor Crist’s bold action was just the latest in a national movement that has gained significant momentum in the past year.
Large Number of People Who Face Foreclosures Don’t Have a Lawyer
New York - A new in-depth study by the Brennan Center for Justice released Oct. 6, 2009, shows that disturbing numbers of families face foreclosure proceedings without the aid of legal counsel.
Brennan Center Study Shows Parole Fees Undercut Reentry
Maryland’s parole supervision fee raises little state revenue, while burdening parolees with debt they cannot pay.
Ten Best Practices to Increase Women and Minority Jurists
Brennan Center releases Improving Judicial Diversity, a revealing examination of the appointive systems in ten states.
Testimony in Maryland House of Delegates in Support of Bill to Ease Burden of Criminal Justice Fees
Testimony before the Maryland House of Delegates’ Judiciary Committee in support of bill to fix exemption program for parole supervision fee.
Testimony of Adam Skaggs on MD Judicial Elections and Senate Bill 833
The subject of today’s hearing on Senate Bill 833, would conform the selection of Maryland’s circuit court judges with the selection system used to choose other judges in Maryland. In particular, Senate Bill 833 would replace contested elections with a system of appointment and retention elections.
Testimony in Maryland Senate Supporting Bill to Ease Burden of Fees on Indigent Parolees
Testimony before the Maryland Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of bill to fix exemption program for parole supervision fee.
Proof of Citizenship Requirements; Chart of State Legislation
In the current session (2009–2010), legislators across the country have begun to propose proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration. The chart here, last updated on 12/2/2009, sets forth the known bills and their current status.