Measure to keep gun offenders behind bars wins early approval (MD)

[davepc]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-guns0224,0,6009851.story

The House of Delegates this morning gave preliminary approval to one of two crime bills being pushed by Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon: a measure that would prevent bail commissioners from releasing convicted gun offenders if they are arrested anew.

The law, which Baltimore's police commissioner has said will "take guns out of the hands of bad guys," would require courts to hold convicted gun offenders on a no-bail status if they have a new arrest.

The bill still requires final approval by the House and consideration by the Maryland Senate.

[tangent90]

1. Well, good. I'm a -strong- 2nd Amendment supporter and I approve this leg.

:D

[billyoc]

2. Horrendously unconstitutional. Shame on Dixon for this electioneering stunt.

The right to a speedy trial is more important.

[iverglas]

3. Canada's Conservatives

pushed through a reverse-onus bill a while back with similar effect: in certain types of cases, including new charges while out on bail, the accused has to "show cause" why s/he should be released on bail, rather than the prosecution having to show cause why s/he should not.

Not quite as draconian, of course. But

Yes, really; unconstitutional, unless some recognized justification could be provided, and the prospects for that would seem dim.

I don't know whether ours has been challenged yet.

[bossy22]

4. unconstitutional

there has to be an extraordinary reason to deny an ACCUSED person bail...just being a former gun offender is not good enough.

[jeepnstein]

5. Bad idea.

Perhaps if they were focusing on denying bail to offenders with a history of crimes of violence it might fly. One conviction for mere possession of a firearm probably isn't enough to show the accused is a flight risk or somehow a threat to society. Does Baltimore have a problem with people out on bail or are they looking for an easy target? It's still "innocent until proven guilty" in the U.S. and I'm not a bit interested in seeing that change.

Bail's not that big of a deal anyway. If they screw up while out on bail the judge can always revoke it. If they rabbit then the insurance company will find them. The kind of person who can make bail usually has better resources and a support structure that usually keeps them out of trouble at least until they make it to trial.

The bigger problem is with getting the offenders arrested in the first place. We have an entire sub-culture in the United States that thrives on lawless behavior and organized criminal activity. It's turned into a big business and is an equal-opportunity employer.

[davepc]

6. Do Maryland Jails have that much extra space in them?

One would think that the bail system as it currently works would manage to utilize the resources of the states penal system a little better then denying bail because of one factor while disregarding all others.

[old mark]

7. It's a cheap political stunt - most gun charges are pled down to

nothing or dismissed in plea agreements. Gun charges must be prosecuted, not allowed to slide.

mark

[spin]

8. Wow!!! Target criminals with guns...what a great idea!

Ideas like this might actually do some good.