State’s Attorney Charlie Smith Against Proposed Sentencing Modification Rule Change

FREDERICK, MD –  Today, State’s Attorney Charlie Smith sent a letter to members of the Rules Committee for the Maryland Court of Appeals to express his opposition to a proposed change in Rule 4-345, which gives the court the power of sentencing modification. Under a recent proposal, offenders receiving lengthy sentences for heinous crimes committed before the age of 25 or those that are 65 and older and deemed “not likely to be a danger to anyone if released” would be eligible for reconsideration of their sentence. Smith’s opposition to the change is driven by a strong desire to protect victims from the additional trauma of sentence modification hearings.

 

Smith wrote, “The age of the defendant at the time of the crime, or their age after they have served a significant portion of their sentence, has little import when compared to the devastating lifelong impact of these type crimes.  Parole already exists and, if appropriate, may be granted.  To change Rule 4-345 in the manner suggested is to chip away at a victim’s rights in the Criminal Justice System.”

 

LINK: Smith Letter to Rules Committee