Maryland Seeks to Eliminate ALL Pre-Trial Fees

Pre-trial is often used to keep track of alleged criminals prior to court dates and usually there are a number of fees--this should be eliminated considering you are innocent until proven guilty and should not be paying into a system you should not be in to begin with.

According to the article below, six years ago, the elimination of pre-trial fees was proposed and rejected, it will be making its way back on the table this spring for a vote. Considering pre-trial services are often used prior to court, even suggested in order to make one "look better" even if actually innocent, yet clients are charged enormous fees. This is a failed system because if you are found not guilty or case is thrown out on technicality, you will have still paid into a system that you never belonged in to begin with. Why should a person not yet found guilty pay to contribute towards proving their innocence. If a judge releases someone on bail with pre-trial conditions, fees attached to those services should be waived because guilt has not yet been determined. Not like they will give you your money back if your case is dismissed or you are found innocent. Let's hope they get it right this time because innocent people should not have to pay due to the incompetency of law enforcement or even lawmakers. Eliminate all pre-trial fees prior to court hearings and determination of guilt or innocence. The following article touches briefly on the subject in addition to discussing bail reform in 2020-2021: https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-op-0712-covid-pretrial-bail-reform-20200710-iqh3xgody5e7bkr6is2schatqe-story.html