Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-08-04
THE POLICE JUSTICE LAW.
Its Savings Minutely Detailed By
The Author.

this county has been the subject of great
deal of discussion by few people of the
county, as author of the bill in the last
General Assembly felt it my dutyto make
an examination of the work that has been
done during its existence and to compare
its operation with the methods of prOce-
dure in criminal cases heretofore in vogue,
and at the same time state few of the
reasons that prompted me in securing its
enactment.
First, after a careful examination of the
dockets of the court it appears that since
its Inauguration year ago the police JUS
tice has had under consideration for deter
mination S55 cases, of which 1855 were
criminal and 20 civil suits.
Of the 1856 criminal actions, there were
80 charges of vagrancy. 81 larceny, IL
juveniles, 283 disorderly, II peace war
rants. l07 assault and battery, murder,
S assaulting an officer, 20 selling intoxi-
eating liquors, Is malicious destruction OF
property, SO assault with intent to murder,
6 rape, 3 keeping disorderly house, 22
| bastardy, 3 habitual drunkardS, Z habitually
disorderly 2 manslaughter, desertion OF
wife and child, 2 nOnsupport, IL gambling,
Al violations of speed by automobiles,
concealed weapons, S perjury 5 assaultin9
wife, ID search warrants, 3 assaults with
intent to main, 2 obtaining goods under
false pretenses, | embeZZlement, arson,
II robbery, unlawful hunting, 2 violations
of the Sabbath law, violations of the
game law, hunting on Sunday, tres
passing cruelty to animals. ii burglary,
l receiving stolen goods, S inquests.
Two hundred and nineteen warrants were
issued by other justices of the peace and
made returnable to and the charges heard
by the police justice. Of the 2l9 warrants,
1877 had to be re-issued or amended by
reason of their improper construction be-
fore the trial could be heard 1l6 of these
charges were dismissed by the police JUS
tice because there were no grounds for the
CHARGES; 1872 cases were sent to the grand
| Jury 255 charges were dismissed in all
the prosecuting witnesses paid the costs of
the State in Ga cases 81 violations of the
town ordinances were adjudicated; 45S
persons were committed to jail for hear
ings, action of the grand jury and to serve
sentence imposed in default of fine and
costs or their inability to secure bail for a
hearing or for action of the grand jury.
Thirty-seven persons were sentenced to
the Maryland House of Correction for terms
varying from two months to one year
Thirty-three appeals, both civil and GRIM
inal, were noted from the decisions of the
police justice, all of which decisions were
sustained except six, which were dismissed
for failure to make proper entries.
The amount OF fines, penalties, forfei-
lures and costs imposed, collected and ac
counted for to the incorporated towns,
county and State for the past year was
! $3,057.99.
For the fiscal year 19O9-l0 the amount
accounted for by all the justices of the
peace in the county just prior to the estab-
lishment of the police court was S52.2O,
or $3,005.79 less than was returned by
operation of the police justice law.
The county commissioners levied this
year $756 to pay the police justice for his
years work
Two hundred and six dollars was levied
for all the other justices Of the peace this
year as against $47795 for all of them
last year Collectively the justices received
$27l9 IS less this year than last year. Con-
sidering that there are 40 justices in the
county and that they have collectively
suffered the loss in fees of $27l.95, it ap-
pears that pro rata they lose about $3.50.
The commissioners levied for constables
fees in 1910 $554.10; in 1911, $363.09,
or $l91.0l less than the previous year be-
fore the police court. Considering that
there are 80 constables. it would appear
that they lost pro rata about $8.37.
The sheriffs account this year is some
what in excess of previous years, due to
the facts that larger number of cases have
been handled by the sheriff than ever be-
fore and that greater number of persons
we're committed to jail than ever before in
the history of the county.
The States Attorneys fees are about the
same by reason of his appearances and
prosecutions of all cases in the police court.
However. this was anticipated, and an act
was introduced and passed making the
office of States Attorney salaried Office
at 81, 900 per annum instead Of fees not
to exceed $4,000 This law will take effect
January l. 1872 and substantial saving
made
The circuit court expenses were greater
this year by $110466 than those Of the
year previous. This increase was due en-
tirely to civil litigation and to cases re-
moved from other counties for trial This
increase is not due to trials OF criminal
cases. Considering the costs of civil litiga-
| ton, which were far greater this year than
any recent year. and the costs of removed
cases. for which the county will be reim-
bursed, the amount expended for criminal
cases is very much smaller now than form
erly This much can be said, however,
that at the March term the jury was not
empaneled for the purpose Of trying crimi-
nal cases, and consequently the jury was
of no service so far as criminal cases COM
ing from the police court or grand jury were
concerned.
Now for the reasons that prompted me
to propose this litigation, for which want
to assume the entire responsibility and TO
relieve my colleagues in the House and
/ \ ndi haf ho
attached to its inception or drafting.
The old method was cumbersome, expen-
sive. antiquated, injudicious and burdened
with many evils sufficient TO cause alarm
for the safety Of ones liberty or property.
Now TO Illustrate why il was cumbersome
and expensive Take for instance charge
Of assault. the most common oifense, and
statistics show il is more often committed
than any other Ofiense. John Doe was
arrested and taken before local justice,
was compelled TO give bail for his appear
ance for a preliminary hearing. The State
Attorney was either there or not there, and
if there charged $40 for his appearance fee.
Two dollars and fifty cents was charged
for bringing the prisoner from Jail for trial.
With the preliminary hearing over, the
costs already amount to SIT so three wit
nesses for the State cost 81. John Doe
was either dismissed by reason Of no foun-
dalton to the charge or held for the action
Of the grand jury, or was Obliged 10 give
bail for his appearance He may have
stayed in jail 80 days. until the grand
jury met, at cost Of $27 to the county
for his board, and So to the constable for
his recOmmitment. The total costs now
reach 5000. At the session Of the grand
Jury 20 men heard prosecuting witnesses,
who had been present for DAYS, at a cost