Evening star., 1954-09-18
Maryland Editor Hits
Juvenile Courts
Practices in District
BY the Associated Press

OCEAN CITY, Md, Sept. 18.-
A Maryland newspaper editor
today described juvenile court
practices in the District of CO.
lumbia as a "legalized secrecy so
fantastic that law officials them
selves are frustrated in trying to
find out what is going on"
Oscar Morris, editor of the
Salisbury Times. warned that
such practices could easily spread
to Maryland unless editors are
alert. He said a judicial COM
mittee which is recodifying Mary
land laws and rules of court
procedures will probably take up
the subject of juvenile court pro-
cedures next year.
"We must inform our own
judges of our belief in the peoples
right to know" added Mr..
Morris in a report prepared for
a meeting of newspaper editors
and publishers here. I'VE must
have the opportunity of sitting
with the bench and the bar to
preserve the constitutional right
commonly called the freedom of
the press" .a
Editors of 4 States.
Mr.. Morris. who is also chair
man of the Freedom of Informa-
ton Committee of the Chesa-
peake Association of the Asso-
ciated Press. spoke at a joint
business session of the Maryland
and the Del-Mar-Va Press AS
sociationS. Southeastern Penn
sylvania weekly newspaper pub
fishers and editors were guests
of the Maryland, Delaware and
Virginia newsmen for the three
day meeting.
Mr.. Morris said a study he
conducted showed that with few
exceptions newsmen presently are
allowed to sit in on juvenile
court hearings in Maryland and
that judges respect the news
mems Judgment in not printing
the names of youngsters who get
into trouble.
He contrasted this with press
and juvenile court relationships
in the District, which he said
has a strict law barring access
to juvenile court records or pro-
ceedings.
Practices Listed.
Mr.. Morris study turned up
the following current practices
in Maryland:
First Judicial Circuit (Wicom-
leo, Worcester, Somerset and
Dorchester Countie Sl-"The
judges are unanimous In hold
ing informal but open sessions
OF the juvenile court in their
chambers, with the press pres
ent."
Second Circuit Caroline, Cecil,
Kent. Queen Annes and Talbot
Similar procedure to the First
Circuit. Chief Judge William r,
Horney says he can't recall the
press attending but that it is
most certainly not excluded. "
Third Circuit Baltimore and
Hartford Counties. Judge John
B. Centrum says he does not
permit spectators at juvenile
hearings in his chambers and
adds: Nor do I have members
of the press present except in
unusual cases and on no occa-
sion are the juveniles named in
the press"
Fourth Circuit (Allegany
Washington and Garrett Coun-
tleS)-Informal but open hear
ings in chambers with the press
allowed to be present. Allegany
and Washington Counties have
juvenile magistrates and there is
right of appeal or waiver to the
circuit court, which then sits as
juvenile court.
Fifth Circuit (Anne Arundel
Carroll and Howard Countless
Judge James B. Boylan favor.
excluding all persons except the
child, his parents and officers
Occasional news items are pub.
lished. on information supplied
by police officers, but names o1
juveniles are not used.
Sixth Circuit (Frederick anr
Montgomery Counties)-Circui
court sits as juvenile court il
Frederick. and Montgomery ha.
magistrate for juvenile cases
Under neither system is pres,
excluded.
Seventh Circuit Calvert
Charles. Prince Georges. st
Marys)-Chief Judge John B
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