© 2024 WYPR
WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore WYPF 88.1 FM Frederick WYPO 106.9 FM Ocean City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bail Reform Bills in the General Assembly

Owen Byrne/flickr

Several bills before the General Assembly would change how bail is set for those awaiting trial in Maryland. 

One measure would require the judicial system to use statistical models and a computerized risk assessment tool to figure out how likely a defendant is to show for trial, or to commit a crime before trial. If the computerized tool reports the defendant is likely to appear in court, the defendant would be released.   
 

Senator Brian Frosh, a Democrat from Montgomery County and chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee, is sponsoring the bill. 
The Laura and John Arnold Foundation developed the tool. In this interview, Anne Milgram, Vice-President of Criminal Justice for the Arnold Foundation, explains what factors are taken into account that determine a defendant's level of risk. She also explains how the tool is working in Kentucky.

 
Sheilah Kast is joined in the studio by Paul DeWolfe, public defender for the state of Maryland and Chris Connelly, WYPR's State House Reporter.
Senator Frosh's bill, SB0973 "Criminal Procedure-Pretrial Confinement and Release" has a Senate hearing today. You can check the statushere
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sheilah Kast is the host of On The Record, Monday-Friday, 9:30-10:00 am.
Jamyla Krempel is WYPR's digital content director and the executive producer of Wavelength: Baltimore's Public Radio Journey. She collaborates with reporters, program and podcast hosts to create content for WYPR’s online platforms.