Andy Krew
BALT and BAAA Release Know Your Rights & ...
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BALT's 2024 General Election Ballot Breakdown!
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Maryland Information Act Compliance Board Rules ...
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2023 Year End Review
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Maryland Supreme Court rules in BALT and OJB’s ...

Community Leaders, Advocates and Allies Gather to Launch First Ever People’s Commission to Decriminalize Maryland

MARYLAND – Maryland residents are demanding change in our system of justice. Six months ago – at the invitation of Open Society Institute-Baltimore, and before COVID-19 began ravaging black and brown communities, and before the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others -- a group of Maryland advocates and activists came together to demand fundamental changes to Maryland's justice system. That effort is the People's Commission to Decriminalize Maryland.

“When we first conceived of this commission over a year ago, we had no idea that COVID-19 would turn all of our worlds upside down. The pandemic has helped to lay bare the multiple ways our laws build or prop up systems of racism and inequity. It has also inspired leaders and regular folk all over the world to rethink what is fair and what is possible. This Commission’s goals are ambitious, and it is needed now more than ever.” Tara Huffman, Director Criminal and Juvenile Justice Program, Open Society Institute – Baltimore.

Over 60 Organizations Across State Call on Maryland Legislators to Commit Support for Specific Meaningful Police Reforms

ANNAPOLIS, MD – A large, diverse coalition of over 60 groups from across the state are calling on Maryland legislators to support strong, renewed demands for police reform and accountability. Over the past few weeks, after the police killing of George Floyd and the national outcry that followed, elected leaders have issued countless statements, social media posts, and other expressions of solidarity with Black Marylanders who have suffered police abuse. The groups now urge legislators to act on those words and pass at least five impactful police reforms during the next Maryland General Assembly Legislative session.

BALT Demands Showing of Accountability for Officer's Use of Force

BALT submitted a Public Information Act demand of the Baltimore Police Department asking what type of accountability they took and are taking with Officer Terry Love Jr. for using such extreme violence in striking Sharnesha Street Friday night. Due to the level of force, the investigation must be conducted by the Departments Special Investigations Response Team. SIRT investigations are considered criminal investigations, and therefore beyond protection of the the PIA personnel records exemption. BPD knows of his history of misconduct.

COVID-19 BAIL FUND AND CALL TO ACTION TO STATE’S ATTORNEY AND BPD

BALT is operating a Bail Fund to help individuals who are sitting in jail during this public health emergency.

Individuals are currently locked in Baltimore City’s dangerous and unsanitary jail, and now are at an extremely heightened risk with the spread of COVID-19. State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby expressly agreed to take measures to mitigate the risks to those behind bars, but has not implemented all of the policies. Today, Mosby agreed to stop prosecuting drug possession, prostitution and other crimes. While this is a necessary step in reducing the risks to those behind bars, so much more needs to be done.

Baltimore Action Legal Team Files Three Suits Against Baltimore City To Assert Transparency

Baltimore Action Legal Team (BALT) Files Lawsuits To Make Internal Investigative Reports Into Baltimore Police Officers Public Records.

[BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 03/02/2020] — Today, local community organizations Baltimore Action Legal Team (BALT) and Open Justice Baltimore (OJB), filed three lawsuits against the Baltimore Police Department, the Office of the State’s Attorney, and the Civilian Review Board to increase transparency of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD). Each suit seeks to promote accountability around local police investigations and improve trust and relationships with law enforcement.

The organizations have requested the State’s Attorney’s Office release the confirmed possession of criminal investigation records of BPD officers measured in thousands of hours to reproduce, including an estimated 438 hours for just 2019 files. A jury has been requested to determine the necessity of releasing these documents to the public.

BALT Webinar | How to Provide Legal Support to Grassroots Organizations

On Thursday, July 25th, BALT hosted a webinar entitled How to Provide Support to Grassroots Organizations.  Dorcas Gilmore, co-Founder of BALT and visiting professor at University of Maryland School of Law was joined by Prof. Renee Hatcher of The John Marshall Law School and Prof. Susan Bennet of American University Washington College of Law.

During the webinar, the panelists identified shared features of grassroots organizations to connect those characteristics to organizational representation, discussed key elements and distinctions in organizational representation and tools to work with grassroots organizations.