MD-COURTS

Kim v. Parcel K-Tudor Hall Farm - Interpleader Finality of Judgment

The Court of Special Appeals of Maryland dismissed an appeal in Kim v. Parcel K-Tudor Hall Farm, ruling that an interpleader judgment is not final until all claimant claims are resolved. The court found the appeal premature as the circuit court had not yet completed the second step of the interpleader process.

Cutchember v. State - Criminal Procedure Retroactivity

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that the state's new law (CP § 1-211), which prohibits stops or searches based solely on the odor of cannabis, does not apply retroactively to incidents occurring before its July 1, 2023 effective date. This decision impacts the application of the exclusionary remedy for cannabis-related stops and searches conducted prior to the statute's enactment.

City of Brunswick v. Handler - Police Disciplinary Procedures

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision in City of Brunswick v. Handler, ruling that the Maryland Police Accountability Act's trial board process applies to all disciplinary actions against police officers, not just those involving the public. This clarifies the scope of disciplinary procedures for law enforcement agencies in Maryland.

Dennie v. Montgomery County - Workers' Compensation Offset Law

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled that the workers' compensation law in effect at the time of an employee's disablement, not a later amendment, applies to benefit offset calculations. The court reversed a lower court's decision, remanding the case for further proceedings.

Reid v. Balt. Ambulatory Center - Expert Witness Qualifications in Health Care Malpractice

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled that an anesthesiologist can provide expert testimony on the standard of care for a gastroenterologist's post-procedure assessment, provided the specialties are related and the issue overlaps. This clarifies expert witness qualification requirements under the Health Care Malpractice Claims Act.

Wharton v. State - Probation Extension Consent Ruling

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled that an illegal probation extension, even if consented to by the defendant, is void. The court found that while a defendant may consent to probation terms, they cannot consent to illegal conditions, and violations under such an extension are invalid. This ruling impacts how probation extensions with impermissible conditions are handled in Maryland courts.

Kyere v. Durand - Arbitration Agreement

The Court of Special Appeals of Maryland addressed whether a non-signatory agent can enforce an arbitration agreement. The court affirmed that doctors employed by a hospital had standing to compel arbitration under an employment agreement, citing interdependent misconduct and agency.

In re Holder - Collateral Estoppel in Insurance Regulatory Scheme

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled that administrative hearings under the Insurance Article can have collateral estoppel effects on later proceedings, clarifying the application of collateral estoppel to regulatory schemes. The court also addressed the good faith requirement for claim denials and the separation of civil claims from judicial review petitions.

Bailey v. Happer - SAFE ACT Retroactive Application

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled in Bailey v. Happer that the SAFE Act may not be applied retroactively, but conduct predating the statute can be considered. The court affirmed a $395,310 award for financial exploitation.

Attorney Grievance Commission v. Jones - Reinstatement Order

The Maryland Court of Appeals granted the Attorney Grievance Commission's motion to reinstate Gregory Wayne Jones and dismiss the disciplinary petition. This order restores Mr. Jones to good standing and permits him to practice law in Maryland.