The fifteen Republican legislators in Allegany County voted Monday to ask the state to amend or delay implementation of criminal justice reforms set to take effect January 1st. Those reforms prohibit judges from setting bail after most criminal arrests and also modifies discovery of evidence. Before the meeting, Allegany County Public Defender Barb Kelley strongly encouraged lawmakers not to adopt the resolution, but her request fell on deaf hears. Lawmakers also agreed to hold their reorganization meeting on January 2nd.
The Board also agreed to create a new position of 911 Dispatcher and hire a new worker. The Legislature also approved the creation of a full-time position of case work in the Social Services Office.
