State v. Holsen

State of Maryland v. Garrett Lee Holsen, No. 1410, September Term, 2022. Opinion by Nazarian, J. JUDICIAL AUTHORITY TO DISMISS CHARGES – VERDICTS – JURY FUNCTION When a trial court dismisses criminal charges, it must ground its decision in a specific source of authority, such as preserving the defendant’s constitutional rights. The risk of inconsistent verdicts is insufficient to authorize a trial court to dismiss charges. Inconsistent verdicts may be remedied after the fact. DOUBLE JEOPARDY – DISMISSAL OF CHARGES When a trial court has no authority to dismiss a criminal charge, the dismissal…