State v. Mayor of Baltimore

We granted the State’s petition for a writ of certiorari in this case.to determine whether Baltimore City is liable for unpaid criminal court costs incurred when an accused has been relieved of the obligation to pay the costs because of his indigency or because of a disposition of criminal proceedings in his favor.

In 1973 and 1974, Baltimore City (the City), without objection, paid to the Clerk of the Criminal Court of Baltimore (now the Circuit Court for Baltimore City) 1 approximately $152,000 for criminal court costs 2 incurred between July 1,1972, and July 1,1973. As a result of a 1974…