Barnes v. State

On 5 March 1975 a Statement of Charges was filed in the District Court of Maryland, District 1, charging Sandra Barnes with shoplifting proscribed by Code, Art. 27, § 551A. She demanded a jury trial. Courts Art. § 4-301 (2) and § 4-302 (d). When the case came on for trial in the Criminal Court of Baltimore on 14 July 1975, the prosecutor informed the court, Baer, J., presiding: “This is to be a statement of facts on a not guilty plea.” Barnes was rearraigned. Defense counsel said: “The plea would be not guilty. We have had prior discussions with the State. We have agreed to proceed on a…