Hartman v. State

We consider whether a plea agreement entered into in the District Court of Maryland remains binding once a defendant files a de novo appeal to the circuit court, pursuant to Courts & Judicial Proceedings (Cts. & Jud. Proc.) § 12-401. 1 Keisha Ann Hartman (“Petitioner”) pled guilty to a theft charge in the District Court in exchange for the State’s recommendation that she receive no executed jail time. Both parties satisfied the terms of the plea agreement, but the District Court judge did not follow the State’s recommendation, instead imposing a sentence of thirty days’ incarceration.…