State v. Smith

State of Maryland v. Karl Smith, No. 2094, September Term, 2018. Opinion by Fader, C.J. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE — PLEA AGREEMENTS — MOTIONS FOR JUDGMENTS OF ACQUITTAL A trial court has no authority to grant a motion for judgment of acquittal during a pretrial hearing convened to decide whether to approve a plea agreement in a criminal case. If the court finds that a factual basis for the plea is lacking or otherwise finds the plea agreement deficient, then its options are as specified in Rules 4-242 and 4-243. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE — COMMON LAW — DOUBLE JEOPARDY Double jeopardy principles do not bar…