November 2024 Maryland Certiorari Grants

The Supreme Court of Maryland today granted review in four civil appeals and one criminal appeal.

Fred Cromartie v. State of Maryland – Case No. 31, September Term, 2024 (Bypass Review)
Issues – Criminal Law – 1) Can prosecutors designate a law enforcement officer as the State’s “representative” under Rule 5-615(b)(2), and thereby exempt the officer from otherwise mandatory witness sequestration? 2) If there is an officer exemption under Rule 5-615(b)(2), is that exemption discretionary? 3) May a law enforcement officer designated as a party representative under Rule 5-165(b)(2) provide lay opinion testimony relying on knowledge gained by hearing other witnesses testify?

Katrina Hare v. David S. Brown Enterprises, Ltd. – Case No. 32, September Term, 2024 (Bypass Review)
Issue – State Government – Where a tenant’s rent is subsidized by a housing voucher, does a landlord’s imposition of an income requirement that ignores the share of rent guaranteed by the voucher and has the effect of excluding voucher holders constitute source-of-income discrimination in violation of Md. Code Ann., State Government § 20-705?

Todd A. Pattison v. Deborah Pattison – Case No. 33, September Term, 2024 (Reported ACM Opinion by Judge Graeff)
Issue – Family Law – Did the trial court err in holding that the Voluntary Separation and Property Settlement Agreement signed by both parties was valid and enforceable?

In the Matter of the Marriage of Houser – Case No. 34, September Term, 2024 (Reported ACM Opinion by Judge Arthur)
Issues – Family Law – 1) Did the trial court err when it issued a child support order after the parties had voluntarily withdrawn child support as a justiciable issue, and the court did so over the objections of the parents who the court found to be fit and proper? 2) Did the trial court mis-apply the statute, or abuse its discretion, when the court order child support and arrears over the express objection of the parents who the court found to be fit and proper? 3) Did the trial court violate the parents’ constitutional rights when the court sua sponte, and without evidence, rejected their agreement regarding the financial support of their child when the parents were found to be fit and proper? 4) Does the Maryland child support statute permit parents to waive a party’s child support obligation, as part of a global settlement agreement, where the parties have shared physical custody, and their combined adjusted gross income exceeds the highest level of income set forth in the Maryland child support Guidelines? 5) Does the ACM’s decision have a chilling effect on parents’ rights to enter into agreements that they believe to be in their children’s best interest?

Jennifer Adelakun v. Adeniyi Adelakun – Case No. 35, September Term, 2024 (Reported ACM Opinion by Judge Graeff)
Issue – Courts and Judicial Proceedings – Is an order denying pendente lite child support and alimony appealable under § 12-303(3)(v) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article?