May 2025 Maryland Certiorari Grants

Today the Supreme Court of Maryland granted review in one civil appeal and two criminal appeals. In two of the opinions under review, Judge Harrell dissented from the Appellate Court’s opinion).

William L. Hallam v. New Life Evangelical Baptist Church, et al. – Case No. 15, September Term, 2025 (Unreported ACM Opinion by Judge Friedman; dissent by Judge Harrell)
Issues – Real Property – 1) Did ACM err in holding that Respondents were able to raise their claim of fraud in post-sale exceptions filed pursuant to Rule 14-305(3)? 2) Did ACM err in holding that Respondents had preserved their right to raise their claim of fraud post-sale where they had failed to perfect their right to litigate the same fraud claim pre-sale?

State of Maryland v. Michael Eugene Stone – Case No. 16, September Term, 2025 (Unreported ACM Opinion by Judge Shaw; dissent by Judge Harrell)
Issue – Transportation – Do police officers have reasonable suspicion to effectuate a traffic stop for use of a mobile phone while driving, in violation of §§ 21-1124 to 21-1124.2 of the Transportation Article, when they observe a driver manipulating a mobile phone in a manner that is consistent with sending a text message or initiating a phone call?

Jeffrey Reyes v. State of Maryland – Case No. 17, September Term, 2025 (Reported ACM Opinion by Judge Sharer)
Issues – Criminal Law – 1) When is a criminal defendant’s sentence imposed under Maryland Rule 4-345? 2) Did the trial court illegally increase Petitioner’s sentence when sentencing him to one year, suspend all but nine months, followed by three years of supervised probation but later, after advising Petitioner of his post-trial rights, changing the sentence to five years, suspend all but nine months, and three years of supervised probation?