I have a misdemeanor possession of cds not Marijuana charge court date today in Frederick md

Question

I was planning on having my mother drive me to Frederick md for the possession of cds not Marijuana charge and request a jury trial because I heard that circuit Court easier on cases like that being they are used to trying major felony cases that question 1 is that a good idea? Question 2 my mother went to warm her car up and there was a loud explosion then there was antifreeze surrounded the whole car so now I don't have a ride to my court date scheduled for today at 1230pm is my Maryland public defender allowed to show up at my court date on my behalf today and request a jury trial for me without me being present? Please let me know any information you may have and I appreciate all the time and energy all replies are greatly appreciated no matter how big or small sincerely Mike Sigafoose

Eric Todd Kirk · Answer

You must exhaust every available effort to get to court. You have 5 hours. You should call the court, now, to tell them of your situation.

Mark Oakley · Answer

Take an Uber or call a friend and get to your court date. Only pray a jury trial on advice of experienced counsel who is familiar with your case, the judge you’re in front of and the prosecutor. You can always appeal an adverse result in District Court to Circuit Court and get a do-over so wasting a jury demand is usually not a good idea without a real good reason. Also, jury demands on the trial day are often instant jury trial transfers the same day, so this may not achieve the result you want.

Q: I have a misdemeanor possession of cds not Marijuana charge court date today in Frederick md