Target: Adrienne A. Jones, Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates
Goal: Give a voice to the voiceless by eliminating the “immunity defense” for police officers accused of brutality.
Far too often, policemen and women have walked away from accusations of brutality, harassment, and racism by enacting the “immunity defense” or “qualified immunity.” This legal loophole prevents officers from being held personally liable for an action that does not violate a “clearly established” law. This technicality and specific language have allowed dozens of officers to walk free in the wake of serious accusations of wrongdoing.
This may soon come to an end, however, in Maryland. The Maryland state government is proposing legislation that would eliminate the “immunity defense” and make it easier for victims of police brutality to file civil suits against their abusers. If officers are found liable in these civil suits, they can be decertified and lose their pensions.
Those incarcerated awaiting trial or convicted of misdemeanors would be able to register to vote and learn about their voting rights under legislation in the Maryland General Assembly this year.