Criminal Law - Self-Defense - Prior Acts by Victim
Sponsor: Stephanie Smith (District 45)Committee: JudiciarySubject: Criminal Law - Substantive CrimesStatus: Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Authorizing a person charged with murder or manslaughter in any degree or a crime under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Criminal Law Article to assert the defense that the person acted in self-defense and need not prove that the person believed danger was imminent or immediate if the victim had previously committed a certain act against the person.
AI analysis is off. Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY to enable summaries, pros and cons, and questions.
Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.
Testimony (10)
MGA witness listFAV 3FavorableFWA 3Favorable with amendmentsUNF 3UnfavorableINFO 1Information only
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Dews, Christopherlobbyist | Dews & Associates | Oral |
| FAV | Delegate Smith, Delegate Smithlegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Smith, Stephanie | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Jones, Brenda | Families Advocating Intelligent Registries (FAIR) | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Mupanduki, Joanna | Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, Inc. | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Tibbals, Trudy | Individual | Position only |
| FWA | Jordan, Lisae Clobbyist | Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Ruth, Laure | Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Brown, Kirsten | Maryland State's Attorneys' Association | Written (PDF) |
| INFO | Kouadio, Michele | A Mother's Cry | Position only |
Organizations on record
Registered lobbyists who testified
FAVDews, ChristopherDews & AssociatesRegistered for: Advance Maryland Education Fund; Beyond Impact; Center for Urban Families; Dews & Associates; Out for Justice, Inc.; REFORM Alliance…
FWAJordan, Lisae CMaryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)Registered for: Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault