On May 28, 2009, a trial court judge in Baltimore City dismissed a 4-Court indictment filed by the State against a City Councilwoman and Client of Schulman, Treem, Kaminkow, and Gilden, P.A.'s partner, Joshua Treem. The filed motion to dismiss claimed that the indictment alleging bribery in office and perjury was based on votes made by the Client in the City Council and the use of such evidence consituted a violation of the Speech and Debate Clause of the Maryland Declaration of Rights and the common law principle of legislative immunity. The trial coutr agreed and dismissed the indictment. This is the first case in Maryland to deal with the application of the protections of the Speech and Debate Clause to a criminal prosecution of a local legislator. The Court's opinion in State v. Holton can be found at:
http://www.baltocts.state.md.us/highlighted_trials/pressroom_state_v_lipscomb_dixon_holton.html