The three men running for two Howard County CircuitCourt judgeships agree on most issues.
Juveniles and mentally insane people should be rehabilitated, not punished, for their crimes.
Drug addicts should receive treatment.
And none say they are worried about threats of violence while they perform their legal work.
But they disagree on one issue: TV cameras in the courtroom.
Sitting Judges Louis Becker and Richard Bernhardt said Wednesday night at a candidates? forum at the East Columbia library that they would allow television cameras in Howard County Circuit Court on a limited basis.
But challenger David Titman, an Ellicott City lawyer, said he supports cameras in the court at all times.
“I think cameras should be in all courtrooms,” he said.
“I think it would show people what really happens in court. It?s not ?Boston Legal.? It?s not ?Law & Order.? Most people would probably get bored and change the channel.”
Bernhardt said he wouldn?t recommend cameras in the courtroom at all times because some people might get the wrong idea when they see opposing counsels interacting between sessions that the attorneys are in collusion against the accused. But he said certain cases that draw wide attention should be shown.
“There are court cases that capture public interest,” he said. “I don?t see why the public couldn?t see them.”
Becker said he worries that television cameras could alter some people?s behavior in the courtroom and make some witnesses reluctant to testify.
“Sometimes it?s difficult enough for them to testify,” he said.
Even so, Becker said he would favor a “pilot program” to allow cameras in the court in some cases.
Current law
Under Maryland law, no television cameras are allowed in the state?s courthouses for criminalcases. The U.S. Senate is now considering a bill that would allow U.S. Supreme Court cases to be televised, unless the judges unanimously voted not to televise a specific case.
