ÿWPCð öy:‚WiRì–RyMÓ¢Y~`G5DÞÁ_©k<„R¸<\C܇”ðÒXlBö&—Êc(Qúm¤F°sØ"ýWËÃÖ9#èëÏùÎ$”N^ŒUNa¼oŽ¼BÄrе€Z1æfþ[ý*²*–Ùˆn ®Èû¯DõžÚÈ-Ø|’ÇÒ­4+˜—ú'‚dœ“VÞXˆÍé,íû«wùštñJÂÒîvŸ´²š®Î‚¿Ú2ÃÄØ)”€¡8kšòÙØÜ”rÿ`ú%'Ç•s©¢%_~3®3ÿÎVÁwÇ)îõÑÃtýŸ c€LA³Å[F3ë.ú6lwöÝûåÈW†ÄŽÇ %2Å’€cÀá4ÚB«“[bL]ˆë:3Ë°þŒÃTñøQ€~]£S„¬…Ówsm?µäEW¶#¸?z W¹C¸5|«Âq´_¹CÂäœû\¼Hføï.§aèÛüÓå@­tªÂ–¢™ãu£¤­Ð@;¯÷yØblÇ©Z¥ÎÓiùèQÚñY=ÕÄïg0Þ͆B_ÑþFEê•5‰ö9?Ø·,grX;¢TÙC¡ú&&çÌc}BaÖh˜[Vàv ©{Å#*ÿKþ2ï¿ËD0OÚb-p@Yl%aKD}U B&n®h %¾ 0~Ú 0”X X ì 0fü #Áb (# NK ^ M wY 4] q ms ÜŠ 0‚fèô\  `*Times New RomanTT«ô\  `*Times New RomanTTôôCô\  PŽ6QôPô\  `*Times New RomanTTXXPô\  PŽ6QXPô\  `*Times New RomanTT¼¼^ô\  PŽ6Q¼Pô\  `*Times New RomanTT6ô\  PŽ6QPô' Õ 7February, 2005 2 mmb(0MD Court System .   \‘† ÿÿ:envelope addenvelope addressÓ  ÓÔ€¼¼¼ÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ€XXXÔÔW€ô\  `*Times New RomanTTWÔÓ  Óhÿÿ:Default ParaDefault Paragraph FontÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÔ  Ô3|x (>̪$¡¡Ô€X¤DXòôÔÔ€X¤DXXX¤DÔ˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL$,,,,$0!Å©2â Öd™2ê:i¢Ø+00 ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ ÒÝ ƒÈ2)ÝÔ€X¾\XòôÔÔ€X¾\XXX¾\ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà@‰‰‰ìàò òAttorneysðð€Analysis€Page€Ú  Ú1Ú  Ú€of€Ú  Ú17Ú  Úó ó(Z3È2$©©Ý ƒ ̪!ÝÔ€X¾\XòôÔÔ€X¾\XXX¾\ÔÝ  Ý Ý ƒ ̪!ÝÔ€X¾\XòôÔÔ€X¾\XXX¾\ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÖ€ÿÿÖà@áá$ìàò òFEBRUARY€2005ˆÐ ° ÐÌà@T T ìàOUT„OF„STATE€ATTORNEYSðð€EXAMINATIONˆÐ @ ÐÌà@Ä Ä ìàQUESTIONS€AND€BOARDððS€ANALYSISˆÐ Ð  ÐÌÌÓ  ÓPRELIMINARY€FACTS€FOR€QUESTIONS€1€THROUGH€4ó óÐ ( x ÐÌÓÓÓ  Óà  àThe€intersection€of€U.S.€1€and€State€Route€108€is€located€in€Howard€County,€Maryland€andÐ ¸   Ðis€controlled€by€an€automated€traffic€signal.€€Ð H ˜  Ðà  àAt€8:35€a.m.€on€October€1,€2004,€Allan,€an€employee€of€Howard€County,€while€operating€aÐ Ø(  Ðcounty€vehicle€west€on€Route€108€in€the€course€of€employment,€collided€with€an€€automobile€ownedÐ h¸  Ðand€operated€by€Bill,€who€was€proceeding€north€on€U.S.€1.€€Bill€lost€control€of€his€vehicle€and€struckÐ øH  Ða€telephone€pole.€€Claire,€a€medical€student€and€professional€golfer,€who€was€a€passenger€in€BillððsÐ ˆØ Ðcar,€was€seriously€and€permanently€injured€as€a€result€of€the€collision.Ð h Ðà  àYou€are€a€lawyer€admitted€to€practice€in€Maryland.Ð ¨ø ÐÓÓÓ  Óò òQUESTION€€1Ð 8ˆ ÐÌó ó(10€òòpointsóó€€18€òòminutesóó)Ð È ÐÓ  ÓÌÓÓÓ  ÓA.à  àClaireððs€roommate€is€your€friend.€€She€tells€you€about€the€accident€and€suggests€you€contactÐ X¨ ÐClaire€about€representing€her.€€You€telephone€Claire€at€the€hospital,€and€ask€if€you€can€visit€her€toÐ è8 Ðdiscuss€her€potential€case.€€Although€she€has€never€met€you,€Claire€readily€agrees,€and€you€visit€herÐ xÈ! Ðthe€next€day.€€Claire€tells€you€that€on€October€1,€2004,€she€was€on€her€way€to€medical€school€in€BillððsÐ  X# Ðcar,€and€that€Bill€was€talking€on€his€cell€phone€and€drinking€coffee€as€he€approached€the€intersectionÐ ˜!è% Ðwhere€the€accident€occurred.€€She€does€not€remember€anything€that€happened€after€that.€€She€asksÐ (#x' Ðthat€you€represent€her,€and€you€agree€to€do€so.€€€Claire€orally€agrees€to€pay€you€a€fee€equal€to€one„Ð ¸$ ) Ðthird€of€any€recovery€by€settlement€and€40€percent€of€any€recovery€if€the€case€is€tried.€€You€agree€toÐ H&˜!+ Ðpay€all€litigation€costs.Ð Ø'(#- Ðò òà  àHave€you€complied€with€the€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct€with€respect€to€obtainingÐ h)¸$/ Ðâ âClaire€as€a€client€or€the€fee€agreement€with€her?€€€Explain€fully.ó óÐ ø*H&1 Ðò òÔ&  Ôâ âó óÔ'°œ ÔB.à  àThree€weeks€after€you€undertake€the€representation,€your€spouse,€Sandy,€an€associate€at€theÐ ° Ðfirm€of€Lovem€and€Leevem,€describes€to€you€an€interesting€personal€injury€case€on€which€she€isÐ @ Ðworking€which€took€place€in€Howard€County€on€October€1,€2004.€€€You€find€that€Lovem€andÐ Ð  ÐLeevem€are€representing€Bill€in€his€claims€against€Allan€and€Howard€County.€€Ð ` ° Ðò òà  àWhat€potential€problems,€if€any,€does€this€pose€for€you€and€Sandy?€€Explain€fully.Ð ð @ Ðà@> > ìàBOARDððS€ANALYSIS€ð!ð€QUESTION€1.ó óˆÐ € Ð  Ðà  àA.à ` àYou€have€failed€to€comply€with€the€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct€in€several€respects:Ð `  Ðà  àà ` à1.à ¸ àYour€telephone€call€to€Claire€violates€Rule€7.3,€in€that€the€call€constitutesÐ  ð  Ðpersonal€contact€with€someone€who€is€not€a€close€friend,€relative€or€former€client.€€Moreover,€sinceÐ 0€  ÐClaire€is€hospitalized,€her€reasonable€judgment€about€employing€an€attorney€may€be€impaired.Ð À Ðà  àà ` à2.à ¸ àYour€oral€contingent€fee€agreement€violates€Rule€1.5€(c).€€€€Ð P  Ðà0  àà ` à3.à ¸ àThe€amount€of€the€contingent€fee€may€be€questioned,€but€appears€reasonable,Ð à0 Ðand€would€probably€be€ok€if€it€had€been€agreed€to€in€writing.ÐpÀ(#(# Ðà0  àà ` à4.à ¸ àYour€agreement€to€pay€litigation€costs€is€permissible.€€Rule€1.8€(e)€(1).ò òÐP(#(# Ðà  àó óB.à ` àYou€and€Sandy,€husband€and€wife€cannot€represent€clients€with€conflicting€interests.€Ð à ÐRule€1.8(i).€€However,€other€lawyers€in€the€Lovem€and€Leevem€firms€are€not€prohibited€fromÐ  p Ðrepresenting€Bill€because€the€conflict€represented€by€you€and€your€spouse€is€not€imputed€to€otherÐ °  Ðmembers€of€Sandyððs€firm.€€Comment€Rule€1.8.ò òÐ @" ÐÐ  Ð $ ÐÓÓÓ  ÓQUESTION€2Ð ° Ðó óÌ(10€òòPointsóó€€€à@..àà@..à18€òòMinutesóó)Ð @ ÐÌÓÓÓ  Óà  àAs€Claireððs€attorney,€you€have€filed€a€legally€sufficient€Complaint€against€Bill,€Allan€andÐ Ð  ÐHoward€County.€€Discovery€has€been€completed€as€to€all€parties€and€witnesses,€and€the€case€is€beingÐ ` ° Ðtried€in€the€Circuit€Court€for€Howard€County€before€a€jury.€€You€have€called€Allan€to€the€stand€inÐ ð @ Ðyour€case€in€chief,€and€ask€the€following€questions:Ð € Ð  Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àQ:à ¸ àWhat€color€was€the€traffic€signal€for€you€as€you€approached€the€intersectionÐ `  Ðof€State€Route€108€and€U.S.€1?Рð ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àA:à ¸ àThe€light€was€green.Ð0€ ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àQ:à ¸ àNow€Mr.€Allan,€do€you€recall€my€taking€your€deposition€in€February€of€2004?ÐÀ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àA:à ¸ àYes.ÐP ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àQ:à ¸ àTo€that€same€question€you€answeredð8ðÐà0` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà  àà ` àPage€215ð8ð€ð ðThe€light€was€yellowð8ð.ððÐpÀ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àAllanððs€Counsel:à h àObjection.ÐP` (#` (# Ðà  àAt€the€conference€of€all€counsel€at€the€bench,€Allanððs€lawyer€objects€that€you€are€usingÐ à ÐAllanððs€deposition€improperly,€and€that€you€are€impeaching€your€own€witness.€€Ð  p Ðà  àò òWhat€arguments€do€you€make€and€how€should€the€judge€rule€on€this€objection?€Ð °  ÐExplain€fully.Ð @" Ðà@W W ìàBOARDððS€ANALYSISó ó€ò òð!ð€QUESTION€2ˆÐ Ð $ Ðó óÌà  à(1)à ` àòòUse€of€the€Deposition:óóà À àMd.€Rule€2„419(a)€(1)€permits€the€use€of€a€depositionÐ ô#D( Ðfor€the€purposes€of€contradicting€or€impeaching€the€testimony€of€a€deponent€as€witness.Ð „%Ô * Ðà  à(2)à ` àòòImpeaching€own€Witness:óóà À àMd.€Rule€5„607€provides€for€the€attacking€of€theÐ 'd", Ðcredibility€of€a€witness,€including€by€the€party€calling€the€witness.Ð ¤(ô#. ÐTherefore€I€expect€counselððs€objections€to€be€overruled.ò òà p àÐ 4*„%0 Ðó óÓÓÓ  Óò òÐ  Ä+'2 ÐQUESTION€3Ð ° Ðó óÌÓÓ(20€òòPointsóóà@..àà@..à€€36€òòMinutesóó)Ð @ ÐÓ  Óà  àAfter€instructions€by€the€judge€and€argument€by€counsel,€the€jury€retired.€€After€deliberation,Ð Ð  Ðthe€jury€renders€a€special€verdict€finding€Howard€County€and€Bill€jointly€and€severally€liable.€€€ClaireÐ ` ° Ðis€awarded€damages,€by€the€jury€in€the€following€amounts,€totaling€$1,500,000.Ð ð @ Ðà  àPast€Medical€Expenses:à h àà À à$100,000Ð € Ð  Ðà  àFuture€Medical€Expenses:à h àà À à$€€50,000Ð `  Ðà  àPast€Loss€of€Earningsà  àà h àà À à$€€€€„0„Ð  ð  Ðà  àFuture€Loss€of€Earnings:à h àà À à$500,000Ð 0€  ÐÓÓà  àNon„Economic€Damages,Ð À Ðà  àincluding€damages€forÐ ˆØ Ðà  àpast€pain€and€suffering,Ð P  Ðà  àfuture€pain€and€suffering,à h àà À àÐ h ÐÓÓà  àphysical€impairment:à  àà h àà À à$850,000Ð à0 Ðà  àBill€is€insured€by€a€policy€of€liability€insurance€of€$1,000,000€for€any€individual€claim.Ð pÀ Ðà  àò òClaire€asks€you€what€amounts€she€will€be€able€to€recover,€and€from€whom.€€AdviseÐ P ÐClaire.Ð à Ðà@W W ìàBOARDððS€ANALYSIS€ð!ð€QUESTION€3ˆÐ  p Ðó óà  àThe€Annotated€Code€of€Maryland,€Courts€and€Judicial€Proceedings,€Title€11,€ðð11„108€placesÐ °  Ða€cap€on€ð ðnon„economic€damagesðð€for€personal€injury.€€The€award€for€non„economic€damages€mayÐ @" Ðnot€exceed€$500,000,€increased€by€$15,000/€year€beginning€on€October€1,€1995,€based€on€the€dateÐ Ð $ Ðthe€cause€of€action€accrued.€€€Since€Claireððs€accident€occurred€on€October€1,€2004,€her€non„economicÐ `"°& Ðdamages€are€limited€to€$500,000,€plus€$150,000€(October€1,€1995€ð!ð€October€1,€2004).€€ðð11„108€(b)Ð ð#@( Ð(2).€€Claire€also€is€entitled€to€her€economic€damages:Ð €%Ð * Ðà  à(1)à ` àPast€Medical€Expenses:à À àà  àà p à$100,000Ð '`", Ðà  à(2)à ` àFuture€Medical€Expenses:à À àà  àà p à$€€50,000Ð  (ð#. Ðà  à(3)à ` àFuture€Loss€of€Earnings:à À àà  àà p àòò$500,000óóÐ 0*€%0 ÐÓ  ÓTotal€Economic€Loss:à  àà h àà À àà  àà p à$650,000€plusÐ À+'2 ÐÓ  Óà  à(4)à ` àNon€Economic€Damages„Limit:à  àà p àòò$650,000óóÐ ° ÐTotal€Damages:à ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à€€€€€€€€€$1,300,000.Ð @ Ðà  àThe€Annotated€Code,€Courts€and€Judicial€Proceedings,€Title€5,€Subtitle€4,€Local€GovernmentÐ Ð  ÐTort€Claims€Act,€ðð5„303€limits€the€liability€of€local€government€to€$200,000€per€an€individual€claim.€Ð ` ° ÐTherefore€Howard€County€will€be€required€to€contribute€$200,000.€€€Because€the€County€and€BillÐ ð @ Ðare€jointly€and€severally€liable,€we€will€be€able€to€obtain€the€$1,000,000€policy€limits€from€BillððsÐ € Ð  Ðinsurer,€and€look€to€Bill€for€the€$100,000€excess€above€policy€limits.ò òÐ `  Ðà  àÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àó óÌÓÓÓ  ÓÌÌÓ  Óò òÐ  à ÐQUESTION€4Ð ° Ðó óÌ(10€òòPointsóó€à@..àà@..à18€òòMinutesóó)Ð @ ÐÌÓÓÓ  Óà  àA.à ` àA€final€judgment€has€been€entered€in€Claireððs€favor€against€Howard€County€and€Bill.€Ð Ð  ÐThe€time€for€appeal€has€expired€and€you€expect€to€receive€payment€of€the€judgment€within€30€days.€Ð ` ° ЀClaire€tells€you€sheððs€in€desperate€need€of€funds€and€asks€you€to€advance€$5,000€to€her€until€theÐ ð @ Ðpayment€is€received.€€€€€Ð € Ð  Ðà  àò òYou€want€to€help€Claire.€€May€you€advance€$5,000€to€her?ó óÐ `  Ðò òó óà  àB.à ` àYou€receive€a€check€from€Billððs€insurance€company€on€account€of€the€judgment.€€TheÐ  ð  Ðcheck€is€made€payable€to€the€order€of€Claire€and€you,€as€her€attorney.€€€€€€€Ð 0€  Ðà  àò òConsistent€with€the€applicable€Rules,€what€do€you€do€with€the€check?Ð À Ðà@> > ìàBOARDððS€ANALYSIS€ð!ð€QUESTION€4.ó óˆÐ P  Ðà  àA.à ` àEven€though€the€litigation€is€concluded,€the€lawyerððs€representation€is€continuing.€Ð à0 ÐConsequently,€an€advance€to€one€client€by€the€lawyer€probably€would€violate€Rule€1.8€(d)€and€1.8Ð pÀ Ð(j).ò òÐ P Ðó óà  àB.à ` àRule€1.15€(b)€requires€you€to€promptly€notify€Claire€of€your€receipt€of€the€funds,€andÐ à Ðto€account€to€her.€€Claire€should€be€asked€to€endorse€the€check€and€it€should€be€deposited€in€yourÐ  p Ðtrust€account,€as€required€by€Rule€1.15€(a).Ð °  Ðà  àRule€16„604€has€a€similar€requirement.Ð @" Ðà  àà ` àÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àÐ À+'2 Ðà@%ìàò òQUESTION€5ó óˆÐ ° Ðà@  ìà(15€òòPointsóó€€€€27€òòMinutesóó)ˆÐ @ Ðà  àOn€June€3,€2004,€Donald€was€charged€by€the€Stateððs€Attorney€for€Baltimore€County€withÐ Ð  Ðmisdemeanor€theft€(theft€of€less€than€$500),€a€crime€which€carries€by€statute€a€maximum€penalty€ofÐ ` ° Ðincarceration€for€18€months€and€a€$500€fine.€€Donald€demanded€a€jury€trial,€and€engaged€the€servicesÐ ð @ Ðof€Marsha€Swamp,€a€Maryland€attorney€who€has€tried€two€other€criminal€cases€during€the€course€ofÐ € Ð  Ðher€career€at€the€bar.€€The€case€went€to€trial.Ð `  Ðà  àAt€the€close€of€the€Stateððs€case,€Swamp€moved€for€a€judgment€of€acquittal€on€the€ground€thatÐ  ð  Ðthe€Stateððs€evidence€was€insufficient.€€The€trial€judge€denied€the€motion.€€Donald€was€then€calledÐ 0€  Ðto€the€stand€to€testify€in€his€own€behalf.€€Swamp€then€rested€for€the€defense,€and€did€not€renew€herÐ À Ðmotion€for€acquittal.Ð P  Ðà  àPrior€to€closing€arguments€and€jury€instructions€the€trial€judge€held€a€conference€in€chambersÐ à0 Ðto€review€jury€instructions€in€the€presence€of€the€court€reporter.€€Upon€hearing€the€proposedÐ pÀ Ðinstructions,€Swamp€objected€to€the€judgeððs€proposed€instruction€on€intent,€which€objection€theÐ P ÐCourt€reporter€duly€recorded.€€€The€judge€said€he€would€give€the€instruction€despite€SwampððsÐ à Ðobjection.Ð  p Ðà  àThe€judge€instructed€the€jury€as€he€had€originally€proposed€at€the€chambers€conference.€Ð °  ÐSwamp€voiced€no€objections€to€the€instructions€as€given.Ð @" ÐÓÓÓ  ÓÓÓÓ  ÓÓ  Óà  àThe€jury€found€Donald€guilty€as€charged.€€On€September€3,€2004,€Donald€was€sentenced€byÐ Ð $ Ðthe€judge€to€two€years€in€custody€of€the€Department€of€Corrections.€€€Ð `"°& Ðà  àOn€October€1,€2004,€Swamp€noted€an€appeal€of€Donaldððs€conviction€to€the€Court€of€SpecialÐ ð#@( ÐAppeals.€€The€transcript€of€testimony€has€been€prepared,€and€all€steps€have€been€taken€to€perfectÐ €%Ð * ÐDonaldððs€appeal.€€Swamp€no€longer€represents€Donald.Ð '`", Ðà  àOn€February€22,€2005,€you€are€appointed€to€represent€Donald€on€his€appeal,€and€have€beenÐ  (ð#. Ðinformed€that€appellantððs€brief€is€due€on€March€25,€2005.€Ð 0*€%0 ÐÓ  Óò òIó óÐ À+'2 ÐÓ  Óà  àà ` àA€file€memo€from€Swamp€lists€two€potential€errors€for€appeal:€€€(1)€€the€evidence€wasÐ ° Ðinsufficient€to€convict;€and€(2)€the€trial€court€incorrectly€instructed€the€jury€on€the€issue€of€intent.€€Ð @ Ðà  àò òEvaluate€the€likelihood€of€success€on€these€two€appeal€issuesó ó.Ð Ð  ÐÓ  Óò òIIó óÐ d ´ ÐÓ  Óà  àYou€immediately€file€with€the€trial€court€a€motion€to€modify€sentence.Ð ô D Ðà  àò òWhat€ruling€do€you€expect€the€trial€judge€to€make€regarding€your€motion€to€modifyÐ „ Ô  Ðsentence?€€Explain.ó óÐ d  Ðò òà@W W ìàBOARDððS€ANALYSIS€ð!ð€QUESTION€5ˆÐ ¤ô  Ðà  àó óAppellate€Court€should€affirm€Donaldððs€convictions:Ð 4„  Ðà  àSince€Swampððs€Motion€for€Judgment€of€Acquittal€at€the€close€of€evidence€offered€by€theÐ Ä ÐState€was€not€granted,€the€presentation€of€evidence€in€Donaldððs€case€acts€as€withdrawal€of€the€motionÐ T¤ Ðfor€acquittal.€€Since€the€motion€was€not€renewed€at€the€close€of€all€evidence,€the€Court€of€SpecialÐ ä4 ÐAppeals€is€precluded€from€reviewing€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence.€€Rule€4„324.€€Md.€Rules.Ð tÄ Ðà  àPursuant€to€Rule€4„325,€Donald€cannot€assign€as€error€the€giving€or€failure€to€give€anÐ T Ðinstruction€unless€Swamp€objected€on€the€record€promptly€after€the€court€instructs€the€jury.€Ð ”ä ÐSwampððs€objection€to€instructions€in€chambers€prior€to€the€charge€to€the€jury€served€no€purpose.Ð $t Ðà  àThe€judge€should€modify€Donaldððs€sentence.€€Normally€the€court€has€revisory€power€overÐ ´  Ða€sentence€for€a€period€of€90€days.€€Rule€4„345(b).€€€However€when€sentence€is€illegal,€the€court€mayÐ D”" Ðcorrect€it€at€any€time.€€4„345(a).€€Thus,€although€over€90€days€has€passed€since€Donaldððs€sentence,Ð Ô $$ Ðthe€judgeððs€imposition€of€a€two€year€period€of€incarceration€exceeds€the€maximum€statutory€periodÐ d"´& Ðof€18€months€and€is€therefore€illegal€and€subject€to€be€€corrected€at€any€time.Ð ô#D( Ðà  àThe€trial€court€is€not€divested€of€jurisdiction€to€modify€an€illegal€sentence€even€though€anÐ „%Ô * Ðappeal€is€pending.€€òò€State€v.€Wadlowóó,€93€Md.€App.€260,€64€A.2d€1091€(1992),€modified,€335€Md.Ð 'd", Ð122,€642€A.2d€213€(1994).Ð  ¤(ô#. ÐÓÓÓ  ÓÓ  Óò òQUESTION€6Ð ° Ðó óÌ(10€òòPointsóó€€€à@..àà@..à18€òòMinutesóó)Ð @ ÐÌÓÓÓ  Óà  àAn€irate€Betty€Boop€visits€your€office€and€angrily€shows€you€a€recent€bill€for€Satcom€CableÐ Ð  Ðservice.€€The€monthly€charge€for€service€is€$50.€€€€Because€Bettyððs€prior€payment€was€received€2€daysÐ ` ° Ðafter€the€due€date,€Satcom€imposed€a€$20€ð ðlate€feeðð.€€To€keep€her€service€from€being€cut€off,€BettyÐ ð @ Ðpaid€the€bill.€€Betty€complains€that€a€$20€late€fee€for€a€$50€bill€is€ð ðoutrageousðð.€€Ð € Ð  Ðà  àYou€verify,€through€a€telephone€call€to€Satcomððs€business€office,€that€Satcom€has€beenÐ `  Ðcharging€a€$20€ð ðlate€feeðð€to€its€many€thousands€of€customers€for€over€a€year.€€Your€legal€researchÐ  ð  Ðconvinces€you€that€the€late€fee€is€illegal€under€Maryland€law.€€Ð 0€  Ðà  àBetty€Boop€asks€if€there€is€anything,€you€can€do€to€stop€Satcom€from€charging€late€fees€inÐ À Ðthe€future€and€make€Satcom€refund€late€fees€collected€from€Betty€and€other€customers.Ð P  Ðà  àò òWhat€effective€and€efficient€action€can€you€institute€to€accomplish€Bettyððs€objectives?Ð à0 Ðà@W W ìàBOARDððS€ANALYSIS€ð!ð€QUESTION€6ˆÐ pÀ Ðó óà  àThe€most€effective€and€efficient€action€to€take€to€enforce€the€rights€of€Betty€Boop€and€otherÐ P ÐSatcom€customers€would€be€to€file€a€class€action€in€the€appropriate€circuit€court€seeking€moneyÐ à Ðdamages€and€injunctive€relief.Ð  p Ðà  àMaryland€Rule€2„231(a)€permits€suit€by€representative€parties€on€behalf€of€a€class€givenÐ °  Ðnumerosity,€common€questions€of€law€or€fact,€the€claims€of€the€representative€parties€are€typical€ofÐ @" Ðthe€claims€of€the€class,€and€the€representative€parties€will€fairly€and€adequately€protect€the€interestsÐ Ð $ Ðof€the€class.€All€prerequisites€to€a€class€action€are€met€here.Ð `"°& Ðà  àThe€jurisdictional€amount€for€the€Circuit€Court€is€reached€because€ðð4„402(a)€of€the€CourtsÐ ð#@( Ðand€Judicial€Proceedings€Article€permits€the€aggregations€of€claims€in€class€actions.€€I€would€seekÐ €%Ð * Ðin€addition€to€refunds€for€the€class€(money€damages),€permanent€injunctive€relief€pursuant€toÐ '`", ÐMaryland€Rule€15„501,€et€seq.ò òà h àÐ   (ð#. ÐÓÓÓ  Óó óÓÓÓ  Óò òQUESTIONS€7€and€8Ð ° ÐCOMMON€FACTSÐ @ Ðó óÌÓ  Óà  àOn€September€1,€2004,€Adam,€a€resident€of€Montgomery€County,€while€driving€hisÐ ` ° Ðautomobile,€was€involved€in€a€collision€with€Beth,€a€resident€of€Prince€Georgeððs€County.€€As€a€resultÐ ð @ Ðof€the€collision,€Adamððs€automobile€struck€a€parked€van€owned€by€Paul.€€The€accident€occurred€inÐ € Ð  ÐAnne€Arundel€County,€where€Paul€is€a€resident.€€The€damage€to€Paulððs€van€is€$9,000.€€€Paul€has€noÐ `  Ðcollision€insurance.€€Paul€retains€you,€a€Maryland€lawyer,€to€sue€Adam€and€Beth€for€Paulððs€$9,000Ð  ð  Ðproperty€damage€claim.Ð 0€  ÐÓ  Óò òQUESTION€7ó óÐ À Ð(15€òòPointsóó€€à@..àà@..à27€òòMinutesóó)Ð P  ÐÓ  Óà0  àà0` (#(#àà  àò òA.à ` àWhich€Maryland€courts€have€subject€matter€jurisdiction€over€Paulððs€cause€ofÐ à0 Ðaction?€€€Explain.ÐpÀ` (#` (# Ðà  àB.à ` àIn€which€Maryland€counties€may€suit€be€brought?€€€Explain.Ð P Ðà  àC.à ` àCan€Paul€obtain€a€jury€trial?€€€Explain.Ð à Ðà@W W ìàBOARDððS€ANALYSIS€ð!ð€QUESTION€7ó óò òˆÐ  p Ðà  àA.€€ó óUnder€CJP€4„402(d),€a€plaintiff€may€elect€to€file€suit€in€the€District€Court€or€in€a€trialÐ °  Ðcourt€of€general€jurisdiction,€if€the€amount€in€controversy€exceeds€$5,000,€exclusive€of€interest,Ð D”" Ðcosts,€and€attorneyððs€fees€if€attorneyððs€fees€are€recoverable€by€law€or€contract.€€Ð Ô $$ Ðà  àThus,€as€Paulððs€claim€is€for€$9,000€P€may€bring€a€cause€of€action€in€either€the€District€orÐ d"´& ÐCircuit€Court.Ð ô#D( Ðò òà  àB.€€€ó óVenue€is€governed€by€CJP€ðð6„201.€€The€general€rule€is€that€a€civil€action€shall€be€broughtÐ „%Ô * Ðin€a€county€where€the€defendant€resides,€carries€on€a€regular€business,€is€employed,€or€habituallyÐ 'h", Ðengages€in€a€vocation.€€If€there€is€more€than€one€defendant,€and€there€is€no€single€venue€applicableÐ ¨(ø#. Ðto€all€defendants€all€may€be€sued€in€a€county€in€which€any€one€of€them€could€be€sued,€or€in€theÐ 8*ˆ%0 Ðcounty€where€the€cause€of€action€arose.Ð È+'2 Їà  àHere,€Paul€may€bring€a€cause€of€action€in€Anne€Arundel,€Montgomery€or€Prince€GeorgeððsÐ ° ÐCounty.Ð @ Ðà  àThe€2€possible€defendants€are€residents€of€Prince€Georgeððs€and€Montgomery€County.€Ð Ð  ÐTherefore,€as€they€reside€there,€the€action€can€be€brought€in€either€county.Ð ` ° Ðà  àPaul€can€also€bring€suit€in€Anne€Arundel€County,€as€that€is€where€the€cause€of€action€arose.Ð ð @ ÐÌò òà  àC.€€ó óIn€a€civil€action€in€which€the€amount€in€controversy€exceeds€$10,000,€exclusive€ofÐ `  Ðattorneyððs€fees€if€attorneyððs€fees€are€recoverable€by€law€or€contract,€a€party€may€demand€a€jury€trial.€Ð ¤ô  ÐAs€Paulððs€damages€are€below€$10,000,€there€is€no€right€to€a€jury€trial.Ð 4„  ÐCJP€ðð4„402(e)(2)Ð Ä Ðò òÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àÌà  àÌÓ  ÓÐ  D”" ÐQUESTION€8ó óÐ ° Ð(10€òòPointsóó€à@..àà@..à€18€òòMinutesóó)Ð @ ÐÓ  Óà  àAs€a€result€of€the€automobile€accident,€Adam€was€treated€at€the€emergency€room€of€the€localÐ Ð  Ðhospital,€and€had€a€follow€up€visit€with€his€regular€physician.€€Adam€had€minor€injuries,€causing€himÐ ` ° Ðto€miss€two€days€of€work.€€Adamððs€medical€bills€and€lost€wages€total€$1,000.€€Ð ð @ Ðà  àBethððs€insurance€company€has€admitted€liability€and€has€paid€for€the€cost€of€repairingÐ € Ð  ÐAdamððs€car.€€The€insurer€has€offered€to€pay€Adam€an€additional€$3,000€for€his€personal€injuries.€Ð `  ÐAdam€does€not€want€to€settle€for€$3,000€and€engages€you,€a€Maryland€attorney,€to€file€suit€againstÐ  ð  ÐBeth.€€Based€on€your€experience€with€similar€cases,€you€advise€Adam€that,€his€personal€injury€claimÐ 0€  Ðis€worth€between€$5,000€and€$7,500.Ð À Ðà  àò òFrom€a€procedural€and€evidentiary€standpoint,€what€is€the€most€cost€effective€way€toÐ P  Ðbring€suit€on€Adamððs€behalf?ó óÐ à0 Ðò òà@° ° ìàBOARD€ANALYSIS€ð!ð€QUESTION€8ˆÐ pÀ Ðó óà  àThe€most€cost€effective€way€to€bring€suit€on€Adamððs€behalf€would€be€to€file€in€the€DistrictÐ P ÐCourt€for€$10,000€in€damages.Ð à Ðà  àThe€District€Court€has€exclusive€original€jurisdiction€for€an€action€in€tort€if€damages€claimedÐ  p Ðdo€not€exceed€$25,000€exclusive€of€interest€costs.€€Section€4„401€of€the€Courts€Article.€€However,Ð °  ÐDefendant€would€have€a€right€to€pray€a€jury€trial€if€the€amount€in€controversy€exceeded€$10,000Ð @" ÐSection€4„402(e)€of€the€Courts€Article.€€This€right€is€not€available€to€the€Defendant€if€the€amountÐ Ð $ Ðclaimed€is€$10,000€or€less.Ð `"°& Ðà  àKeeping€the€amount€in€controversy€below€$25,000€allows€Adamððs€medical€records€and€billsÐ ð#@( Ðto€be€admissible€without€the€necessity€of€having€the€health€care€provider€testify,€saving€the€expenseÐ €%Ð * Ðof€the€expert€testimony.€€€This€is€accomplished€by€complying€with€Section€10„104€€and€Section€10„Ð '`", Ð105€of€the€Courts€Article.€€An€alternative€method€of€authenticating€medical€records€is€available€byÐ  (ð#. Ðcompliance€with€Md.€Rule€3„510(h).€€This€Rule€does€not€make€the€records€admissible,€it€justÐ 0*€%0 Ðauthenticates€them€without€live€testimony.Ð À+'2 Ðà  àAdamððs€action€should€be€filed€in€District€Court€requesting€$10,000€in€damages.€€This€willÐ ° Ðassure€the€trial€will€be€heard€in€District€Court€without€a€jury€and€allow€the€introduction€of€medicalÐ @ Ðrecords€and€bills€without€the€health€care€providerððs€testimony.ÓÓ