J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                     1629

Whereas, The necessity for revision of criminal procedures in
this State arises from the following conditions:

(a)   The public welfare requires that the criminal laws of the
State be at all times fully, fairly and effectively enforced and ad-
ministered; and

(b)   In recent years decisions of the United States Supreme Court
and of other Federal courts have caused radical changes in the con-
cepts of Federal constitutional law heretofore existing with respect
to the rights of persons accused of crime, have increased greatly
the burdens on State officials charged with the duty of detecting
crime and with the apprehension and prosecution of criminals and
have thrown doubt on the legality of the conviction of persons now
in prison; and

(c)   A comprehensive and thorough study of all pertinent statutes,
rules of court and court decisions with respect to the prosecution
of persons accused of crime and of all procedures for the detection
and apprehension of criminals and methods of training police and
other officials charged with the detection of crime and apprehension
of criminals is necessary in order to devise the best possible methods
under present day conditions for fully, fairly and effectively en-
forcing and administering the criminal laws of the State of Mary-
land; and

(d)   Such a study cannot be made by the members of the General
Assembly within the limited time at their disposal; and

Whereas, It is desirable at the same time that the above studies
are being made to review such aspects of the administration of
criminal justice in the State as may be desirable and in conjunction
with this review to prepare guides for trial magistrates and for
police and law enforcement officers which will enumerate their
duties and functions; and

Whereas, The studies described above are matters which are
inter-related and they should, therefore, be reviewed by a single com-
mission divided into three parts, and of the studies referred to the
General Assembly deems the review of criminal procedures as the
most urgent study and one which, if feasible, ought to be completed
first by the Commission; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the Gov-
ernor of Maryland is hereby requested to appoint a Commission
to make a comprehensive review of the criminal laws and criminal
procedures and the administration of criminal justice in the State
of Maryland, and the Commission is requested to make its report
with its recommendations to the Governor and the Legislative
Council for submission to the General Assembly; and be it further

Resolved, That the Governor is requested to provide such funds
as the Commission may need to carry out its duties and to employ
professional staff for the Commission from contingent funds at his
disposal; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this Resolution are BE sent to the Gover-
nor of Maryland and to the President PRESIDENTS of the Mary-