MCRC LETTER IN SUPPORT OF HB 1193

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	Letter in Support of House Bill 457
	February 17, 2004 The Honorable Joseph Vallario, Jr. House Judiciary Committee Room 121, Lowe House Office Building Annapolis , MD 21401 Re: Support for HB 457, “Criminal Procedure – Identity Theft – Venue for Prosecution” Dear Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee: The Maryland Public Interest Research Group (MaryPIRG) and the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition join in supporting HB 457, the “Criminal Procedure – Identity Theft – Venue for Prosecution.” HB 457 does not change the crime of identity theft. It does, however, clarify that the prosecutions may be brought wherever the victim of the identity theft resides. In many cases of identity theft, the victim lives in one county, the defendant illegally uses his/her identity with a credit card in another county, and the credit card company is often in another county or state. This situation often results in incomplete investigations and potentially no prosecutions. The Attorney General is the only prosecutor in Maryland with statewide jurisdiction; however, there is no statute giving the Attorney General authority to handle such cases. HB 457 authorizes the Attorney General to prosecute these identity theft cases. For these reasons, MaryPIRG and the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition respectfully request a favorable report of HB 457. Sincerely, Gigi Kellett, Cheryl L. Hystad Public Interest Advocate Executive Director MaryPIRG Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition 190 Duke of Gloucester Street 3000 Chestnut Avenue, Suite 203 Annapolis , MD 21401 Baltimore , MD 21211 410-267-1160 410-366-1965 gkellett@marypirg.org mcrc@mdconsumers.org
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