Curt Anderson

Curtis Stovall Anderson (born October 12, 1949) is an American politician, lawyer and former broadcast journalist.

[5] In 1982, after his television career, he entered the University of Baltimore Law School from which earned a Juris Doctor degree.

[7] Though he interviewed for jobs at WSB-TV in Atlanta and WBZ-TV in Boston, Anderson chose not to move his family and remained in Baltimore.

He opened his own practice in 1996 and has represented thousands of individuals in the Circuit and District courts in Baltimore City and 16 of Maryland's 23 counties as well as arguing a case before the Supreme Court of Maryland[8][9][10] In 1982, Anderson won a seat in the House of Delegates, finishing first in a crowded field of candidates which included four incumbents.

One of the benefits of this act for minority business was increased participation in major state projects like the building of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Anderson, the only African-American on the 12 member committed persuaded the group to invite James Earl Jones to speak the pre-game National Anthem, backed up by the HBCU Morgan State University Choir.

Anderson also worked with BET to sponsor a step show competition for local black fraternities at the stadium during the week of the All Star game festivities.

After the election, under pressure from constituents, the Ethics Committee issued its findings and insisted that Delegate Anderson undergo intensive one-on-one sexual harassment training.

[29][30] Additionally, Anderson was the House of Delegates floor leader on legislation that would automatically expunge the records of the thousands individuals who have been arrested in Baltimore City without being charged with a crime.

Existing Maryland law would allow them to have their records expunged of these arrests but not without signing a written waiver of rights or waiting for three years.

Anderson was the primary sponsor of HB 1303-Vehicle Laws-Towing or removal from parking lots-Baltimore City, Baltimore County.

(Chapter 462 of Laws enacted during the 1989 legislature)[33] The bill was introduced following an epidemic of cars being towed from private lots in the Baltimore region, without warning to vehicle owners.

Also in 1990, Anderson was the primary and sole sponsor of HB 328 which allowed retired judges to be called back into service for up to 90 days to help alleviate crowded court dockets.

(Chapter 154 of Laws enacted during the 1990 legislature)[34] Maryland's first comprehensive DNA Profile bill was sponsored by Anderson in 1991.

The bill set up state standards to be followed when DNA evidence was sought to be introduced in criminal trials in Maryland.

The bill, which was signed by the Governor in 2007, proposed to ensure that the scientific reliability of forensic testimony could not be challenged due to a lack of appropriate standards and basic protocols.

[45] Anderson was the primary and sole sponsor of House Bill 1473[46] – Maryland's "BLUE Alert" system.

A system similar to that of the AMBER alert but is activated when police officer has been killed or seriously wounded and the offender is still at large.

[49] Aimed at public safety, this bill added shotguns and rifles to the list of weapons for which a mandatory sentence is required.

Anderson was also the primary sponsor of a bill that repealed some of Maryland's mandatory minimum sentences for drug related felonies.

Anderson interviews Ali , 1978
Anderson (center) with Jesse Jackson (right) and Sen. Decatur Trotter (left) during a Maryland Legislative Black Caucus meeting in Annapolis, Maryland (1988)
Governor O'Malley , flanked by Speaker Busch and President Miller signs House Bill 6(2008) into law.
Governor O'Malley signs the BLUE Alert executive order, June 2010