Maryland passes the PACE Act to limit rap lyrics in court trials. The new law aims to protect artists from unfair prosecution.
Maryland is setting a historic precedent on the East Coast regarding the use of creative expression in the justice system. The state is poised to become the first in the region to strictly limit how rap lyrics and songwriting can be used as evidence in criminal trials.
The Maryland General Assembly has successfully passed the Protecting Artists' Creative Expression Act, widely known as the PACE Act. This legislation is the result of a four-year struggle led by State Delegate Marlon Amprey. He argued that creative work should not be weaponized against defendants unless it is directly relevant to the crime.
For years, prosecutors have used violent or explicit lyrics to paint defendants, often young Black and Latino men, as inherently dangerous. Delegate Amprey emphasized that this practice unfairly biases juries. He noted that a song’s content often has no connection to the actual charges a person is facing.
The new law does not ban lyrics from court entirely. Instead, it establishes a "four-pronged test" that judges must apply. This standard ensures that any creative evidence introduced is fair, reasonable, and truly connected to the alleged crime. It extends protection to all art forms, including books and movies, ensuring rap music is no longer singled out.
The push for the bill was heavily supported by "Free Our Art," an organization chaired by Baltimore native Kevin Liles. The group built a bipartisan coalition and gained backing from Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates. Liles described the victory as personal, noting that Maryland must be a safe space for creativity.
Governor Wes Moore is expected to sign the bill into law on May 12. While the legislation is a major win for civil rights advocates, the law is not scheduled to take effect until October 1, 2026. Supporters are now turning their attention to New York, hoping to replicate this success.
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