Not only are the Freddie Gray officers out on bail, but the court has also arranged for their cases to go to trial faster than nearly any other in the system. The first trial will take place six months after the indictment. This is unheard-of. I recently represented a client for a murder charge who sat in jail for over a year only to have his case dismissed.

Few defendants in the overburdened Circuit Court have a guaranteed trial date, even those waiting in jail. But because the Freddie Gray officers have received preferential treatment, in that they have been specially assigned a judge, their court dates hold true.

They also have had the advantage of resolving crucial legal matters ahead of the trial, like evidentiary rulings, venue and jury sequestration. (The judge decided against the sequestration, but ruled that the jury would remain anonymous.) Most defendants are forced to argue pretrial motions on the day of trial.

In another highly unusual move, the officers were excused from appearing for these pretrial motions, while lawyers argued in their defendants’ absence. This courtesy is not extended to the average defendant.

In fact, a judge recently issued an arrest warrant for a client of mine who did not appear for his arraignment, a proceeding in Circuit Court that has become a mere formality. He had never been given notice of the hearing, but the judge would not excuse his absence.

Is this case the most important Baltimore has seen in recent decades? Absolutely. Is it drawing tremendous media attention? Sure.

But there are other cases on the docket involving other people’s lives. Other accused individuals sit in jail eagerly awaiting their day in court.

Because of increased “security measures,” the public has faced long lines and delays to get into the courthouses.