Source: https://codes.findlaw.com/md/criminal-law/md-code-crim-law-sect-5-601-1.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 22:19:02+00:00

Document:
(a) A police officer shall issue a citation to a person who the police officer has probable cause to believe has committed a violation of § 5-601 of this part involving the use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana.
(b)(1) A violation of § 5-601 of this part involving the use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana is a civil offense.
(ii) does not impose any of the civil disabilities that may result from a criminal conviction.
2. request a trial date at the date, time, and place established by the District Court by writ or trial notice.
(2)(i) If a citation for a violation of § 5-601 of this part involving the use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana is issued to a person under the age of 21 years, the court shall summon the person for trial.
(ii) If the court finds that a person at least 21 years old who has been issued a citation under this section has at least twice previously been found guilty under § 5-601 of this part involving the use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana, the court shall summon the person for trial.
(d) The form of the citation shall be uniform throughout the State and shall be prescribed by the District Court.
(e)(1) The Chief Judge of the District Court shall establish a schedule for the prepayment of the fine.
(2) Prepayment of a fine shall be considered a plea of guilty to a Code violation.
(3) A person described in subsection (c)(2) of this section may not prepay the fine.
(f)(1) A person may request a trial by sending a request for trial to the District Court in the jurisdiction where the citation was issued within 30 days of the issuance of the citation.
(2) If a person other than a person described in subsection (c)(2) of this section does not request a trial or prepay the fine within 30 days of the issuance of the citation, the court may impose the maximum fine and costs against the person and find the person is guilty of a Code violation for purposes of subsection (c)(2)(ii) of this section.
(g) The issuing jurisdiction shall forward a copy of the citation and a request for trial to the District Court in the district having venue.
(h)(1) The failure of a defendant to respond to a summons described in subsection (c)(2) of this section shall be governed by § 5-212 of the Criminal Procedure Article .
(2) If a person at least 21 years old fails to appear after having requested a trial, the court may impose the maximum fine and costs against the person and find the person is guilty of a Code violation for purposes of subsection (c)(2)(ii) of this section.
(iii) probation before judgment, imposed by the court in the same manner and to the same extent as is allowed by law in the trial of a criminal case.
(j)(1) The defendant is liable for the costs of the proceedings in the District Court.
(2) The court costs in a Code violation case under § 5-601 of this part involving the use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana in which costs are imposed are $5.
(k)(1) The State's Attorney for any county may prosecute a Code violation under § 5-601 of this part involving the use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana in the same manner as prosecution of a violation of the criminal laws of the State.
(ii) exercise authority in the same manner as prescribed by law for violation of the criminal laws of the State.
(l) A person issued a citation for a violation of § 5-601 of this part involving the use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana who is under the age of 18 years shall be subject to the procedures and dispositions provided in Title 3, Subtitle 8A of the Courts Article.
(7) the charge has been dismissed.

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