2023 Maryland Statutes › Criminal Procedure › Title 11 - Victims and Witnesses › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Part I - Definitions; Rights Available Throughout Proceedings › Section 11-104 - Victim Notification

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “DNA” has the meaning stated in § 2–501 of the Public Safety Article.
(3)    “Statewide DNA database system” has the meaning stated in § 2–501 of the Public Safety Article.
(4)    “Victim” means a person who suffers actual or threatened physical, emotional, or financial harm as a direct result of a crime or delinquent act.
(5)    “Victim’s representative” includes a family member or guardian of a victim who is:
(i)    a minor;
(ii)    deceased; or
(iii)    disabled.
(b)    On first contact with a victim or victim’s representative, a law enforcement officer, District Court commissioner, or juvenile intake officer shall give the victim or the victim’s representative the pamphlet described in § 11–914(9)(i) of this title.
(c)    Unless to do so would impede or compromise an ongoing investigation or the victim’s representative is a suspect or a person of interest in the criminal investigation of the crime involving the victim, on written request of a victim of a crime of violence as defined in § 14–101 of the Criminal Law Article or the victim’s representative, the investigating law enforcement agency shall give the victim or the victim’s representative timely notice as to:
(1)    whether an evidentiary DNA profile was obtained from evidence in the case;
(2)    when any evidentiary DNA profile developed in the case was entered into the DNA database system; and
(3)    when any confirmed match of the DNA profile, official DNA case report, or DNA hit report is received.
(d)    (1)    Within 10 days after the filing or the unsealing of an indictment or information in circuit court, whichever is later, the prosecuting attorney shall:
(i)    mail or deliver to the victim or victim’s representative the pamphlet described in § 11–914(9)(ii) of this title and the notification request form described in § 11–914(10) of this title; and
(ii)    certify to the clerk of the court that the prosecuting attorney has complied with this paragraph or is unable to identify the victim or victim’s representative.
(2)    If the prosecuting attorney files a petition alleging that a child is delinquent for committing an act that could only be tried in the circuit court if committed by an adult, the prosecuting attorney shall:
(i)    inform the victim or victim’s representative of the right to request restitution under § 11–606 of this title;
(ii)    mail or deliver to the victim or victim’s representative the notification request form described in § 11–914(10) of this title; and
(iii)    certify to the clerk of the juvenile court that the prosecuting attorney has complied with this paragraph or is unable to identify the victim or victim’s representative.
(3)    For cases described under this subsection, the prosecuting attorney may provide a State’s witness in the case with the guidelines for victims, victims’ representatives, and witnesses available under §§ 11–1001 through 11–1004 of this title.
(e)    (1)    A victim or victim’s representative may:
(i)    file a completed notification request form with the prosecuting attorney; or
(ii)    follow the MDEC system protocol to request notice.
(2)    (i)    If the jurisdiction has not implemented the MDEC system, the prosecuting attorney shall send a copy of the completed notification request form to the clerk of the circuit court or juvenile court.
(ii)    If the jurisdiction has implemented the MDEC system and the victim or victim’s representative has filed a completed notification request form, the prosecuting attorney shall electronically file the form with the clerk of the circuit court or juvenile court in the MDEC system.
(3)    By filing a completed notification request form or completing the MDEC system protocol, a victim or victim’s representative complies with Article 47 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights and each provision of the Code that requires a victim or victim’s representative to request notice.
(4)    To keep the address and electronic mail address of a victim or victim’s representative confidential, the victim or victim’s representative shall:
(i)    designate in the notification request form a person who has agreed to receive notice for the victim or victim’s representative; or
(ii)    request as part of the MDEC system protocol, without filing a motion to seal, that the address and electronic mail address remain confidential and available, as necessary to only:
1.    the court;
2.    the prosecuting attorney;
3.    the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services;
4.    the Department of Juvenile Services;
5.    the attorney of the victim or victim’s representative;
6.    the State’s Victim Information and Notification Everyday vendor; and
7.    a commitment unit that a court orders to retain custody of an individual.
(f)    (1)    Unless provided by the MDEC system, the prosecuting attorney shall send a victim or victim’s representative prior notice of each court proceeding in the case, of the terms of any plea agreement, and of the right of the victim or victim’s representative to submit a victim impact statement to the court under § 11–402 of this title if:
(i)    prior notice is practicable; and
(ii)    the victim or victim’s representative has filed a notification request form or followed the MDEC system protocol under subsection (e) of this section.
(2)    (i)    If the case is in a jurisdiction in which the office of the clerk of the circuit court or juvenile court has an automated filing system, the prosecuting attorney may ask the clerk to send the notice required by paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(ii)    If the case is in a jurisdiction that has implemented the MDEC system, the victim may follow the MDEC system protocol to receive notice by electronic mail, to notify the prosecuting attorney, and to request additional notice available through the State’s Victim Information and Notification Everyday vendor.
(3)    As soon after a proceeding as practicable, the prosecuting attorney shall tell the victim or victim’s representative of the terms of any plea agreement, judicial action, and proceeding that affects the interests of the victim or victim’s representative, including a bail hearing, change in the defendant’s pretrial release order, dismissal, nolle prosequi, stetting of charges, trial, disposition, and postsentencing court proceeding if:
(i)    the victim or victim’s representative has filed a notification request form or followed the MDEC system protocol under subsection (e) of this section and prior notice to the victim or victim’s representative is not practicable; or
(ii)    the victim or victim’s representative is not present at the proceeding.
(4)    Whether or not the victim or victim’s representative has filed a notification request form or followed the MDEC system protocol under subsection (e) of this section, the prosecuting attorney may give the victim or victim’s representative information about the status of the case if the victim or victim’s representative asks for the information.
(g)    If a victim or victim’s representative has filed a notification request form or followed the MDEC system protocol under subsection (e) of this section, the clerk of the circuit court or juvenile court:
(1)    shall include a copy of the form with any commitment order or probation order that is passed or electronically transmit the form or the registration information for the victim or the victim’s representative through the MDEC system; and
(2)    if an appeal is filed, shall send a copy of the form or electronically transmit the form or the registration information for the victim or the victim’s representative through the MDEC system to the Attorney General and the court to which the case has been appealed.
(h)    This section does not prohibit a victim or victim’s representative from filing a notification request form with a unit to which a defendant or child respondent has been committed.
(i)    (1)    After filing a notification request form under subsection (e) of this section, a victim or victim’s representative may discontinue further notices by filing a written request with:
(i)    the prosecuting attorney, if the case is still in a circuit court or juvenile court; or
(ii)    the unit to which the defendant or child respondent has been committed, if a commitment order has been issued in the case.
(2)    After following the MDEC system protocol for electronic notices, a victim or victim’s representative may discontinue further notices by following the MDEC system protocol to terminate notice.