{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-127","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10–127","heading":"","body":"(a) In a proceeding for a violation under this part:\n(1) the State has the burden to prove the guilt of the defendant to the same extent as is required by law in the trial of a criminal case;\n(2) the court shall apply the evidentiary standards as prescribed by law for the trial of a criminal case;\n(3) the court shall ensure that the defendant has received a copy of the charges against the defendant and that the defendant understands those charges;\n(4) the defendant is entitled to:\n(i) cross-examine each witness who appears against the defendant;\n(ii) produce evidence and witnesses on the defendant’s own behalf;\n(iii) testify on the defendant’s own behalf if the defendant chooses to do so; and\n(iv) be represented by counsel of the defendant’s own selection and expense;\n(5) the defendant may enter a plea of guilty or not guilty;\n(6) the verdict shall be:\n(i) guilty of a civil violation; or\n(ii) not guilty of a civil violation; and\n(7) before entering a judgment, a court may place the defendant on probation in the same manner and to the same extent as is permitted by law in a criminal case.\n(b) If a defendant is found guilty of a violation under this part and a fine is imposed, a court may direct that the payment of the fine be suspended or deferred under conditions determined by the court.\n(c) A defendant’s willful failure to pay a fine imposed under this part may be treated as a criminal contempt punishable as provided by law.\n(d) A defendant who is found guilty of a violation under this part, as provided by law for a criminal case, may file:\n(1) an appeal;\n(2) a motion for a new trial; or\n(3) a motion for a revision of a judgment.\n(e) The State’s Attorney for each county may:\n(1) prosecute a violation under this part in the same manner as a prosecution of a criminal case, including entering a nolle prosequi or placing the case on violation on a stet docket; and\n(2) exercise authority in the same manner prescribed by law for a violation of the criminal laws of the State.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=10-127","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"e40bc8adbd156de8a9f5dd7e766fd1dc00568399a22f95d92a5dbcf4f1e2a6a8","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-126","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-130"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}