{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-3-803","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 3–803","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.\n(2) “Residence” includes the yard, grounds, outbuildings, and common areas surrounding a residence.\n(3) “Visual surveillance” has the meaning stated in § 3–901 of this title.\n(b) A person may not follow another in or about a public place, conduct visual surveillance of an area of another’s residence where the other has a reasonable expectation of privacy, or maliciously engage in a course of conduct that alarms or seriously annoys the other:\n(1) with the intent to harass, alarm, or annoy the other;\n(2) after receiving a reasonable warning or request to stop by or on behalf of the other; and\n(3) without a legal purpose.\n(c) (1) This section does not apply to a peaceable activity intended to express a political view or provide information to others.\n(2) This section may not be construed in a manner that infringes on any right guaranteed under the United States Constitution or the Maryland Declaration of Rights.\n(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:\n(1) for a first offense, imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both; and\n(2) for a second or subsequent offense, imprisonment not exceeding 180 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=3-803","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"75b3f68cfcf5b0da53b7e1675e7eee9b7ed21d0432dd89ba47b7fa164dccaa7e","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-3-802","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-3-804"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}