{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-9-201","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 9–201","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.\n(2) “Political subdivision” includes a:\n(i) county;\n(ii) municipal corporation;\n(iii) bi–county or multicounty agency;\n(iv) county board of education;\n(v) public authority; or\n(vi) special taxing district that is not a homeowners association.\n(3) (i) “Public employee” means an officer or employee of:\n1. the State; or\n2. a political subdivision of the State.\n(ii) “Public employee” includes:\n1. an executive officer of the State;\n2. a judge of the State;\n3. a judicial officer of the State;\n4. a member or officer of the General Assembly;\n5. a member of the police force of Baltimore City or the Department of State Police; and\n6. a member, officer, or executive officer of a political subdivision.\n(b) A person may not bribe or attempt to bribe a public employee to influence the public employee in the performance of an official duty of the public employee.\n(c) A public employee may not demand or receive a bribe, fee, reward, or testimonial to:\n(1) influence the performance of the official duties of the public employee; or\n(2) neglect or fail to perform the official duties of the public employee.\n(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of the misdemeanor of bribery and on conviction:\n(1) is subject to imprisonment for not less than 2 years and not exceeding 12 years or a fine not less than $5,000 and not exceeding $25,000 or both;\n(2) may not vote; and\n(3) may not hold an office of trust or profit in the State.\n(e) A person who violates this section is subject to § 5–106(b) of the Courts Article.\n(f) (1) A person who violates this section:\n(i) is a competent witness; and\n(ii) subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, may be compelled to testify against any person who may have violated this section.\n(2) A person compelled to testify for the State under paragraph (1) of this subsection is immune from prosecution for a crime about which the person was compelled to testify.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=9-201","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"b2ee509214d32dd0d2be9e77fcac85bbb2f508b5ec3860f728522fa028358826","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-9-103","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-9-202"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}