{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-13-410","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Local Government § 13–410","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) The health officer for Washington County or the health officer’s\ndesignee may issue a citation to a person believed to be committing a violation of Title\n20, Subtitle 3 of the Health – General Article or a related violation of a provision of\nthe Code of Maryland Regulations.\n(2) The citation shall bear a certification attesting to the truth of the\nmatters set forth in the citation.\n(3) The health officer shall keep a copy of the citation.\n(b) The citation shall contain:\n(1) the name and address of the person charged;\n(2) the nature of the violation;\n(3) the location and time of the violation;\n(4) the amount of the fine;\n(5) the manner, location, and time in which the fine may be paid; and\n(6) a notice of the person’s right to elect to stand trial for the\nviolation.\n(c) (1) A fine not exceeding $1,000 may be imposed for each violation.\n(2) The County Commissioners of Washington County may:\n(i) establish a schedule of additional fines for each violation;\nand\n(ii) adopt procedures for the collection of the fines.\n(d) (1) A person who receives a citation may elect to stand trial for the\noffense by filing notice of intent to stand trial with the health officer at least 5 days\nbefore the payment date specified in the citation.\n(2) After receiving the notice of intention to stand trial, the health\nofficer shall forward a copy of the citation and the notice to the District Court having\nvenue.\n(3) After receiving the citation and notice, the District Court shall:\n(i) schedule the case for trial; and\n(ii) notify the defendant of the trial date.\n(4) All fines, penalties, or forfeitures collected by the District Court\nfor violations of Title 20, Subtitle 3 of the Health – General Article shall be remitted\nto the county.\n(e) (1) Washington County shall send a notice of the violation to the last\nknown address of a person who:\n(i) receives a citation for a violation;\n(ii) fails to pay the fine by the date of payment specified in the\ncitation; and\n(iii) fails to file a notice of intention to stand trial.\n(2) If, after 15 days from the date the notice is sent, the citation is\nnot satisfied, the person is liable for an additional fine not exceeding twice the original\nfine.\n(3) If, after 35 days from the date the notice is sent, the citation is\nnot paid, the health officer may request adjudication of the case through the District\nCourt.\n(4) If the health officer requests adjudication under paragraph (3) of\nthis subsection, the District Court shall schedule the case for trial and summon the\ndefendant to appear.\n(f) In a proceeding before the District Court, a violation of Title 20, Subtitle\n3 of the Health – General Article shall be prosecuted in the same manner and to the\nsame extent as a municipal infraction under §§ 6–108 through 6–115 of this article.\n(g) The County Commissioners of Washington County may authorize the\nCounty Attorney, the State’s Attorney, or another attorney to prosecute a violation of\nTitle 20, Subtitle 3 of the Health – General Article.\n(h) If the District Court finds that a person has committed a violation of\nTitle 20, Subtitle 3 of the Health – General Article, the person shall be liable for the\ncosts of the court proceedings.","path":["Article - Local Government"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=glg\u0026section=13-410","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:59:58Z","sha256":"50ccffeba68f230c75510d4c9c1fa04d4272a33c7b259e2102911b7b45c2baa1","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-13-409","next":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-13-411"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}