Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10-127
This is the official text of Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10-127, part of Maryland’s Code, Criminal Law — defines crimes and punishments in Maryland.
Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
§10–127.
Official statutory text
(a) In a proceeding for a violation under this part:
(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;
(2) the court shall apply the evidentiary standards as prescribed by law for the trial of a criminal case;
(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;
(4) the defendant is entitled to:
(i) cross-examine each witness who appears against the defendant;
(ii) produce evidence and witnesses on the defendant’s own behalf;
(iii) testify on the defendant’s own behalf if the defendant chooses to do so; and
(iv) be represented by counsel of the defendant’s own selection and expense;
(5) the defendant may enter a plea of guilty or not guilty;
(6) the verdict shall be:
(i) guilty of a civil violation; or
(ii) not guilty of a civil violation; and
(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.
(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.
(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.
(d) A defendant who is found guilty of a violation under this part, as provided by law for a criminal case, may file:
(1) an appeal;
(2) a motion for a new trial; or
(3) a motion for a revision of a judgment.
(e) The State’s Attorney for each county may:
(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
(2) exercise authority in the same manner prescribed by law for a violation of the criminal laws of the State.
(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;
(2) the court shall apply the evidentiary standards as prescribed by law for the trial of a criminal case;
(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;
(4) the defendant is entitled to:
(i) cross-examine each witness who appears against the defendant;
(ii) produce evidence and witnesses on the defendant’s own behalf;
(iii) testify on the defendant’s own behalf if the defendant chooses to do so; and
(iv) be represented by counsel of the defendant’s own selection and expense;
(5) the defendant may enter a plea of guilty or not guilty;
(6) the verdict shall be:
(i) guilty of a civil violation; or
(ii) not guilty of a civil violation; and
(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.
(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.
(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.
(d) A defendant who is found guilty of a violation under this part, as provided by law for a criminal case, may file:
(1) an appeal;
(2) a motion for a new trial; or
(3) a motion for a revision of a judgment.
(e) The State’s Attorney for each county may:
(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
(2) exercise authority in the same manner prescribed by law for a violation of the criminal laws of the State.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
Dealing with a criminal defense matter in Maryland?
See all Maryland Criminal Defense lawyers
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the
Open US Law dataset
(Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine
(Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.