Maryland Code, COURTS AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS 8-420
Terms Used In Maryland Code, COURTS AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS 8-420
- Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- state: means :
(1) a state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States; or
(2) the District of Columbia. See - Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(2) Each defendant is allowed 20 peremptory challenges.
(3) The State is allowed 10 peremptory challenges for each defendant.
(b) (1) This subsection applies only in a criminal trial in which a defendant is subject, on any single count, to a sentence of at least 20 years, excluding a case subject to subsection (a) of this section or a common law offense for which no specific statutory penalty is provided.
(2) Each defendant is allowed 10 peremptory challenges.
(3) The State is allowed five peremptory challenges for each defendant.
(c) In every other criminal trial, each party is allowed four peremptory challenges.