Terms Used In Maryland Code, LOCAL GOVERNMENT 11-205

  • County: means a county of the State or Baltimore City. See
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
(a) (1) To elect to stand trial for a civil infraction, the defendant shall provide notice of intention to stand trial to the county at least 5 days before the payment date specified in the citation.

(2) After receiving the notice of intention to stand trial, the county shall forward a copy of the citation to the District Court having venue.

(3) After receiving the citation, the District Court shall:

(i) schedule the case for trial; and

(ii) notify the defendant of the trial date.

(b) (1) The county shall send a formal notice of the civil infraction to the defendant’s last known address if a defendant:

(i) does not file a notice of intention to stand trial for the civil infraction within the time required under subsection (a) of this section; and

(ii) does not pay the fine for the civil infraction by the payment date specified in the citation.

(2) If the citation has not been satisfied within 15 days after the date of the notice, the county shall assess an additional fine not exceeding twice the original fine.

(3) If the citation has not been satisfied within 35 days after the date of the notice, the county may request adjudication of the case in the District Court.

(4) After receiving a request from the county, the District Court shall promptly:

(i) schedule the case for trial; and

(ii) summon the defendant to appear.

(5) A defendant’s failure to respond to a summons issued under paragraph (4) of this subsection is contempt of court.