Terms Used In Maryland Code, NATURAL RESOURCES 10-1103

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • County: means a county of the State or Baltimore City. See
  • Person: includes an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, representative of any kind, corporation, partnership, business trust, statutory trust, limited liability company, firm, association, or other nongovernmental entity. See
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
If any Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that any person possesses any bird, mammal, amphibian, or reptile or any device in violation of this title, the officer shall go before any District Court judge of the county in which the species of wildlife or device is believed to be and make affidavit to that fact. If the judge finds the affidavit legally sufficient, the judge shall issue a search warrant against the person complained of, directed to the officer making the affidavit, commanding the officer to proceed at once and search for the bird, mammal, amphibian, or reptile or the device and, upon finding it, to seize, take possession, and keep it until further order by the judge. The warrant shall be executed pursuant to the Maryland Rules. The warrant shall be returned within 5 days from the issuing date or within a shorter period of time set forth in the search warrant.