Maryland Code, PUBLIC SAFETY 3-108
Terms Used In Maryland Code, PUBLIC SAFETY 3-108
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(2) A victims’ rights advocate shall:
(i) explain to a complainant:
1. the complaint, investigation, administrative charging committee, and trial board process;
2. any decision to terminate an investigation;
3. an administrative charging committee’s decision of administratively charged, not administratively charged, unfounded, or exonerated; and
4. a trial board’s decision;
(ii) provide a complainant with an opportunity to review a police officer’s statement, if any, before completion of an investigation by a law enforcement agency’s investigative unit;
(iii) notify a complainant of the status of the case at every stage of the process; and
(iv) provide a case summary to a complainant within 30 days after final disposition of the case.
(b) Each law enforcement agency shall create a database that enables a complainant to enter the complainant’s case number to follow the status of the case as it proceeds through:
(1) investigation;
(2) charging;
(3) offer of discipline;
(4) trial board;
(5) ultimate discipline; and
(6) appeal.