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Circuit Court for Baltimore City

Baltimore City Public Local Laws subtit. 22
in effect

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-2 Administrator — appointment; compensation.

§ 22-2 Administrator — appointment; compensation. The Administrator shall be appointed by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City to serve during its pleasure. The Administrator shall devote full time to official duties and shall not at any time engage in the practice of law. The Administrator shall receive such compensation as is provided from time to time in the Ordinance of Estimates.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-3 Administrator — assistants and employees.

§ 22-3 Administrator — assistants and employees. The Administrator, with the approval of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, shall appoint such assistants and other employees as are necessary to enable the Administrator to perform his duties, including the discharge of the duties of Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, under Article IV, Section 25 of the Constitution of Maryland, the administrative duties of the Court, and the persons appointed shall receive such compensation as is provided from time to time in the Ordinance of Estimates.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-4 Administrator — duties.

§ 22-4 Administrator — duties. The Administrator, under the supervision and direction of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, shall: (1) Exercise general administrative supervision of the Circuit Court. (2) Serve as personnel officer of the Circuit Court, and in such capacity recommend to the Court: (i) job descriptions and classifications for all employees of the Circuit Court; (ii) appropriate salary scales and standard procedures for the procurement and promotion of personnel of the Circuit Court; and (iii) regulations governing hours of work, leaves of absence, and other conditions of employment of the Circuit Court. (3) Formulate and submit to the Circuit Court recommendations for the improvement of its judicial system. (4) Examine the administrative and business methods and systems employed in the offices related to and serving the Circuit Court for possible improvement. (5) In cooperation with the Administrative Office of the Courts of the State of Maryland, collect and compile statistical data and other information on the work of other offices related to and serving the Circuit Court, and transmit this material to the Circuit Court. (6) Examine the condition of the dockets and the practices and procedures of the Circuit Court and make recommendations for expediting litigation. (7) Prepare and submit budget estimates of appropriations necessary for the maintenance and operation of the Circuit Court and of the offices related to and serving the Court. (8) File requests for permission to spend funds appropriated for the Circuit Court and for offices related to and serving the Court and approve all proper vouchers for the expenditure of such funds. (9) Secure and maintain space for courtrooms and office facilities and purchase, exchange, and distribute equipment and supplies for the judges and the offices, officers, and employees of the Circuit Court, as supported by appropriations in the Ordinance of Estimates. (10) Collect and compile statistical data and other information on the expenditures and receipts of the Court, and related offices and make periodic reports thereof to the judges of the Circuit Court. (11) Consult with and assist the officers and employees of the Circuit Court. (12) Investigate complaints with respect to the operation of the Circuit Court and make such recommendations to the judges of the Circuit Court as may be appropriate. (13) Perform such additional duties as may be assigned by the Circuit Court. (14) Prepare and publish an annual report on the activities of the Administrative Office of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-5 Other appointive powers retained.

§ 22-5 Other appointive powers retained. The authority of the judges of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City to appoint other administrative or clerical personnel is not limited by any provision of this subtitle.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-7 Chief; employees.

§ 22-7 Chief; employees. The Sheriff of Baltimore City shall appoint other court security officers and other employees as are necessary, who shall serve at his pleasure. The Mayor and City Council have the same power with respect to the salaries of court security officers and other employees of the Division of Court House Security as they have under the Charter with respect to all municipal departments.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-8 Duties of Division.

§ 22-8 Duties of Division. The Chief of the Court House Security Division shall: (1) establish qualifications for Court Security Officers, procedures for their recruitment, and suitable examinations to determine their experience, skill, and ability; (2) develop a plan for maintaining all necessary security measures within the courtrooms, corridors, and other public facilities within the Baltimore City Court House and any building utilized as an annex thereto; (3) recommend the specific duties of the Court Security Officers, including their assignments and work schedules; (4) maintain supervision over all Court Security Officers and other employees of the Division of Court House Security, and be responsible for its efficient operation.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-9 Powers of Peace Officers.

§ 22-9 Powers of Peace Officers. Court Security Officers as provided in this subtitle are hereby vested with the powers of police officers within any building used in whole or in part by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City; and with powers to preserve security and protect from damage; and with powers to maintain order and the free and unimpeded passage therein and therefrom; and in furtherance thereof, to arrest any person who defaces or damages said buildings, and any person who by any act or conduct disturbs or interferes with the decorum and tranquility of any courtroom, or any other part of said buildings, as to disrupt and endanger the administration of justice, the integrity and dignity of the judicial processes, the orderly progress of a court proceeding, or the rights of litigants. Such powers shall extend outside the Court House and any annex whenever such Court House Security Officer may be in pursuit of any person who has committed any offense or breach of peace within such buildings or has escaped from the lawful custody of any sheriff, jail guard, prison guard, or police officer, and whenever a Court House Security Officer accompanies any judge of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City while the judge is performing any official duty or is proceeding from the Court House to, or returning to the Court House from, any place within the City of Baltimore that a judicial duty is performed. Under no circumstances may a Court Security Officer act as a chauffeur or driver for a judge or perform any other duty not directly related to the functions of the Court and of the judge.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-10 Weapons; uniforms.

§ 22-10 Weapons; uniforms. The Chief of the Court House Security Division and all Court House Security Officers are authorized to carry appropriate weapons when so directed by the Sheriff of Baltimore City, and they shall, when on duty, wear uniforms approved and provided by the Sheriff of Baltimore City.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-11 Salaries and expenses.

§ 22-11 Salaries and expenses. The salaries of personnel of the Court House Security Division together with funds necessary to provide uniforms, equipment, supplies, and general expenses shall be included in the annual operating budget requests of the Sheriff of Baltimore City as provided in the Annual Ordinance of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-12 Contracts for probation and other services.

§ 22-12 Contracts for probation and other services. The Circuit Court for Baltimore City is authorized and empowered to enter into a contract or contracts with the Division of Parole and Probation, the State Social Services Administration or with any other agency or instrumentality of the State of Maryland to employ personnel and render services to fulfill the terms of a grant or appropriation from the federal government or another third party with respect to functions related to the suspension of sentences in criminal cases and the placing of persons on probation or parole or related to the collection of civil and criminal orders of support.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-13 Authority of Clerk to take.

§ 22-13 Authority of Clerk to take. The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City shall have the power at any time to take bail when authorized by the Court, whether the Court is in session or not, and although the defendant is not present or does not join in the recognizance, but in all cases, before bail is taken by the Clerk, the Court shall fix the amount thereof.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-14 Application.

§ 22-14 Application. Whenever any person charged with a criminal offense desires to be admitted to bail, his recognizor, except as provided for in Section 22-13, shall sign and make oath to an application in which shall be stated the location of his property, his interest therein, its value, ground rent, mortgages, and other recognizances and incumbrances, if any, to which it may be subject, and such other matters as may be inquired of, and required to be inserted in the application by the Clerk to whom such application is made, to enable such Clerk to determine the value of the security offered.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-15 Bail on own recognizance.

§ 22-15 Bail on own recognizance. The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City may, when ordered by the Court, admit any person to bail on that person’s own recognizance, or may accept a recognizor without stated property qualifications.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-16 Wording of bail.

§ 22-16 Wording of bail. It shall be sufficient for recognizances taken in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, when signed by the judge or the clerk thereof, to conform to the following formula: “You and each of you acknowledge yourselves to owe and stand indebted to the State of Maryland in the sum of ____________ dollars for the appearance of __________________ at this Court on the ____ day of ________ 19___ to answer the charge alleged against that person, and to attend this Court thereafter from day to day until discharged therefrom in due course of law.”

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-17 Recognizance to be lien; judgment.

§ 22-17 Recognizance to be lien; judgment. Every recognizance taken in any criminal proceeding in Baltimore City shall be a lien upon the property of the recognizor mentioned in the recognizor’s application from the date of the acknowledgment of such recognizance, unless such recognizance shall have been acknowledged before a District Court Commissioner or before a court upon writ of habeas corpus, in which it shall be a lien from the time it is filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. When any recognizance is forfeited it shall become a judgment, and shall have all the effects of judgments rendered in civil causes, and may be enforced by execution by order of the State’s Attorney at any time within six years from the date of the forfeiture, and not afterwards.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-18 Recordation of recognizance.

§ 22-18 Recordation of recognizance. It shall be the duty of the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City immediately to record, in a properly indexed book to be provided for that purpose, the names of the persons who have entered into recognizances, the date of the filing of the recognizances with the Clerk of the Court, if such recognizance has been acknowledged before a District Court Commissioner or before some other court upon writ of habeas corpus, the amount thereof, and the date of the acknowledgment of the same; the location of the property mentioned in the application, and when any recognizance shall be forfeited; and when any forfeiture shall be striken out or discharged, it shall be the duty of the Circuit Court clerk to make an appropriate entry in the recognizance book, showing such disposition of the recognizance or the forfeiture, together with the date thereof.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-19 Bonding company as recognizor.

§ 22-19 Bonding company as recognizor. Any officer having power to admit to bail may accept as recognizor any bonding, guarantee or trust company incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland, or under the laws of any State in the United States, and doing business in the City of Baltimore, which is authorized by its charter to become surety on official bonds.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-20 Accused as own recognizor.

§ 22-20 Accused as own recognizor. Any person having power to admit to bail under the provisions of this subtitle may accept the accused as his own recognizor, upon cash or other property owned by him, and upon his conforming otherwise to the provisions of this subtitle.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-21 District Court — power to accept bail.

§ 22-21 District Court — power to accept bail. The District Court of Maryland shall not accept bail for persons charged with manslaughter, other than charge for manslaughter arising out of a motor vehicle accident, murder or any offense the punishment for which may be death; such court may, in its discretion, accept the bail for any person charged with the commission of any felony other than those mentioned above; and any misdemeanor the punishment for which may be confinement in the penitentiary; and whenever bail is offered for any person charged with the commission of any misdemeanor other than those already set forth, such Court shall accept the same; provided it is satisfied with the security offered.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-22 District Court — application.

§ 22-22 District Court — application. Whenever a person charged with a bailable, criminal offense before the District Court of Maryland desires to be admitted to bail, his recognizor shall sign and make oath to an application in which shall be stated such matters as may be required of and required to be inserted in such application by the Court to enable it to determine the value of the security offered. Any recognizance acknowledged before such Court shall be good, although the defendant does not join in the same.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-23 District Court — recognizance to Circuit Court.

§ 22-23 District Court — recognizance to Circuit Court. Whenever any person charged with the commission of a criminal offense is admitted to bail by the District Court of Maryland for appearance in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, the Clerk of the District Court of Maryland shall forthwith deliver the recognizance to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Such recognizance shall then become a record of the Circuit Court, and may be forfeited, and the forfeiture may be enforced in the same manner as if recognizance has been taken by the Circuit Court.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-24 District Court — forfeiture.

§ 22-24 District Court — forfeiture. Whenever any person charged with a criminal offense before the District Court of Maryland is admitted to bail for further hearing, if such person does not appear at such hearing according to the tenor of his recognizance, it may be forfeited. If forfeited, the District Court Clerk shall note the forfeiture on the recognizance, and deliver it to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. The said forfeited recognizance shall then become a record of the Circuit Court, and shall have the same effect and may be enforced in the same manner as if it had been taken and forfeited by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-26 Bailiffs — appointment; salaries.

§ 22-26 Bailiffs — appointment; salaries. The Circuit Court for Baltimore City is authorized to appoint Law Clerk-Bailiffs and secretaries as may be needed to assist the judges in the performance of their duties. All such employees appointed prior to July 1, 1968, or who may be appointed thereafter shall hold office at the pleasure of the Circuit Court and be paid such salaries as shall be provided in the annual Ordinance of Estimates of Baltimore City and approved by the Circuit Court under the provisions of Section 22-4 of Article IV of the Code of Public Local Laws of Maryland.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-27 Bailiffs — longevity retirement.

§ 22-27 Bailiffs — longevity retirement. (a) Service. (1) Any bailiffs who, on July 1, 1968, are designated as Jury Commissioner and as Assistant Jury Commissioner, shall after having served twenty preceding consecutive years as a bailiff and/or Jury Commissioner or Assistant Jury Commissioner, be entitled to retirement salaries in the amount of $7,500 per annum for the Jury Commissioner and $5,000 per annum for the Assistant Jury Commissioner. Retirement is mandatory upon attainment of age 70 years. (2) The surviving spouse of any person eligible for the benefits for which provision is made by this section is entitled to one half of those benefits. (b) Amount — 20 years’ service. All bailiffs who, on July 1, 1968, are receiving retirement pay by reason of having served twenty consecutive years, shall thereafter be entitled to retirement salaries of $3,000 per annum each. (c) Amount — prior appointment. All bailiffs appointed prior to January 1, 1952, who, on July 1, 1968, or thereafter, shall have attained age seventy years or have completed the service of twenty preceding consecutive years, shall be entitled to a retirement salary of $4,000 per annum; provided, however, such retirement shall be mandatory at age seventy years. All bailiffs appointed prior to January 1, 1952, who on January 1, 1976, have completed the service of 30 preceding consecutive years, shall be entitled to a retirement salary of $4,000 per annum. However, the retirement shall be mandatory at age 70 years. (d) Amount — later appointment. All bailiffs appointed after January 1, 1952, but prior to January 1, 1960, shall be retired in accordance with the provisions of the Employees’s Retirement System, and shall receive no retirement salary under this section unless, at the time of any such retirement, a bailiff has completed twenty consecutive years of service and his annual benefits under the Retirement System are less than $3,000 per annum, in which event and notwithstanding the provisions of any ordinance to the contrary, such bailiff shall be paid a retirement salary under this section in such amount that his combined benefits under the Retirement System and this section will total $3,000 per annum. (e) Amount — recent appointment. No bailiff appointed after January 1, 1960, shall be entitled to any retirement salary under this section.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-28 Bailiffs — disability retirement.

§ 22-28 Bailiffs — disability retirement. (a) In general. Any bailiff appointed prior to January 1, 1960, who, being under seventy years of age and having served less than the twenty preceding consecutive years has, or may hereafter become physically or mentally incapable of performing his duties by reason of illness or accident not resulting from his own misconduct, including those bailiffs who, on July 1, 1968, are receiving retirement salary by reason of such incapacity, shall after the said date be entitled to the same retirement salary that such bailiff would have been entitled to receive under either Section 22-28(c) or Section 22-28(d) {§ 22-27(c) or (d)} had he completed the service of twenty consecutive years; provided, however, that after July 1, 1968, no bailiff shall be paid any retirement salary under this section except during the period of his continued incapacity to perform the duties of the position. (b) Certification of incapacity required. Each bailiff retired by reason of incapacity and claiming continued incapacity to perform the duties of a bailiff shall submit to the Administrator of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, on or before January 1st of each year, a medical statement certifying such incapacity which shall be satisfactory to the Medical Service Division of the Baltimore City Civil Service Commission. (c) Benefits limited to pre-1960 appointees. No bailiff appointed after January 1, 1960, shall be entitled to any retirement salary under this section.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-30 Court reporters — longevity retirement.

§ 22-30 Court reporters — longevity retirement. (a) Pre-1956 appointees: age 70 or 25 years’ service. Any official court reporter of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City appointed prior to January 1, 1956, including any reporter assigned to the Grand Jury, who has served twenty-five preceding consecutive years or has attained the age of seventy years while so employed, shall be entitled to retirement with a salary of $8,000 per year. Retirement shall be mandatory at age seventy years. (b) Retirees as of July 1, 1969: age 60 and 25 years’ service. Every court reporter receiving a retirement salary on July 1, 1969, who was retired upon attainment of sixty or more years of age, and the completion of twenty-five consecutive years of service, shall be entitled to a retirement salary of $8,000 per year. (c) Benefit irrespective of earned income. Retirement salaries paid under subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not be diminished by reason of the retired reporter’s having any earned income. (d) Benefit limited to pre-1956 appointees. No reporter appointed after January 1, 1956, shall be entitled to any retirement salary under this section.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-31 Court reporters — disability retirement.

§ 22-31 Court reporters — disability retirement. (a) Disability retirees as of July 1, 1969. Every official court reporter who, on July 1, 1969, is receiving a retirement salary under the provisions of this subtitle by reason of physical or mental incapacity to perform the duties of his or her position, shall thereafter be entitled to a retirement salary of $8,000 per year when eligible therefor under subsection (c) of this section. (b) Pre-1956 appointees. Any official court reporter appointed prior to January 1, 1956, who, having served less than twenty-five preceding consecutive years and being under seventy years of age, shall become physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of that position by reason of ailments or accidents not resulting from the reporter’s own misconduct, shall be entitled during the period of such incapacity to a retirement salary of $8,000 per year. (c) Earned income limits; medical statement. Every court reporter otherwise entitled to a retirement salary under subsections (a) or (b) above, shall receive such salary only when such retired reporter’s earned income is less than $4,000 per year; and the amount of such retirement salary shall be the difference between the retired reporter’s earned income and the $4,000 maximum provided herein. In order to claim a retirement salary under this section, each court reporter retired by reason of incapacity shall, on January 1 of each year, file with the Administrator of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City a statement showing (1) the reporter’s earned income for the previous year, and (2) the reporter’s anticipated earnings for the ensuing year, together with a medical statement satisfactory to the Medical Service Division of the Baltimore City Civil Service Commission that the reporter remains incapable of performing the duties of a court reporter. (d) Benefits limited to pre-1956 appointees. No reporter appointed after January 1, 1956, shall be entitled to any retirement salary under this section.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-32 Certification and manner of payment.

§ 22-32 Certification and manner of payment. The eligibility of any bailiff or court reporter for a retirement salary under this subtitle shall be evidenced by a certificate of the Administrator of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City directed to the Board of Estimates, and all retirement salaries shall be paid in the same manner as the salaries of active bailiffs and court reporters.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-36 Index of Judgments.

§ 22-36 Index of Judgments. The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City is authorized and required to prepare an index of all judgments rendered in the court, and on each day after the adjournment of court, enter in a book to be provided for that purpose, an index of each judgment rendered in the court.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-38 Circuit Court for Baltimore City — licenses.

§ 22-38 Circuit Court for Baltimore City — licenses. There shall be entered in writing by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City upon the face of all licenses obtained by individuals, firms or corporations to conduct business as trades {traders} in the City of Baltimore, the name of the street and number of the house or building, or if there be no number, a full designation of the location of said house or building for which a license is applied for; and each license shall only authorize the transaction of business in one house or building, unless the individual, firm or corporation shall occupy more than one adjoining houses or buildings, and said houses or buildings have open, direct, internal communication with each other; in that case one license will cover transactions in said adjoining houses or buildings so arranged and occupied; provided always, that any firm, individual or corporation may obtain any number of licenses to conduct business in any number of separate places of business in the City, upon paying for each license a sum graded according to the amount of stock or merchandise generally kept on hand or proposed to be kept on hand at the principal season of sale in their respective places of business, according to the Code of Public General Laws, 1957 Edition, Article 56, Sections 35 to 55 {§ 17-1808 of the State Business Regulations Article}, or such amendments as may hereafter be added thereto.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-41 Grand juries — continuance; additional.

§ 22-41 Grand juries — continuance; additional. (a) Continuance into next court term. When the Grand Jury for any regular term of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City has begun an investigation or inquiry and, prior to the end of this term of court, the Judges of the Circuit Court for such term shall deem it necessary or desirable that the investigation or inquiry be continued by the Grand Jury into the next succeeding term of court, these Judges may pass an order directing the Grand Jury to be continued and shall specify the particular investigation or inquiry for which it was continued. Such Grand Jury shall possess all the powers it had when originally appointed, except that it shall be limited to the investigation or inquiry specified in the order of the Judges of the Circuit Court. Any such Grand Jury shall continue its investigation until the investigation has been completed or until it is discharged by an order of the Judges of the Circuit Court. Whenever the Judges order any Grand Jury to be continued, the Judges shall proceed to select the Grand Jury for the next succeeding regular term of court as otherwise provided for herein. (b) Creation of additional grand jury. Whenever the Judges of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City for any term of the court deem it necessary or desirable, they may adopt an order directing that an additional grand jury or juries be selected and sworn in to carry out the specific purpose or purposes stated in the order of these Judges. Such an additional grand jury or juries shall continue in existence, until it is dissolved by order of these Judges. During its existence, the additional grand jury or juries shall have all of the powers of a Grand Jury with respect to the purpose or purposes stated in the order of these Judges. Where an additional grand jury is ordered by the Judges, any case presented to and dismissed by one of the grand juries shall not be presented to the other grand jury.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-43 Return of capias — in general.

§ 22-43 Return of capias — in general. It shall be the duty of the Sheriff to make return of each capias upon presentment or indictment from said court within five days after the same is delivered to him by the clerk; and if said capias is returned non est, the clerk shall, in the discretion of the State’s Attorney of Baltimore City, order said capias to be reissued, and the same capias shall again be delivered to the Sheriff; and the date of the first return thereof shall be endorsed thereon; and the second return shall be made within the time above specified; and in case the said capias is returned the second time non est, the same shall be again so endorsed and delivered to the Sheriff.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-44 Return of capias — fees.

§ 22-44 Return of capias — fees. The clerk of said court and the Sheriff of said City shall be allowed only the fees for the issue of one capias, or for the service of one capias in each term, however often the same may be issued or returned.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-45 Subpoenas for witnesses — in general.

§ 22-45 Subpoenas for witnesses — in general. All subpoenas for witnesses from said court shall be returned by the Sheriff within six days after the same are issued by the clerk, or within six days after the day of the renewal of such subpoenas, unless the same are ordered to be returned immediately, in which case they shall be so returned, if practicable.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-46 Subpoenas for witnesses — Sheriff’s fee.

§ 22-46 Subpoenas for witnesses — Sheriff’s fee. The said Sheriff shall be allowed for the service of one subpoena only, against any witness that may be returned non est, and for whom the said subpoena may be renewed, whether once or oftener in one term.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-47 Subpoenas for witnesses — renewals.

§ 22-47 Subpoenas for witnesses — renewals. The clerk of said court, if a subpoena is renewed by order of the State’s Attorney, or by the counsel of the prisoner or traverser, shall endorse the renewal, on the subpoena, and the same shall have the legal effect of a new subpoena issued in the term of said court during which said subpoena was first issued.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-49 Witnesses before Grand Jury.

§ 22-49 Witnesses before Grand Jury. Witnesses appearing before the Grand Jury shall be sworn in the presence of the Grand Jury by the foreman or by some other member appointed by the foreman for that purpose.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-50 City not liable for appearance fees.

§ 22-50 City not liable for appearance fees. The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore shall not be liable in any criminal case tried in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City for the appearance fees allowed by law to the attorney of a defendant who formally denies an allegation of fact in an indictment or criminal information.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-51 Delivery of principal.

§ 22-51 Delivery of principal. If any security in any recognizance shall request to deliver up the principal, said court, or the judge thereof in the recess, may accept such surrender, and may require and take other recognizance, or commit the principal to jail until he gives such security as the law requires.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-52 Witness failing to attend.

§ 22-52 Witness failing to attend. If any person who shall be summoned as a witness to said court shall fail to attend as required in said summons, he shall be fined by said court in its discretion, not exceeding one hundred and fifty dollars.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-53 Forfeiture of bail — attachment.

§ 22-53 Forfeiture of bail — attachment. In all criminal cases in the said court in which bail shall be forfeited, the person who shall have entered into such recognizance for the appearance of any traverser or prisoner shall be liable forthwith to an attachment for contempt for the nonappearance of said party, which attachment shall be issued by the court in which an indictment against said traverser or prisoner is pending, at the instance of the attorney prosecuting therein.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-54 Forfeiture of bail — discharge.

§ 22-54 Forfeiture of bail — discharge. In all cases in which bail as aforesaid is forfeited, the court may, on the return of said attachment, order the person attached to stand committed until the amount of said recognizance is fully paid and satisfied, or may order said person to be discharged upon the payment of such lesser sum as it shall, in its discretion, deem proper, provided, such sum be not less than the amount of the costs which may have accrued in the case up to the time of passing such order.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-57 Custody of probationer.

§ 22-57 Custody of probationer. The courts aforesaid are hereby authorized and empowered to place any minor sixteen years of age or older, who may be on probation as herein provided for in the custody of such person or persons for such period of time as may be deemed for the best interest and welfare of said minor if it shall appear that the present custodian or parent is not a fit person to have the custody of such minor, or that it would be conducive to the best interests of such minor to have a change of custodian. Any person or persons who may in any manner whatsoever interfere with any probation officer for delinquent and dependent children in the proper discharge of his or her duties, or who may interfere with any person or persons in whose custody any such minor may be placed as aforesaid or who may interfere with or attempt in any manner to entice any such minor from such custody, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be fined not less than five nor more than fifty dollars for each offense.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-58 Violation of probation.

§ 22-58 Violation of probation. The probation officers herein provided for shall have the power to bring any minor or minors who may be on probation as aforesaid before the Court ordering such probation by a process of warrant duly sworn to charging him or them with violation of the terms or conditions of their probation, or by subpoena directed to them, for further proceedings and when such action is taken the Court may reopen or continue proceedings and finally dispose of the same as fully as could have been done had there been no suspension of sentence or proceedings in the first place; provided, however, that in any case where a full trial or hearing has not been had and the charge or crime has not been fully shown, sustained or determined before suspension of sentence or further proceedings, the Court shall hear the case de novo before sentence is passed or a final disposition of the case is made.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-59 Extension of probation.

§ 22-59 Extension of probation. The Court shall have the authority to extend the term of probation at any time for such additional period as may be deemed proper and may attach thereto the same or additional terms and conditions as were originally attached or may at any time dismiss the probationer and the proceedings in which sentence or further proceedings were originally suspended.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-60 Stenographers and typists.

§ 22-60 Stenographers and typists. The Circuit Court for Baltimore City is hereby authorized to appoint three persons as stenographers and typists to serve during its pleasure who shall receive from the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore such salaries as may be appropriated in the annual Ordinance of Estimates. Said persons shall be members of the staff of the judges assigned by the Court to exercise jurisdiction in juvenile causes and shall perform such duties as they may require.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-64 Return of original writ.

§ 22-64 Return of original writ. On the return of an original writ, not executed in either of said courts, the same may be renewed, returnable to the next return day thereafter, and after two returns of any original writ not executed at the two succeeding return days after the writ is first issued, the same shall be permitted to lie dormant, renewable only on the written order of the plaintiff or his attorney of record to such future return day as the said plaintiff or his attorney may elect, and upon a further return if not executed, said writ shall be again permitted to lie, renewable only as aforesaid, the said plaintiff or his attorney having the right to renew said writ to as many subsequent return days, under the same mode of procedure as may be deemed proper, until the same is executed.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-65 Execution of writ or process.

§ 22-65 Execution of writ or process. After the execution of any writ or other process made returnable to a return day in either of said courts, the same proceedings may be had thereupon as if the same had been made returnable, and had been returned to a term of said court under the practice heretofore existing, except as hereinafter otherwise provided.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-67 Continuance.

§ 22-67 Continuance. In all cases in which a party by law would be entitled to a continuance, the court may, instead of continuing the cause to the next term, postpone the same for thirty days, or such other period as will best subserve the interests of justice.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-77 Condemnation appeals as to benefits or damages.

§ 22-77 Condemnation appeals as to benefits or damages. In cases in which appeals are or may be allowed to be litigated in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City from the decisions of any commissioners, or other persons appointed in any manner to determine any benefits or damages in any form of condemnation proceedings, for the use of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, it shall be lawful for the City to enter appeals in the same manner and within the same time or times allowed for their entry by other persons; and all such appeals by whomsoever prayed within the time or times limited therefor, shall be heard and determined by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City as soon as possible, each person interested being secured in his, her or its rights to a jury trial; and in case there should be more than one appeal in reference to the same piece of property, they may all be consolidated and heard together, in the discretion of the court, before one jury; provided, a sufficient panel of jurors be furnished, so that the City and the owners or representatives of each separate interest or estate in such property may strike four names from such jury panel; the practice, including the right of appeal to the Court of Special Appeals in all such cases, shall conform as near as may be possible to the practice now prevailing in Circuit Court in the trial of appeals from the decisions of the Department of Public Works.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-80 Removal of proceedings.

§ 22-80 Removal of proceedings. Whenever the record of proceedings in any suit, action or issue pending in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City shall be directed to be transmitted for trial to some other court, in accordance with Article 4, Section 8, of the Constitution of Maryland, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the court from which the record of the proceedings is directed to be removed, to immediately deliver to the clerk of the court to which the case is directed to be removed to, all the original papers in the case, together with a certified copy of all docket entries relating to the case which original papers and copy of docket entries shall constitute the record of the proceedings for the purposes of such trial; and it shall become the duty of the judge of the court to which the suit, action or issue shall be removed immediately by special order to assign the case for trial to such day, or in sequence to such other causes, as the judge shall consider just and proper.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-87 Interpretation of subheading.

§ 22-87 Interpretation of subheading. The powers named in this subheading are not to be construed in derogation of or in limitation of any power of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City or of any Judge thereof.

Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 22, § 22-90 Reproduction of worn books.

§ 22-90 Reproduction of worn books. Whenever, from age or wear, any of the record books in the custody and control of the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City shall be in danger of destruction or obliteration, it shall be the duty of the Clerk of the Circuit Court to have a photo copy or photostatic copy made of such record book. The copy shall have the same legal effect as the original record. After copying, the Clerk of Court shall offer the original record to the State Archivist and if it is refused by the Archivist, the Clerk may destroy the original record after making and sending a microfilm copy to the State Archivist. The Clerk may pay for the cost of such reproductions and microfilm copies out of the fees of the Clerk’s office, but if the fees are insufficient, the cost of this reproduction shall be paid by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore.
Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/public-local-laws/22Fetched: 10/25/2026

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Baltimore City Public Local Laws subtit. 22 — Circuit Court for Baltimore City | Code of Public Local Laws of Baltimore City (publication of Oct. 18, 2026) — City of Baltimore | Corpus