4426

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 820

infirmity or illness to support himself or herself shall, in
writing under oath filed with a State's attorney (the term
State's attorney as used in this subtitle includes deputy
State's attorney or assistant State's attorney acting under
authority given by the State's attorney) accuse his or her
adult child of being possessed of or able to earn means
sufficient to provide such parent with necessary shelter,
food, care and clothing and has failed to do so, the State's
attorney may require witnesses other than the child accused
to appear before him for such examination of witnesses as
may be deemed in the public interest. After such
examination or inquiry the State's attorney may file an
information in the circuit court of the county [or the
Criminal Court of Baltimore City, as the case may be,]
against the accused child charging him with the offense of
nonsupport.

(B) Nothing in this section, however, shall prevent
the State's attorney, if he sees fit, from submitting any
such nonsupport case to the grand jury, as in other criminal
cases, for such action as it may deem proper, instead of
proceeding by way of information.

106.

The State's attorney may, for the purpose of
facilitating the handling of such cases, issue subpoenas and
summonses requiring the personal attendance of any person,
firm, corporation or association, other than the accused
child, to give testimony in connection with such examination
or inquiry, or requiring the production of any and all
documentary matter in connection with such examination or
inquiry. The State's attorney may also administer oaths and
affirmations, examine witnesses and receive evidence. In
case of disobedience to a subpoena or summons, or the
contumacy of a witness appearing before him, the State's
attorney may invoke the aid of the circuit court of the
county [or the Criminal Court of the City of Baltimore, as
the case may be]; and the court may thereupon issue an order
requiring the person, firm, corporation or association, to
obey the subpoena or summons and to give testimony and to
produce any and all documentary matter deemed necessary by
said court for such investigation or inquiry. In case any
person, firm, corporation or association refuse to obey such
an order of the court after the same has been served on the
witness, such person, firm, corporation or association shall
be deemed in contempt of court and shall be punished
therefor, subject to the right to appeal as now provided or
hereafter regulated.

264.

(c) (1) If the trial or other ultimate disposition of
such charge or charges, indictment or indictments, results
in a record of conviction being entered against the person