LAWS OF MARYLAND.— 1809.

589

CHAPTER 144.

AN ACT regulating the powers of the County Courts in Criminal
Proceedings.

WHEREAS, by an act of assembly passed at November ses-
sion, seventeen hundred and ninety-three,* entitled, an act
respecting the punishment of criminals, among other things it
provided, that any person presented or indicted may submit to
the court, provided that such submission shall always be deemed
so far an admission of the crime or offence charged, as to ren-
der the person submitting liable to the costs of the prosecution:
And whereas, it is considered, that great time and expense may
be saved in authorizing the several county courts, and court of
oyer and terminer and gaol delivery for Baltimore county,* to
determine on the whole merits of the case which may be to the
said courts respectively submitted ; therefore,
*See 1816, ch. 193.

Preamble.
*Chap. 57.

SEC. 2. Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That from and after the passage of this act, it shall and may be
lawful for any person presented or indicted to submit to the
court, at his or her discretion, and the court to which such case
shall be submitted, is hereby authorized and empowered to
decide on the whole merits of the case, which submission shall
not be considered an admission of the fact, either to find the
person so submitting guilty of the offence charged, or to charge
him or her with the costs of prosecution, if not guilty of the
offence.

CHAPTER 153.

AN ACT concerning the amendment of Judicial Proceedings.
See 1811, ch. 161.

Court, on
the submis-
sion of the
person
indicted,
may decide
on the
whole
merits.

SEC. I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That the courts of law shall have power to order and allow
amendments to be made in all proceedings whatever before ver-
dict, so as to bring the merits of the question between the par-
ties fairly to trial, and if amendment is made after the jury is
sworn, a juror shall be withdrawn ; and in all cases where
amendments are made, the adverse party shall have time to
prepare to support his case, but the case shall not be continued
to the next term, unless the court shall be satisfied that the
same is necessary, and such costs shall be allowed the party
against whom such amendment may be made as the court shall
think just.

Amend-
ments may
be made in
all proceed-
ings before
verdict, &c.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That all writs of error wherein
there shall be any variance from the original record, or other
defect, may be amended, and made agreeable to such record ;
and that where any verdict shall be given in any action, suit or

All writs of
error may
be amend-
ed — after
verdict.