ART. 52] CRIMINAL JURISDICTION. 1285

1904, art. 52, sec. 11. 1888, art. 52, sec. 11. 1860, art 51, sec. 16.
1852, ch. 239, sec. 4.

11. In all cases where the amount claimed or the thing in action
exceeds the sum or value of fifty dollars and justices of the peace have
jurisdiction, the several circuit courts for the counties shall have con-
current jurisdiction with justices of the peace.

This section, in connection with section 6, confers exclusive Jurisdiction
upon justices in replevin where the value of the thing in controversy does
not exceed fifty dollars. Deitrich v. Swartz, 41 Md. 200; Handle v. Button,
43 Md. 68. Cf. Ott v. Dill, 7 Md. 258. See also, Baltimore, etc. Co. v.
Barnes, 6 H. & J. 61.

As to the Jurisdiction of the circuit courts for the counties, see art 26.
sec. 38.

Criminal Jurisdiction.

Ibid. sec. 12. 1890, ch. 618. 1892, ch. 485. 1894, ch. 338. 1896, ch. 128, sec. 11 A.

1906, ch. 475.

12. The several justices of the peace of the State of Maryland,
(except in the city of Baltimore, and in Talbot, Harford, Montgomery
and Frederick counties,) are hereby invested with, and shall have here-
after jurisdiction to hear, try and determine all cases involving the
charge of any offense, crime or misdemeanor, not punishable by con-
finement in the penitentiary or involving a felonious intent, which may
be committed within their respective counties; and shall have jurisdic-
tion to hear, try and determine all prosecutions or proceedings for the
recovery of any penalty for doing or omitting to do any act within their
respective counties, the doing of which or the omission to do which, is
made punishable under the laws of this State by any pecuniary fine or
penalty, or by imprisonment in jail or in the Maryland House of Cor-
rection, all of which acts or omissions are hereby declared to be crimi-
nal offenses; and the said justice shall have power to issue all process,
and to do all acts which may be necessary for the exercise of their said
jurisdiction, and may pronounce judgment and sentence in all such
cases coming before them, in the same manner, and to the same extent
as the circuit courts for said counties could, if such cases had been tried
before said courts; provided, however, that the accused, when brought
before any such justice, on being informed by him of his right to trial
by jury, freely elects to be tried before such justice, and provided, fur-
ther, that a jury trial be not prayed in such case on the part of the
State by the state's attorney. If after a trial before the justice either
party shall feel aggrieved by his judgment there shall be a right of
appeal within ten days to the circuit court for the county in which the
alleged offense is charged to have been committed, and in all cases
where a jury trial is prayed by the State, or the accused elects to be
tried by jury, or appeals from the judgment of the justice, the justice
shall take from the accused his recognizance with sufficient surety con-
ditioned for his personal appearance to answer said charge at the then
session (if there be a session) of the circuit court of their respective
counties, or the next session of said court, if it be not then in session ;
and in default of the accused entering into such recognizance the justice