478

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

Jurisdiction

peace of Montgomery, Prince George, Harford, Cal-

concurrent.

vert, Anne Arundel, Wicomico, Caroline, Talbot,

St. Mary's, Garrett, Howard, Somerset, Washington,

Frederick, Dorchester, Kent, Charles and Allegany

counties, shall have, in addition to the jurisdiction

which they now possess, and which may be conferred

upon them by or under the laws of this State, juris-

diction concurrent with that exercised by the circuit

courts for said counties in all cases of assaults with-

out any felonious intent, and in all cases of assault and

battery, and in all cases of petit larceny when the

value of the property stolen does not exceed the

sum of five dollars, and in all misdemeanors not

punishable by confinement in the penitentiary, which
may be committed within their respective jurisdic-

tions ; and shall have jurisdiction in all prosecutions

or proceedings for the recovery of any penalty for

doing or omitting to do any act, the doing of which

or the omission to do, which is made punishable

under the laws of this State within their said' juris-

diction, by any pecuniary fine or penalty, or by im-
prisonment in jail or in the Maryland House of

Correction; all of which acts or commissions are

Declared

hereby declared to be criminal offences ; and the said

criminal of-

justices shall have power to issue all process, and to

fences.

do all acts which may be necessary to the exercise

of their said jurisdiction, and may try and determine
all cases whereof they may have jurisdiction, and

may pronounce judgment and sentence therein, in

the same manner and to the same extent as the cir-

cuit court for said counties could do in such cases,

as if such cases were tried before them without the

intervention of a jury ; provided, however, that if

any person, when brought before any such justice

having jurisdiction of the case, shall, before trial for
the alleged offence, pray a jury trial, or if the State's
Attorney for said county shall before the trial of such

Trial by jury.

alleged offence, pray a jury trial on the part of the

State, it shall be the duty of any such justice to

commit such alleged offender for trial, or to hold the

said offender to bail, to appear for trial in the circuit

court for the county in which the offence was com-

mitted, at its then session if it be then in session, or

at its next session if it be not then in session, and to

return said commitment or recognizance with the

names and residence of the witnesses for the prose-