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CHAPTER 340.
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AN ACT to regulate the proceedure in prosecutions for
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cruelty to animals.
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SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
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Maryland, That justices of the peace shall have jurisdiction
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Cruelty to
animals-
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concurrent with that of the courts of criminal jurisdiction,
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jurisdic-
tion of
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to try and determine all cases in relation to cruelty to ani-
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magis-
trates
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mals and to pronounce sentence of fine and imprisonment,
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or either, in the same manner as said courts ; but if either
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the party accused or the State's attorney shall elect to have
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the case tried before court it shall be the duty of the jus-
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tice of the peace to give a preliminary hearing, except in
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cases where such hearing is waived by the accused, and if
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there be a probable cause of guilt, to commit or bail the
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the accused for the action of the court having jurisdiction.
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SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That whenever a fine is imposed
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Fines
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in any such case by any court or justice of the peace one-
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half thereof shall be paid to the Maryland Society for the
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Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Baltimore City, in case
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there shall be no society of a similar character in the county,
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city or town where the offence shall have been committed,
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in which latter event the said one-half of the fine shall be
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paid to the said local society.
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SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That the justice of the peace
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before whom any party accused shall be brought for his
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Waiver of
Jury trial.
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action under the provision of this act shall before proceed-
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ing to try and determine the case, make kuown to such
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party his right to a trial before the court having criminal
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jurisdictiou, as aforesaid, and shall obtain from such party
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a written waiver of said right signed by such party to be
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filed among the proceedings in the case and to be noted on
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the docket of said justice.
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SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect
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Effective.
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from the date of its passage.
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Approved April 7th, 1892.
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