WM. PRESTON LANE, JR., GOVERNOR. 2193

shall be dealt with under the provisions hereof relating to
children.

c. To try, subject to the right of trial by jury unless waived,
any parent, guardian, or other adult for any wilful act or
omission contributing to, encouraging, or tending to cause
any condition bringing a child within the jurisdiction of the
Court.

d. For the commitment of a mentally defective child.

835. While sitting under the provisions of this sub-title,
the Trial Magistrates may exercise any of their general
criminal jurisdiction.

836. Any adult over whom the Judge may have jurisdiction
under Section 834(c), if found guilty of any act or omission
as therein defined, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor
and shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding Five Hundred
Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment not exceeding two
years, or both such fine and imprisonment. Upon any such
conviction, the Judge shall have power to impose sentence as
aforesaid, or may suspend sentence and place such adult on
probation and by order impose upon such adult during such
period of probation such duty as shall be deemed to be for
the best interests of the child concerned.

837. In any case pending before him, and at any stage of
such case, the Judge may waive jurisdiction and order the
person before him held for action under regular criminal
procedure.

838. (Initiation of Proceedings.) All cases against adults
shall be initiated by warrant in the usual form in the name of
the State of Maryland, and a separate docket of such cases
shall be kept.

839. Any person may inform the court that a child is within
the purview of this sub-title, and thereupon the Judge may
order or the Division of Parole and Probation may make
a preliminary investigation to determine whether the interests
of the child or of the public require that further action be
taken. The Judge or the Division of Parole and Probation
may make such informal adjustment as is praticable without
petition. The Division of Parole and Probation or any other
person may file in writing under oath, a petition for a hearing
regarding any child. Such petition shall set forth the name
and address of such child and of his parent or other custo-
dian, and shall clearly state the ground upon which the hear-