EMERSON C. HARRINGTON, GOVERNOR. 1321

conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and,
upon conviction in any Court of the State having original jur-
isdiction, shall be punished by fine not exceeding $500. 00 or
imprisonment in the Maryland House of Correction for not
more than one year, or both, in the discretion of the Court.
The fine may be directed by the Court to be paid, in whole or
in part, to such parent or parents; provided that, before the
trial, with the consent of the defendant, or after conviction,
instead of imposing the punishment hereinbefore provided, or,
in addition thereto, the Court, in its discretion, having regard
to the circumstances and financial ability of the defendant,
shall have the power to pass an order, which shall be subject
to change by the Court from time to time as the circumstances
may require, directing the defendant to pay a certain sum or
sums weekly for the space of two years, to such parent or
parents, and to 'release the defendant from custody on proba-
tion for the space of two years upon such defendant entering
into recognizance in such sum as the Court shall direct, with
or without sureties. The condition of such recognizance shall
be such that if the defendant shall make personal appearance
at the Court, whenever ordered so to do within two years, and
shall further comply with the terms of the order, and of any
subsequent modifications thereof, then the recognizance shall
be void, otherwise of full force and effect. If the Court be sat-
isfied by information and due proof under oath, at any time
during said two-year period, that the defendant has violated
the terms of such order, it may forthwith proceed to the trial
of the defendant under the original indictment, or impose sen-
tence under the original conviction, as the case may be. In
case of forfeiture of the recognizance and enforcement thereof
by execution, the sum recovered may, in the discretion of the
Court, be paid, in whole or in part, to such parent or parents.

78-B. If the defendant shall be arrested and brought before
a Justice of the Peace upon the charge of violating Section 78-A
of this Act, such Justice shall hear the case, and if he be of the
opinion that sufficient facts are proved to substantiate the
charge, he shall commit or bail the defendant, pending the
action of the Grand Jury, as in other cases, or, with the con-
sent of the defendant, may, in place of such commitment or
bail, pass an order and take a recognizance as provided in Sec-
tion 78-A of this Act. If the defendant shall violate the con-
dition of the 'recognizance, it may be forfeited, and the Justice
shall note the forfeiture on the recognizance and deliver it to