1846 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 1044

(e) He shall have power to determine the paternity of any
child alleged to have been born out of wedlock and to provide
for his support; in which cases the defendant shall be entitled
to jury trial unless he. shall voluntarily waive such right and
request trial by the court.

(f) He shall have original jurisdiction in proceedings
against adults charged with wilfully contributing to, encour-
aging, or tending to cause by any act or omission any condi-
tion which would bring a child within the provisions of this
chapter.

The court shall have jurisdiction to try cases of non-
support of children coming before the court the same as other
justices of the peace or trial magistrates now have in non-
support cases, or may hereafter, have. He shall have power and
authority to enforce obedience to his orders, writs and judg-
ments by attachment and to inflict summary punishment for
contempt of court by a fine not exceeding in any one case the
sum of Twenty Dollars ($20. 00); and make such rules and
orders from time to time for the well governing and regu-
lating his court and the employees and suitors thereof and
under such fines and forfeitures as he shall think fit, not ex-
ceeding twenty dollars ($20. 00) for any one offense, all of
which fine shall go to the State.

(g) When jurisdiction shall have been obtained by the court
in the case of any child, such child shall continue under the
jurisdiction of the court until he becomes 21 years of age unless
discharged prior thereto; provided, however, that nothing here-
in contained shall affect the jurisdiction of other courts over
offenses committed by such child after he reaches the age of 18.

547F. "Dependent", "neglected" and "delinquent" child de-
fined—The terms "dependent" or "neglected" child as used in
this sub-heading shall be held to mean and include any child
who is destitute or homeless or abandoned or dependent upon
the public for support or is without proper care and guardian-
ship, or is unlawfully kept out of school, or mentally defi-
cient, or is found living with vicious or depraved persons.

The term "delinquent" child or children as used in this sub-
heading shall be held to mean and include any child who vio-
lates any law or ordinance of the State or county, or who com-
mits any act which, if committed by an adult would be a crime
not punishable by death, or by life imprisonment; who is incor-
rigible or is beyond the control of his parents, guardian or
custodian, or is habitually a truant, or who without just cause
or consent deserts his home or place of abode, who knowingly
associates with thieves, vicious or depraved persons or is grow-
ing up in idleness or crime, or knowingly frequents any gamb-
ling places, places where beer or intoxicating beverages are