THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 493

before becoming eighteen years of age, shall be within the
jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court 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 juris-
diction of the Court.

d. For the commitment of a mentally defective child.

236. While sitting under the provisions of this sub-
title, the Trial Magistrates and the Judges of the Circuit
Court may exercise any of their general criminal
jurisdiction.

237. Any adult over whom the Judge may have juris-
diction under Section 235 (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 exceed-
ing Five Hundred Dollars ($500. 00), or by imprisonment
not exceeding two years, or both 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.

238. 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 the regular
criminal procedure.

239. (Initiation of Proceedings. ) (a) 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.

(b) Any person may inform the court that a child is
within the purview of this sub-title, and thereupon the
Judge may have the Garrett County Welfare Board OR
THE DIVISION OF PAROLE AND PROBATION make
a preliminary investigation to determine whether the in-
terests of the child or of the public require that further
action be taken. The Judge may make such informal
adjustment as is practicable without petition. Any person
may file in writing under oath, a petition for a hearing
regarding any child. Such petition shall set forth the name