Marvin Mandel, Governor                         883

THE ACCUSED BE PLACED UNDER PERSONAL RECOGNI-
ZANCE, BAIL, BOND OR OTHER SECURITY FOR HIS APPEAR-
ANCE. EACH SUMMONS SHALL BE SIGNED BY THE PER-
SON ACCUSED, AND SHALL INCLUDE A STATEMENT OF
HIS PROMISE TO APPEAR FOR TRIAL AT THE TIME AND
PLACE SPECIFIED IN THE SUMMONS.

(II)    IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO VIOLATE
HIS WRITTEN PROMISE TO APPEAR IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE SUMMONS, BUT THE WRITTEN PROMISE TO APPEAR
MAY BE COMPLIED WITH THROUGH AN APPEARANCE BY
COUNSEL.

(III)    IF ANY PERSON FAILS TO APPEAR IN ACCORD-
ANCE WITH HIS PROMISE, A COMMISSIONER OR A JUDGE
OF THE DISTRICT COURT SHALL ISSUE A WARRANT FOR
THE ARREST OF THE PERSON.

(d) Every commissioner appointed under this section shall, be-
fore entering upon his duties, take and subscribe the oath prescribed
by the Constitution, and shall give bond to the State of Maryland in
such THE penalty amount or amounts as shall be fixed by the Comp-
troller of the State, and each of the bonds shall remain in force
during the tenure of office of the respective commissioners, shall have
corporate sureties satisfactory to the Comptroller, and the premiums
for the bonds shall be paid by the State.

156. Appeals.

(a)    An appeal from a judgment of the District Court in a crim-
inal, motor vehicle, or civil case shall be taken to the Circuit Court
in the County in which the judgment was rendered. If the case was
originally tried in Baltimore City, an appeal in a criminal or
motor vehicle TRAFFIC case shall be taken to the Criminal Court
of Baltimore and in a civil case to the Baltimore City Court. In any

case the court shall hear and decide the appeal on the record made

in the District Court. There shall be no right to a trial de novo in

the appellate court IN CIVIL CASES INVOLVING A CLAIM OF
LESS THAN FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS, IN CRIMINAL
CASES, AND IN TRAFFIC CASES, THERE SHALL BE A
TRIAL DE NOVO IN ALL APPEALS. HOWEVER, BY AGREE-
MENT OF THE PARTIES, THE APPEAL MAY BE HEARD
AND DECIDED ON THE RECORD MADE IN THE DISTRICT
COURT. IN ANY CIVIL CASE INVOLVING A CLAIM OF FIVE
HUNDRED DOLLARS OR MORE THE APPEAL SHALL BE
HEARD AND DECIDED ON THE RECORD MADE IN THE
DISTRICT COURT, [except a civil case involving a claim of one
thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or more there should be an absolute
right to a trial de novo. In any civil case involving a claim of one
thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or more the appeal should be heard and
decided on a transcript of the record made in the District Court. The
State pursuant to a rule adopted by the District Court shall provide
for the taking of testimony in civil cases involving a claim of one
thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or more]

(b) In a civil case, any party aggrieved by the judgement of the

District Court may take an appeal within thirty 930) days of final

disposition in the District Court. IN THE CASE OF AN APPEAL