54                                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                                [Ch. 2

(A)   COURT MAY ORDER RETURN FILED.

IF A SHERIFF FAILS TO FILE A RETURN WITHIN THE
TIME SET BY THE COURT OR BY RULE, THE COURT, ON
MOTION, SHALL ORDER HIM TO DO SO.

(B)   ORIGINAL WRIT.

IF A SHERIFF FAILS TO FILE A RETURN ON     AN

ORIGINAL WRIT WITHIN THE TIME SET BY THE COURT,   THE

COURT SHALL AMERCE THE SHERIFF FOR THE BENEFIT OF     THE

PLAINTIFF IN THE AMOUNT OF THE DEBT OR DAMAGES   AND

COSTS DOE FROM THE DEFENDANT, ASCERTAINED FROM      THE

OATH OF THE PLAINTIFF AND OTHER PROOF REQUIRED BY   THE
COURT.

(C)   CONTEMPT.

IF A SHERIFF FAILS TO FILE A RETURN ON A WRIT
MAILED TO HIM FOR SERVICE IN HIS COUNTY, THE COURT
THAT ISSUED THE WRIT MAY CITE HIM FOR CONTEMPT, AND
MAY TINE THE SHERIFF NOT MORE THAN $50.

(D)   WRIT OF EXECUTION.

IF A SHERIFF FAILS TO FILE A RETURN ON A   WRIT OF

EXECUTION OR ATTACHMENT WITHIN THE TIME SET      BY THE

COURT, THE COURT MAY AMERCE THE SHERIFF,    FOR THE

BENEFIT OF THE PLAINTIFF, IN THE AMOUNT      OF THE
JUDGMENT STATED IN THE WRIT.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language
derived from Art. 87, §§ 10, 11, 16, and 20
which are proposed for repeal. These
sections provide for amercing the sheriff
if he fails to serve or file a return on a
process or other paper.

An amercement is essentially a civil
penalty recovered in the name of the State,
but for the benefit of a private person.

There is no exact     synonym for amerce

although "mulct"        could probably be

substituted without     entailing a major
change.

SEC. 2-305. FAILURE TO BRING PERSON INTO COURT.
(A) HABEAS CORPUS.