CHAPTER 497
(House Bill 1166)

AN ACT concerning

Criminal Procedure - Release Pretrial

FOR the purpose of authorizing a court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of a
defendant charged with a criminal offense who violates a condition of release
pretrial, including a condition imposed by a pretrial release agency; authorizing
a court to take certain actions against certain defendants; and generally relating
to release pretrial.

BY adding to

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 616 1/2(n)
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

616 1/2.

(N) (1) A COURT MAY ISSUE A BENCH WARRANT FOR THE ARREST OF A
DEFENDANT CHARGED WITH A CRIMINAL OFFENSE WHO VIOLATES A CONDITION OF
RELEASE PRETRIAL, INCLUDING A CONDITION IMPOSED BY A PRETRIAL RELEASE
AGENCY.

(2) AFTER A DEFENDANT IS PRESENTED BEFORE A COURT, THE COURT

MAY:

(I) REVOKE THE DEFENDANTS RELEASE PRETRIAL; OR

(II) CONTINUE THE DEFENDANT'S RELEASE PRETRIAL WITH OR
WITHOUT CONDITIONS.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1999.

Approved May 13, 1999.