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2000 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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Ch. 339
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592A.
(A) IN THIS SECTION, THE WORDS "ACCESSORY BEFORE THE FACT AND
"PRINCIPAL" HAVE THEIR JUDICIALLY DETERMINED MEANINGS.
(B) EXCEPT FOR A SENTENCING PROCEEDING UNDER § 413 OF THIS ARTICLE:
(1) THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN AN ACCESSORY BEFORE THE FACT AND
A PRINCIPAL IS ABROGATED; AND
(2) AN ACCESSORY BEFORE THE FACT MAY BE CHARGED, TRIED AND
CONVICTED, AND SENTENCED AS A PRINCIPAL.
(C) AN ACCESSORY BEFORE THE FACT MAY BE CHARGED, TRIED AND
CONVICTED, AND SENTENCED FOR A CRIME REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A PRINCIPAL
IN THE CRIME HAS BEEN:
(1) CHARGED WITH THE CRIME;
(2) ACQUITTED OF THE CRIME; OR
(3) CONVICTED OF A LESSER OR DIFFERENT CRIME.
(D) IF A CRIME IS COMMITTED IN THE STATE, AN ACCESSORY BEFORE THE
FACT MAY BE CHARGED, TRIED AND CONVICTED, AND SENTENCED IN ANY COUNTY
WHERE:
(1) AN ACT OF ACCESSORYSHIP WAS COMMITTED; OR
(2) A PRINCIPAL IN THE CRIME MAY BE CHARGED, TRIED AND
CONVICTED, AND SENTENCED.
COMMITTEE NOTE (COMMITTEE TO REVISE ARTICLE 27): This section
abolishes the common law distinctions between an accessory before the fact and a
principal, with the exception of death penalty sentencing proceedings.
Subsection (b)(2) of this section which allows an accessory to be charged as a
principal alters the common law in this regard. See e.g., State v. Sowell, 353 Md. 713,
728 A.2d 712 (1999). Maryland Rule 4-241 allows a defendant to demand a bill of
particulars from the State. This rule is intended to provide the defendant with
sufficient information concerning the State's case in order that the defendant can
prepare a defense. The Committee to Revise Article 27 believes that use of this rule
along with any necessary judicial enforcement when the State fails to comply with the
rule will provide sufficient notice to a defendant of the State's case.
Subsection (c) of this section codifies current law in the State regarding trial of
an accessory without regard to any charges or judgments concerning a principal in
the crime. See e.g., Jones v. State, 302 Md. 153, 486 A.2d 184 (1985); Lewis v. State,
285 Md. 705, 404 A.2d 1073 (1979).
Subsection (d) of this section alters the common law rule that provided that an
accessory before the fact may only be tried in the jurisdiction where the act of
accessoryship (i.e., the aiding, counseling, commanding, or encouraging of the crime)
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- 2008 -
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