ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                           H.B. 862

vetoed House Bill 862 - Criminal Procedure - Counterfeiting of Orders for Money or
Goods - Concurrent Jurisdiction of Trial Courts.

Under current law a felony must be charged and tried in a circuit court unless there
is an explicit provision granting the District Court concurrent jurisdiction over the
matter. Counterfeiting orders for money or goods is a felony with a penalty of not less
than 2 and not more than 10 years' imprisonment. This bill would grant the District
Court jurisdiction over these cases.

Senate Bill 400, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me,
accomplishes the same purpose. SB 400 is a broader bill and provides that the District
Court and circuit courts have concurrent jurisdiction in all felony and misdemeanor
cases involving counterfeiting, forgery, and credit card offenses. Therefore, it is not
necessary for me to sign House Bill 862.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Governor

House Bill No. 862

AN ACT concerning

Criminal Procedure - Counterfeiting, Forgery, and Credit Card Offenses of
Orders for Money or Goods - Concurrent Jurisdiction of Trial Courts

FOR the purpose of providing that the District Court has jurisdiction that is
concurrent with a circuit court in criminal cases involving counterfeiting,
forgery, and certain credit card crimes of orders for money or goods under
certain circumstances; and generally relating to the criminal jurisdiction of the
District Court and circuit courts.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Section 4-301(b)(8)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2002 Replacement Volume)

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Section 4-302(a) and (d)(1)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2002 Replacement Volume)

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

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

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