Ch. 183

2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

2-104.

(a)     Every auditor, clerk, sheriff, constable, commissioner, surveyor, or other
officer before he assumes the duties of his office, shall take and sign the oath or
affirmation prescribed by the Constitution.

(b)     Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, every deputy clerk or
sheriff shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: "I, A.B., do swear
(or affirm) that I will not for lucre or malice delay any person applying to me for any
business belonging to the office I officiate in, and that I will not directly or indirectly
ask, take, exact, demand, or receive from or charge to any such person to my own use
any fee or reward whatsoever for any services I may do as deputy of the said office,
and that in making out the office fees I will not wittingly or willingly charge other or
higher fees than are allowed by law."

(c)      (1) In addition to the oath or affirmation required under subsection (b) of
this section, in St. Mary's County, every deputy sheriff shall take and subscribe the
following oath or affirmation: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will bear
true faith and allegiance to the United States of America and to the State of
Maryland; that I will serve honestly and faithfully to uphold and defend the
Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Maryland; that I will
enforce the laws of St. Mary's County, and the State of Maryland; and that I will obey
the orders of the Sheriff and of my superior officers according to the rules and
regulations of the Sheriff's office, St. Mary's County and the State of Maryland."

(2) In addition to the oath or affirmation required under subsection (b) of
this section, in Charles County, every deputy sheriff shall take and subscribe the
following oath or affirmation: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will bear
true faith and allegiance to the United States of America and to the State of
Maryland; that I will serve honestly and faithfully to uphold and defend the
Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Maryland; that I will
enforce the laws of Charles County, and the State of Maryland; and that I will obey
the orders of the Sheriff and of my superior officers according to the rules and
regulations of the Sheriff's office, Charles County and the State of Maryland."

(d)     In Montgomery County AND WASHINGTON COUNTY, every deputy clerk or
sheriff shall take and sign the oath or affirmation prescribed by Article I, § 9 of the
Maryland Constitution.

(e)     (1) Except as authorized by Article I, § 10 of the Constitution, every
officer, except the clerk of the circuit court of a county or an appellate court, shall take
the oath before the clerk of the circuit court.

(2)     Except as provided in Article I, § 10 of the Constitution, the clerk of a
circuit court shall take the oath before a judge of the court.

(3)     The clerk of an appellate court shall take the oath before the
Governor.

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