<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gab" article_name="Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis" number="32-2614" title_number="32" title_name="Wicomico County" subtitle_number="26" subtitle_name="Enforcement">
  <level label="a">
    <text>A place where alcoholic beverages are sold in violation of this article or Title 5 of the Tax – General Article is a public nuisance.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>On conviction of the owner or operator of the place, the place may be closed and the public nuisance may be abated until a $2,000 bond is posted, payable to the State.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The bond shall be conditioned on the owner or operator:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>not selling alcoholic beverages in violation of this article; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>paying all fines, costs, and damages assessed against the owner.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>If a condition of the bond is violated, the county may bring action against the owner or operator for fines, costs, and damages.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>If a jury trial is requested or appeal is taken in a case in which a place is alleged to be a public nuisance, the place shall be closed until the defendant posts a $2,000 bond under the same conditions as those specified under subsection (b) of this section.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>A person who owns or operates a public nuisance as described in subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $200 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both.</text>
  </level>
</section>
