<section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-101" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="a–1"> <text>“Active duty” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Breast–feeding mother” means a mother who is feeding her child breast milk, either directly from her breast or by expressing and bottle–feeding the child.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Jury commissioner” means an individual who is designated under a jury plan to manage jury selection and service.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Jury commissioner” includes an acting jury commissioner who is designated in accordance with a jury plan.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Jury plan” means a plan that the circuit court for a county adopts under this title to govern jury selection and service for the county.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Prospective juror” means an individual whose name is selected from a source pool but who has not yet been screened for disqualification, excusal, or exemption.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Qualified juror” means an individual who, after selection as a prospective juror, is not disqualified, excused, or exempted.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Source pool” means a pool from which the name of each prospective juror is to be selected as provided under a jury plan.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-102" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Each adult citizen of this State has:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The opportunity for jury service; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>When summoned for jury service, the duty to serve.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A citizen may not be excluded from jury service due to color, disability, economic status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Recommendations, if any, for jury service may not be accepted.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Volunteers for jury service shall be refused.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-103" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Notwithstanding § 8–102 of this subtitle, an individual qualifies for jury service for a county only if the individual:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is an adult as of the day selected as a prospective juror;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is a citizen of the United States; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Resides in the county as of the day sworn as a juror.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and subject to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, an individual is not qualified for jury service if the individual:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Cannot comprehend spoken English or speak English;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Cannot comprehend written English, read English, or write English proficiently enough to complete a juror qualification form satisfactorily;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Has a disability that, as documented by a health care provider’s certification, prevents the individual from providing satisfactory jury service;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Has been convicted, in a federal or State court of record, of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding 1 year and is currently serving the sentence imposed for the conviction, including a term of parole or probation; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A crime involving or relating to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Perjury;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Witness intimidation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Jury intimidation; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A crime under Title 8 of the Criminal Law Article; or</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Has a charge pending, in a federal or State court of record, for a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding 1 year.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-104" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>Each jury for a county shall be selected at random from a fair cross section of the adult citizens of this State who reside in the county.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-105" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>A custodian, as defined in § 4–101(d) of the General Provisions Article, may allow access to information about prospective, qualified, and sworn jurors only in accordance with rules that the Supreme Court of Maryland adopts.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The rules shall provide for access to, and copying of, information needed for a challenge under § 8–408 or § 8–409 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The rules shall provide for disclosure of information to the State Board of Elections as to individuals who have died, have moved, or are not citizens of the United States.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The rules shall provide for disclosure of information to the State Motor Vehicle Administration as needed to correct data that the Administration provides.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-106" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Nothing in this title restricts the inherent authority of a trial judge with regard to jurors.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as to a constitutional question, nothing in this title constitutes a ground for postconviction relief under Title 7 of the Criminal Procedure Article.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Nothing in this title bars a circuit court from using a single procedure for qualification and summonsing as its jury plan authorizes.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-201" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>Each circuit court shall have a written plan for jury selection and service in accordance with the requirements of this title.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-202" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>The Supreme Court of Maryland may adopt rules to govern the provisions and implementation of jury plans.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-203" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A circuit court may propose to the Supreme Court of Maryland a change to the circuit court’s jury plan at any time, by filing the proposal with the Supreme Court of Maryland.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Within 60 days after a circuit court files a proposal under this subsection, the Supreme Court of Maryland shall approve or disapprove the proposal.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A proposal approved under this subsection is effective:</text> <level label="i"> <text>61 days after a circuit court files the proposal; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any earlier date that the Supreme Court of Maryland sets.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Supreme Court of Maryland orders a circuit court to change its jury plan, the circuit court shall do so.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A change that the Supreme Court of Maryland orders is effective:</text> <level label="i"> <text>On the day the Court sets; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Not later than 90 days after the date of approval of the circuit court’s change.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-204" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <level label="a"> <text>Each jury plan shall designate a jury judge.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The jury judge for a circuit court shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The county administrative judge of the circuit court; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Another of the circuit court judges whom the county administrative judge designates.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-205" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <level label="a"> <text>Each jury plan shall designate a jury commissioner.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The jury commissioner for a circuit court shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The clerk of the circuit court; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Another individual designated in the manner set forth in the jury plan.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A jury plan may designate, or allow a jury judge to designate, an individual to serve as acting jury commissioner if the jury commissioner is temporarily unavailable or unable to perform duties.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The jury commissioner for a circuit court shall manage jury selection and service, under the control and supervision of the jury judge for the circuit court.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A jury commissioner, other than a clerk, is entitled to the compensation set by law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-206" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <level label="a"> <text>Each jury plan shall provide for a source pool solely from which the names of prospective jurors are to be selected.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The source pool under the jury plan for a county shall include the names of all of the adults on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A statewide voter registration list no older than that used in the most recent general election as to residents of the county;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A list of holders of driver’s licenses issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration to residents of the county; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A list of holders of identification cards issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration to residents of the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The source pool under the jury plan for a county may include any other list of residents of the county that the jury plan authorizes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Each jury plan shall detail procedures by which a jury commissioner is to have names selected from the most recent source pool.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Procedures under this subsection shall be designed to ensure each jury is selected in accordance with the requirements of this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-207" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <level label="a"> <text>Each jury plan shall set intervals for creation of a prospective juror pool and a qualified juror pool.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each jury plan shall set a minimum number of names to be selected from the source pool as prospective jurors.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The minimum number shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>At least 150; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, at least 0.5% of the total number of names in the source pool.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the minimum percentage under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection would be cumbersome and unnecessary, a jury plan may set a smaller number.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A jury judge for a county may order its jury commissioner to have additional names selected from the county’s source pool as the judge considers necessary.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-208" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>Each jury plan shall set the method by which summonses for jury service are to be served.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-209" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>Each jury plan shall set the method by which the names of qualified jurors are to be allocated between grand and trial juries.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-210" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>Each jury plan shall detail changes of information as to prospective, qualified, and sworn jurors about which a jury commissioner is to inform a jury judge.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-211" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>Each jury plan shall set the method by which a foreperson is to be chosen for a grand jury from among its members.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-212" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>The jury plan for a county may state any question, in addition to those required under § 8–302(a) of this title, to be included on the county’s juror qualification form, consistent with the interest of the sound administration of justice and not inconsistent with this title and other law.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-213" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>The jury plan of a circuit court may provide for an agreement between the circuit court and the Administrative Office of the Courts or a person, for the Administrative Office or person to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Provide the circuit court with names selected in the number that the jury plan sets;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Have juror questionnaire forms sent as the jury plan requires;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Have summonses sent as the jury plan requires; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Provide any other service as to jury selection and service.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-214" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>A jury plan may set a single procedure for qualification and summonsing for jury service.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-215" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>The jury plan for a county may enable its jury commissioner, subject to criteria set forth in the jury plan and under the overall supervision of the county’s jury judge, to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Disqualify prospective or qualified jurors for specific reasons stated in this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Excuse prospective or qualified jurors for specific reasons stated in this title;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Exempt prospective or qualified jurors for specific reasons stated in this title; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Reschedule jury service by prospective or qualified jurors for specific reasons stated in this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-216" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>A jury plan may provide that, notwithstanding the limit on frequency of trial jury service in § 8–310(c)(2) of this title, an individual who serves on a jury for fewer than 5 days in a 3–year period may be summoned for jury service after 1 year.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-217" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Jury Plan"> <text>A jury plan may create a program for donation of State per diems and county supplements by prospective, qualified, or sworn jurors.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-301" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Prospective and Qualified Jurors"> <level label="a"> <text>At each interval set in a jury plan for a county, its jury commissioner shall have names selected from the source pool in the number that the jury commissioner decides will satisfy the needs for jury service for the interval.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Names selected under this section constitute a prospective juror pool.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-302" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Prospective and Qualified Jurors"> <level label="a"> <text>In accordance with an agreement, if any, under § 8–213 of this title, a juror qualification form in substantially the following form shall be provided to each prospective juror:</text> <text>Juror Qualification Form</text> <text>Name:</text> <text>Resident address:</text> <text>Telephone: (home) _________ (work) _________ (cellular) _______</text> <text>Age: _____ Date of Birth:__________</text> <text>If you are over 70 years of age, do you wish to be exempted from jury services? _____Yes _____No</text> </level> <level label="U"> <level label="S"> <text>Citizen? _____Yes _____No</text> <text>Able to comprehend, read, speak, and write English? _____Yes _____No</text> <text>Highest level of education completed:</text> <text>___ high school ___ college ___ graduate school ___ other</text> <text>Occupation of prospective juror: __________</text> <text>Name of employer: ___________</text> <text>Occupation of spouse, if any: __________</text> <text>Disability preventing satisfactory jury service? _____Yes _____No</text> <text>Do you want an accommodation under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act? _____Yes _____No</text> <text>Pending charge for a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding 1 year? _____Yes _____No</text> <text>Conviction of crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding 1 year and received a sentence of imprisonment for more than 1 year and not legally pardoned? _____Yes _____No</text> <text>Date of Conviction __________</text> <text>_____Elected official of the federal Legislative Branch, as defined in 2 U.S.C. § 30a.</text> <text>_____Active duty member of armed forces, as defined in § 9–901 of the State Government Article, exempted in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 982.</text> <text>_____Active duty member of the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, exempted in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 982, as made applicable by 33 U.S.C. § 307(a)(6).</text> <text>_____Member of Maryland’s organized militia exempted in accordance with Public Safety Article § 13–218.</text> <text>Prior jury service within 3 preceding years: __________</text> <text>Form completed by me _____ Another (name) _____ and, if another, why?</text> <text>Under the penalties of perjury, the responses are true to the best of my knowledge</text> <text>Signed:________________________________________________</text> <text>Prospective Juror</text> <text>Individual completing form for prospective juror:</text> <text>This form must be completed, signed, and returned to the jury commissioner within 10 days after receipt. Documentation for excusal due to disability, exemption based on armed forces or militia service, pardons, and/or prior jury service must be attached.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A juror qualification form for a county may include other questions as the county’s jury plan requires.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-303" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Prospective and Qualified Jurors"> <text>Whenever it seems to a jury commissioner that there is an ambiguity, error, or omission in a person’s juror qualification form, the jury commissioner shall return the form to the person, with instructions to make each needed addition and other change, acknowledge all of the changes, and return the form to the jury commissioner within 10 days after receipt.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-304" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Prospective and Qualified Jurors"> <level label="a"> <text>Whenever a person fails to return a completed juror qualification form as instructed, a jury commissioner may summons the person to appear before the jury commissioner or jury judge.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Whenever a person appears under this section, a jury commissioner or jury judge:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May require the person to complete, sign, and acknowledge a juror qualification form in the presence of the jury commissioner; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If, at that time, it seems to the jury commissioner or jury judge to be warranted, may question the person but only as to responses to questions in the form and grounds for disqualification, excusal, exemption, or rescheduling.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-305" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Prospective and Qualified Jurors"> <text>Whenever a person appears for jury service, a jury commissioner or jury judge:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May require the person to complete, sign, and acknowledge a juror qualification form in the presence of the jury commissioner; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If, at that time, it seems to the jury commissioner or jury judge to be warranted, may question the person but only as to responses to questions in the form and grounds for disqualification, excusal, exemption, or rescheduling.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-306" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Prospective and Qualified Jurors"> <text>An individual is exempt from jury service only if the individual:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is at least 70 years old and asks the jury commissioner, in writing, for an exemption;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is an elected official of the federal Legislative Branch, as defined in 2 U.S.C. § 30a;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Is an active duty member of the armed forces exempted in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 982; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Is a member of the organized militia exempted in accordance with § 13-218 of the Public Safety Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-309" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Prospective and Qualified Jurors"> <text>An individual who is not disqualified, excused, or exempted under Part I of this subtitle is a qualified juror.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-310" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Prospective and Qualified Jurors"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>At each interval set in a jury plan for a county, its jury commissioner shall have names of qualified jurors selected in the number that the jury commissioner decides will satisfy the needs for jury service during the interval.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to § 8-421 of this title, a jury commissioner shall have enough names selected to allow parties to make peremptory challenges as allowed under this title or otherwise provided in the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Names selected under this section constitute a qualified juror pool.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a jury commissioner shall allocate names from the qualified juror pool to grand and trial juries as the jury plan provides.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as needed to complete service in a particular case or as otherwise provided in a jury plan, an individual may not be required, in any 3–year period, to serve or attend court for jury service more than once.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-311" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Prospective and Qualified Jurors"> <text>At the request of a trial judge, a jury commissioner may distribute to qualified jurors a questionnaire with regard to any matter, including a conviction or pending civil jury trial that may be a basis for disqualification as a juror in a particular case.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-314" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Prospective and Qualified Jurors"> <level label="a"> <text>A jury commissioner shall document each addition or other change to information provided under this subtitle and each decision with regard to disqualification, exemption, or excusal from, or rescheduling of, jury service.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The jury commissioner of a county shall inform its jury judge of changes to information as provided in the county’s jury plan.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The jury commissioner of a county shall keep each record that the jury commissioner has used in connection with the jury service in accordance with the records retention and disposal schedule of the county.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-401" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>Whenever a grand or trial jury is needed, a jury commissioner shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Summons qualified jurors in the number needed; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Have the summons served as the jury plan requires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A jury commissioner shall address mail to an individual’s usual business or resident address.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A summons sent to an individual with a juror qualification form shall instruct the individual to report for jury service unless a jury commissioner instructs otherwise.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-402" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the requirements of this section, a jury judge or, if a county’s jury plan allows, its jury commissioner may disqualify, excuse, or exempt an individual who is summoned for jury service or reschedule jury service.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An individual may be disqualified only on the basis of information provided on a juror questionnaire or during an interview or other competent evidence.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>To be excused, an individual shall show, on a juror questionnaire, during an interview, or by other competent evidence, that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Extreme inconvenience, public necessity, or undue hardship requires excusal;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The individual is a breast–feeding mother; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The individual has legal custody of and is personally responsible for a child under the age of 3 years requiring continuous care by the individual during normal court hours.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A jury judge or jury commissioner may, but is not required to, excuse an individual under paragraph (1)(ii) or (iii) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An individual may be excused:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Only for the period that the jury judge or jury commissioner considers necessary; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Not more than twice unless the jury judge finds that the individual has shown an extraordinary circumstance that requires an additional excuse.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>When the period set under this subsection expires, a jury commissioner again shall summon the individual for jury service.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before December 31, 2025, and each December 31 thereafter, the Maryland Judiciary shall collect and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, report to the General Assembly the following information for the preceding calendar year:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The number of individuals requesting to be excused for jury duty under subsection (c)(1) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The number of individuals granted or denied an excusal under subsection (c)(1) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The information reported under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be disaggregated by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Jurisdiction;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The type of excusal requested under subsection (c)(1) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Whether the excusal request was granted or denied.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-403" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <text>An individual may not be required to serve simultaneously:</text> <level label="1"> <text>On more than 1 grand jury; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>As both a grand and trial juror.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-404" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>Notwithstanding § 8–103(a) of this title, a trial judge may strike an individual who is party in a civil case while the individual is entitled to a jury trial in the county.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Whenever more individuals than are needed to impanel a jury have been summoned, an individual may be excused but only in accordance with rule or other law.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An individual who is summoned for jury service may be struck from a particular jury only:</text> <level label="i"> <text>In accordance with rule or other law, by a party on peremptory challenge;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For good cause shown, by a trial judge on a challenge by a party; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, by a trial judge who finds that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The individual may be unable to render impartial jury service;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The individual’s service likely would disrupt the proceeding; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The individual’s service may threaten the secrecy of a proceeding or otherwise affect the integrity of the jury deliberations adversely.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A trial judge may not strike an individual under paragraph (2)(iii)3 of this subsection, unless the judge states on the record:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Each reason for the strike; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A finding that the strike is warranted and not inconsistent with §§ 8–102(a) and (b) and 8–104 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>An individual struck under this subsection may serve on another jury for which the basis for the strike is irrelevant.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-405" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <text>A trial judge may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Excuse a sworn juror temporarily; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Order the sworn juror to return:</text> <level label="i"> <text>On a specific day; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>On a date and at a time that the trial judge or jury commissioner directs.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-408" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>This section sets forth the exclusive procedure by which a party in a civil case may challenge a jury on the ground that the jury was not summoned or otherwise selected in compliance with this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Before examination begins in a civil case or, for good cause shown, after a jury is sworn but before it receives evidence, a party may move to stay the case on the ground of substantial failure to comply with a provision of this title in selecting the trial jury.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A motion under this section shall contain a sworn statement of facts that, if true, would constitute a substantial failure to comply with this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>On a showing that a party needs access to a record to prepare for a hearing on a motion pending under this section, a trial judge may allow the party to inspect and copy the record as needed to prepare.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A movant who files a motion in accordance with this section is entitled to present relevant evidence in support of the motion, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The testimony of the jury commissioner; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Relevant records, whether or not public, that the jury commissioner used.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>If a trial judge finds a substantial failure to comply with § 8-102(b) of this title in selecting a trial jury, the trial judge shall stay the case pending selection of a trial jury in compliance with this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a trial judge finds a substantial failure to comply with a provision other than § 8-102(b) of this title in selecting a trial jury and the failure is likely to be prejudicial to the movant, the trial judge shall stay the proceeding pending selection of a trial jury in compliance with this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-409" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>This section sets forth the exclusive procedure by which a party in a criminal case may challenge a jury on the ground that the jury was not summoned or otherwise selected in compliance with this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Before examination begins in a criminal case or, for good cause shown, after a jury is sworn but before it receives evidence, a party may move to dismiss a charging document or stay the case on the ground of substantial failure to comply with a provision of this title in selecting the grand or trial jury.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A motion under this section shall contain a sworn statement of facts that, if true, would constitute a substantial failure to comply with this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>On a showing that a party needs access to a record to prepare for a hearing on a motion pending under this section, a trial judge may allow the party to inspect and copy a record as needed to prepare.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A movant who files a motion in accordance with this section is entitled to present relevant evidence in support of the motion, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The testimony of the jury commissioner; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Relevant records, whether or not public, that the jury commissioner used.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>If a trial judge finds a substantial failure to comply with § 8-102(b) of this title in selecting a grand jury, the judge shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Stay the case pending selection of a grand jury in compliance with this title; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Dismiss the charging document.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a trial judge finds a substantial failure to comply with a provision other than § 8-102(b) of this title in selecting a grand jury and finds the failure likely to be prejudicial to the movant, the judge shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Stay the case pending selection of a grand jury in compliance with this title; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Dismiss the charging document.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>If a trial judge finds a substantial failure to comply with § 8-102(b) of this title in selecting a trial jury, the trial judge shall stay the case pending selection of a trial jury in compliance with this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a trial judge finds a substantial failure to comply with a provision other than § 8-102(b) of this title in selecting a trial jury and the failure is likely to be prejudicial to the movant, the trial judge shall stay the proceeding pending selection of a trial jury in compliance with this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-412" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>When sworn, a grand jury shall consist of 23 grand jurors plus additional alternate grand jurors as provided in the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The failure of a grand juror to serve for the entire period of service does not invalidate the grand jury or any of its actions.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-413" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <text>In addition to any grand jury that a jury plan for a county requires for a set period, on petition of a State’s Attorney, the county administrative judge may summons one or more grand juries.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-414" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>A court reporter whom a jury judge orders under § 2-503 of this article to record testimony before a grand jury may be present at its sessions.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An interpreter whom a jury judge approves may be present at a grand jury session as needed to provide services as an interpreter.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to a grand jury for Baltimore City.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State’s Attorney for Baltimore City or an assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City:</text> <level label="i"> <text>At the request of a grand jury, may attend any of its sessions; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>May not be present when the grand jury votes on an indictment or presentment.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-415" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>Each grand juror shall take an oath in substantially the following form:</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-416" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>A court reporter ordered to take testimony given before a grand jury shall take and transcribe the testimony.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A court reporter shall provide, as requested, a transcript of testimony given before a grand jury for a county to the grand jury and State’s Attorney for the county.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each transcript of testimony given before a grand jury for a county shall be kept in the custody of the State’s Attorney for the county.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Unless the circuit court for a county orders otherwise after hearing the State’s Attorney for the county, neither the original nor a copy of the transcript of testimony given before a grand jury may be taken from the office of the State’s Attorney for the county, other than for use of the grand jury or for production in court.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>On written order of the circuit court for a county, granted on written motion of the State’s Attorney for the county, the State’s Attorney may have the notes as to, and transcript of, grand jury testimony destroyed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except on written order of the circuit court for a county after hearing the State’s Attorney for the county:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A record of testimony given before a grand jury is for the exclusive use and benefit of the grand jury and the State’s Attorney; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A court reporter may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Allow any other governmental unit or person to read or have a copy of all or any part of the record; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Disclose wholly or partly the character of the contents of the record to any other governmental unit or person.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-417" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to a grand jury for Baltimore City.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In addition to any other duty imposed by law, each grand jury shall carry out an investigation if a judge of the circuit court directs.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>At the end of the period for which a grand jury sits, the grand jury shall submit to the jury commissioner of the circuit court a report on each of its investigations and recommendations.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-420" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only in a criminal trial in which a defendant is subject, on any single count, to a sentence of life imprisonment, excluding a common law offense for which no specific statutory penalty is provided.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each defendant is allowed 20 peremptory challenges.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State is allowed 10 peremptory challenges for each defendant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only in a criminal trial in which a defendant is subject, on any single count, to a sentence of at least 20 years, excluding a case subject to subsection (a) of this section or a common law offense for which no specific statutory penalty is provided.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each defendant is allowed 10 peremptory challenges.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State is allowed five peremptory challenges for each defendant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In every other criminal trial, each party is allowed four peremptory challenges.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-421" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>In a civil case in which a jury trial is allowed, the jury shall consist of six jurors.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the parties in a civil case agree, a trial judge may dispense with selecting an array of at least 14 qualified jurors.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the parties in a criminal case agree, a trial judge may dispense with selecting an array of at least 20 qualified jurors.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-422" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <text>At any time before or after submission of a case to a jury, a trial judge may allow the jury to separate or be sequestered.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-425" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <text>In this Part V of this subtitle, “per diem” means the amount to be paid for all of the time from midnight through a 24-hour period for which a circuit court requires a prospective, qualified, or sworn juror to be in attendance at or in proximity to the circuit court.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-426" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, an individual is entitled, for each day that an individual is required to be in attendance at or proximity to a circuit court for a county for jury service, to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A State per diem of $30; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The supplement, if any, authorized by the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A trial juror is entitled:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For the first 5 days of jury service in one trial, to a State per diem of $30; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For each day of jury service in one trial in excess of 5 days, a State per diem of $50.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-427" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the government of each county may set, by ordinance, an amount to supplement the State per diem and, for each fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless, by ordinance, a county government increases or decreases the supplement, the amount shall be enough to keep a total State per diem and county supplement equal to the county per diem as of June 30, 2001.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The government of each county shall levy and appropriate for each fiscal year the amount needed to pay the State per diem, pending reimbursement by the Administrative Office of the Courts, and the county supplement, if any.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-428" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <text>The State budget for the Judicial Branch for each fiscal year shall include an appropriation to the Administrative Office of the Courts in the amount needed for the State per diem during the year.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-429" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <text>The jury commissioner of a circuit court shall issue to each prospective, qualified, and sworn juror a signed certificate that documents the number of days that the juror has been required to be in attendance at or proximity to the circuit court for jury service.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-430" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Juries"> <text>Prospective, qualified, or sworn jurors may donate their per diem and supplement in accordance with a program that the jury plan authorizes.</text> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-501" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>An employer may not deprive an individual of employment or coerce, intimidate, or threaten to discharge an individual because the individual:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Loses employment time in responding to a summons under this title or attending, or being in proximity to, a circuit court for jury service under this title; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Exercises a right to refrain from work under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An employer may not require an individual who is summoned and appears for jury service for 4 or more hours, including traveling time, to work an employment shift that begins:</text> <level label="1"> <text>On or after 5 p.m. on the day of the individual’s appearance for jury service; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before 3 a.m. on the day following the individual’s appearance for jury service.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this section is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-502" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>An employer may not require an employee to use the employee’s annual, sick, or vacation leave to respond to a summons under this title for jury service.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this section is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-503" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>A person who is summoned for jury service under this title may not fail to return a completed juror qualification form.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A jury judge may order a person who violates any provision of this section to appear and show cause for each violation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who fails to show good cause for a violation of this section is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-504" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not fail to appear for jury service as summoned under this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A jury judge may order a person who violates any provision of this section to appear and show cause for each violation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who fails to show good cause for a violation of this section is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 60 days or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-505" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>A person who is summoned for jury service under this title may not fail to complete jury service as directed.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A jury judge may order a person who violates any provision of this section to appear and show cause for each violation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who fails to show good cause for a violation of this section is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-506" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not willfully misrepresent a material fact on a juror qualification form for the purpose of avoiding or obtaining service as a juror under this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="8-507" title_number="8" title_name="Juries and Jurors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not disclose any content of a grand jury proceeding.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This section does not prevent:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A grand jury from submitting a report as required by law; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any other governmental unit or person making a disclosure authorized by law.</text> </level> </level> </section>