Whenever a grand or trial jury is needed, a jury commissioner shall: Summons qualified jurors in the number needed; and Have the summons served as the jury plan requires. A jury commissioner shall address mail to an individual’s usual business or resident address. 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.

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. An individual may be disqualified only on the basis of information provided on a juror questionnaire or during an interview or other competent evidence. To be excused, an individual shall show, on a juror questionnaire, during an interview, or by other competent evidence, that: Extreme inconvenience, public necessity, or undue hardship requires excusal; The individual is a breast–feeding mother; or 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. A jury judge or jury commissioner may, but is not required to, excuse an individual under paragraph (1)(ii) or (iii) of this subsection. An individual may be excused: Only for the period that the jury judge or jury commissioner considers necessary; and Not more than twice unless the jury judge finds that the individual has shown an extraordinary circumstance that requires an additional excuse. When the period set under this subsection expires, a jury commissioner again shall summon the individual for jury service. 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: The number of individuals requesting to be excused for jury duty under subsection (c)(1) of this section; and The number of individuals granted or denied an excusal under subsection (c)(1) of this section. The information reported under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be disaggregated by: Jurisdiction; The type of excusal requested under subsection (c)(1) of this section; and Whether the excusal request was granted or denied.

An individual may not be required to serve simultaneously: On more than 1 grand jury; or As both a grand and trial juror.

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. 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. An individual who is summoned for jury service may be struck from a particular jury only: In accordance with rule or other law, by a party on peremptory challenge; For good cause shown, by a trial judge on a challenge by a party; or Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, by a trial judge who finds that: The individual may be unable to render impartial jury service; The individual’s service likely would disrupt the proceeding; or The individual’s service may threaten the secrecy of a proceeding or otherwise affect the integrity of the jury deliberations adversely. A trial judge may not strike an individual under paragraph (2)(iii)3 of this subsection, unless the judge states on the record: Each reason for the strike; and A finding that the strike is warranted and not inconsistent with §§ 8–102(a) and (b) and 8–104 of this title. An individual struck under this subsection may serve on another jury for which the basis for the strike is irrelevant.

A trial judge may: Excuse a sworn juror temporarily; and Order the sworn juror to return: On a specific day; or On a date and at a time that the trial judge or jury commissioner directs.

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. 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. 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. 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. A movant who files a motion in accordance with this section is entitled to present relevant evidence in support of the motion, including: The testimony of the jury commissioner; and Relevant records, whether or not public, that the jury commissioner used. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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. A movant who files a motion in accordance with this section is entitled to present relevant evidence in support of the motion, including: The testimony of the jury commissioner; and Relevant records, whether or not public, that the jury commissioner used. 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: Stay the case pending selection of a grand jury in compliance with this title; or Dismiss the charging document. 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: Stay the case pending selection of a grand jury in compliance with this title; or Dismiss the charging document. 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. 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.

When sworn, a grand jury shall consist of 23 grand jurors plus additional alternate grand jurors as provided in the Maryland Rules. 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.

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.

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. An interpreter whom a jury judge approves may be present at a grand jury session as needed to provide services as an interpreter. This subsection applies only to a grand jury for Baltimore City. The State’s Attorney for Baltimore City or an assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City: At the request of a grand jury, may attend any of its sessions; but May not be present when the grand jury votes on an indictment or presentment.

Each grand juror shall take an oath in substantially the following form:

A court reporter ordered to take testimony given before a grand jury shall take and transcribe the testimony. 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. 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. 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. 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. Except on written order of the circuit court for a county after hearing the State’s Attorney for the county: 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 A court reporter may not: Allow any other governmental unit or person to read or have a copy of all or any part of the record; or Disclose wholly or partly the character of the contents of the record to any other governmental unit or person.

This section applies only to a grand jury for Baltimore City. 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. 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.

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. Each defendant is allowed 20 peremptory challenges. The State is allowed 10 peremptory challenges for each defendant. 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. Each defendant is allowed 10 peremptory challenges. The State is allowed five peremptory challenges for each defendant. In every other criminal trial, each party is allowed four peremptory challenges.

In a civil case in which a jury trial is allowed, the jury shall consist of six jurors. If the parties in a civil case agree, a trial judge may dispense with selecting an array of at least 14 qualified jurors. If the parties in a criminal case agree, a trial judge may dispense with selecting an array of at least 20 qualified jurors.

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.

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.

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: A State per diem of $30; and The supplement, if any, authorized by the county. A trial juror is entitled: For the first 5 days of jury service in one trial, to a State per diem of $30; and For each day of jury service in one trial in excess of 5 days, a State per diem of $50.

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. 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. 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.

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.

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.

Prospective, qualified, or sworn jurors may donate their per diem and supplement in accordance with a program that the jury plan authorizes.