<section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-101" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <text>In this title, “Commission” means the State Prosecutor Selection and Disabilities Commission.</text> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-102" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>There is an Office of the State Prosecutor.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Office of the State Prosecutor is an independent unit in the Office of the Attorney General.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>An individual is eligible to be the State Prosecutor only if the individual:</text> <level label="i"> <text>executes an affidavit that the individual will not accept appointment to, or be a candidate for, a State or local office during the period of service as the State Prosecutor and for at least 3 years immediately after the individual last serves as the State Prosecutor; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>has lawfully and actively practiced law in the State for at least 5 years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Prosecutor shall renew the affidavit every 2 years during the period of service.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A failure to renew the affidavit under this subsection shall subject the State Prosecutor to removal from office under this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Prosecutor shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>nominated by the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The term of the State Prosecutor is 6 years.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of a term, the State Prosecutor continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Only on the recommendation of the Commission, the Governor may remove the State Prosecutor for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>misconduct in office;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>persistent failure to perform the duties of the office; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The State Prosecutor is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget, but not less than the salary of a judge of a circuit court.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-103" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a State Prosecutor Selection and Disabilities Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Attorney General; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>six individuals appointed by the Governor as follows:</text> <level label="i"> <text>two individuals shall be appointed from a list of two or more nominees submitted by the President of the Senate:</text> <level label="1"> <text>only one of the individuals appointed shall be a lawyer; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>none of the nominees may be a member of the General Assembly or a full–time State employee;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>two individuals shall be appointed from a list of two or more nominees submitted by the Speaker of the House of Delegates:</text> <level label="1"> <text>only one of the individuals appointed shall be a lawyer; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>none of the nominees may be a member of the General Assembly or a full–time State employee;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>one individual who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall be appointed from a list of one or more nominees submitted by the Board of Governors of the Maryland State Bar Association; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is a lawyer admitted to practice law in the State; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>one individual who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall be appointed from a list of one or more nominees submitted by the governing board of the Maryland State’s Attorneys Association; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is a State’s Attorney at the time of appointment and throughout the individual’s term on the Commission.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Governor shall appoint the members of the Commission from the nominees submitted to the Governor under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Governor may reject an individual as a nominee only for cause.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the Governor rejects an individual as a nominee, the Governor shall request the appropriate nominating authority to submit another nominee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of an appointed member is 4 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of appointed members are staggered as required by the terms in effect for members on October 1, 2008.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An appointed member serves until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>An appointed member is eligible for reappointment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>From among the members, the Governor shall designate the chair of the Commission for the period that the Governor determines.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A vacancy that occurs on the Commission shall be filled by the Governor in the same manner as provided for appointments in this section.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A member of the Commission:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may not receive compensation for serving on the Commission; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-104" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>On notification by the Governor that a vacancy exists or is about to occur in the position of State Prosecutor, the Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>seek and review applications of proposed nominees;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>notify and request recommendations from the Maryland State Bar Association; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>seek recommendations from members of the Commission and interested citizens and groups.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>interview and evaluate each eligible applicant; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>nominate to the Governor, on a vote taken by secret ballot, one or more individuals whom a majority of the authorized membership of the Commission finds to be legally and professionally qualified.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission shall report, in writing, to the Governor the name of the individual or individuals it nominates within 70 days after notification that a vacancy exists or is about to occur.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Governor may reject a nominee for cause.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If a nominee is rejected for cause, the Commission shall submit another nominee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Governor rejects a nominee:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Governor shall send to the Commission a written statement that contains the reasons for the rejection; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a copy of the statement of rejection shall be furnished to the nominee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The statement shall be confidential and privileged, unless the privilege is deemed waived by the Commission by the acts of the nominee in presenting to the public the reason for the rejection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Commission may make the statement public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Governor shall exercise the power of appointment or rejection within 30 days after receipt of the Commission’s report.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-105" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission may reprimand or recommend to the Governor the removal of the State Prosecutor if, after a hearing, the Commission finds that the State Prosecutor is guilty of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>misconduct in office;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>persistent failure to perform the duties of the office; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the proceedings, testimony, and other evidence before the Commission are confidential and privileged.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On taking final action, the Commission may make its order and the proceedings, testimony, and other evidence public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>On complaint or on its own initiative, the Commission may investigate allegations against the State Prosecutor that may warrant removal or reprimand.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>conduct hearings;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>administer oaths and affirmations;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>issue process to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>require a person to testify and produce evidence by granting the person immunity from prosecution, penalty, or forfeiture.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-106" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <text>The State Prosecutor has the powers and duties established under §§ 14–107 through 14–111 of this title.</text> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-107" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State Prosecutor may investigate:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a criminal offense under the State election laws;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a criminal offense under the State Public Ethics Law;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a violation of the State bribery laws in which an official or employee of the State, a political subdivision of the State, or a bicounty or multicounty unit of the State was the offeror, offeree, or intended offeror or offeree of a bribe;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>an offense constituting criminal malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office committed by an officer or employee of the State, of a political subdivision of the State, or of a bicounty or multicounty unit of the State;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a violation of the State extortion, perjury, or obstruction of justice laws related to an activity described in this paragraph;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>a criminal offense related to voting in a municipal election under § 4–108.1 of the Local Government Article; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>a violation of § 3–708 of the Criminal Law Article if the violation was committed against a judge or judge–elect.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Prosecutor may not investigate an offense alleged to have been committed by the State Prosecutor or a member of the State Prosecutor’s staff.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State Prosecutor may investigate an alleged offense under paragraph (1) of this subsection on the State Prosecutor’s own initiative or on request of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Attorney General;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the General Assembly;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the State Ethics Commission; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a State’s Attorney.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>An individual who is advised by the State Prosecutor that the individual is under investigation under paragraph (1)(iv) of this subsection may release this information to the public, as well as any results of the investigation that pertain to the individual.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On request of the Governor, the Attorney General, the General Assembly, or a State’s Attorney, the State Prosecutor may investigate criminal activity that is committed:</text> <level label="1"> <text>partly in the State and partly in another jurisdiction; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in more than one political subdivision of the State.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-108" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the State Prosecutor finds that an alleged violation of the criminal law set forth in § 14–107 of this title has occurred, the State Prosecutor shall make a confidential report of the findings and any recommendations for prosecution to the Attorney General and the State’s Attorney for the county in which jurisdiction exists to prosecute the matter.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A report of the findings and recommendations regarding allegations of offenses committed by a State’s Attorney need not be made to that State’s Attorney.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the State Prosecutor finds that there has not been a violation of criminal law or the State Prosecutor does not recommend prosecution, the State Prosecutor shall report the findings to the person who requested the investigation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the General Assembly requested the investigation, the report shall be made to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On request of the person who was the subject of the investigation, the report shall be made available to the public as soon as possible.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-109" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Prosecutor may prosecute a criminal offense set forth in the State Prosecutor’s report of the findings and recommendations if, within 45 days after receipt of the report, the State’s Attorney fails to file charges and begin prosecution in accordance with the recommendations.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State Prosecutor may immediately prosecute a criminal offense that is set forth in the State Prosecutor’s report and that is alleged to have been committed by the State’s Attorney.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Prosecutor shall represent the State in each appeal and postconviction proceeding that arises from a prosecution that the State Prosecutor conducts.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Attorney General may represent the State or assist the State Prosecutor:</text> <level label="i"> <text>on the request of the State Prosecutor; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>as required by law in an appeal or collateral proceeding described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-110" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>The State Prosecutor has all the powers and duties of a State’s Attorney, including the use of a grand jury in any county, when the State Prosecutor:</text> <level label="1"> <text>investigates a case under § 14–107 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>prosecutes a case under § 14–109 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>For the limited purpose of furthering an ongoing criminal investigation under § 14–107 of this title, the State Prosecutor may issue a subpoena to a person to produce telephone, business, governmental, or corporate records or documents.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The subpoena may be served in the same manner as one issued by a circuit court.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may have an attorney present during any contact with the State Prosecutor made under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Prosecutor shall advise a person of the right to counsel when the subpoena is served.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The State Prosecutor immediately may report the failure of a person to obey a lawfully served subpoena under subsection (b) of this section to the circuit court of the county having jurisdiction.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The State Prosecutor shall provide a copy of the subpoena and proof of service to the circuit court.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After conducting a hearing at which the person who allegedly failed to comply with a subpoena issued under subsection (b) of this section has an opportunity to be heard and represented by counsel, the court may grant appropriate relief.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>This section does not allow the contravention, denial, or abrogation of a privilege or right recognized by law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-111" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <text>The trial of a case that the State Prosecutor prosecutes in accordance with § 14–109 of this title shall take place before the court having jurisdiction in the county in which the offense was entirely or partly committed, subject to removal in accordance with the Maryland Rules.</text> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-112" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>The budget of the State Prosecutor and the Office of the State Prosecutor shall be a part of the budget of the Office of the Attorney General.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Prosecutor may appoint and employ the professional, investigative, and clerical staff provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The State Prosecutor and the staff attorneys appointed by the State Prosecutor shall devote full time to their official duties and may not engage in the private practice of law.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>To the extent practicable, the State Prosecutor shall use the services and personnel of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Office of the Attorney General;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Department of State Police; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>other State and law enforcement units.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The units listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall cooperate, to the extent feasible, with the State Prosecutor and the State Prosecutor’s staff.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-113" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <text>The State Prosecutor shall meet and confer regularly with the Attorney General and the State’s Attorneys.</text> </section> <section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="14-114" title_number="14" title_name="Office of the State Prosecutor" subtitle_number="1"> <text>The State Prosecutor shall submit an annual report on activities of the Office of the State Prosecutor that are not confidential to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Attorney General; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> </section>