# Criminal Procedure (GCP)

## Title 4. Pretrial Procedures

### Subtitle 2. Venue and Other Procedural Matters

#### Section 4-204

(a) In this section, the words "accessory before the fact" and "principal" have their judicially determined meanings.

(b) Except for a sentencing proceeding under Sec. 2-304 of the Criminal Law Article:

  (1) the distinction between an accessory before the fact and a principal is abrogated; and

  (2) an accessory before the fact may be charged, tried, convicted, and sentenced as a principal.

(c) An accessory before the fact may be charged, tried, convicted, and sentenced for a crime regardless of whether a principal in the crime has been:

  (1) charged with the crime;

  (2) acquitted of the crime; or

  (3) convicted of a lesser or different crime.

(d) If a crime is committed in the State, an accessory before the fact may be charged, tried and convicted, and sentenced in a county where:

  (1) an act of accessoryship was committed; or

  (2) a principal in the crime may be charged, tried and convicted, and sentenced.

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Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)