§ 5–101
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 5-101 (2026)
Title 5. Release
Subtitle 1. In General
§ 5–101LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section shall be liberally construed to carry out the purpose of relying on criminal sanctions instead of financial loss to ensure the appearance of a defendant in a criminal case before verdict or pending a new trial.
(b)
(1)
Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, if, from all the circumstances, the court believes that a minor or adult defendant in a criminal case will appear as required for trial before verdict or pending trial, the defendant may be released on personal recognizance.
(2)
A failure to appear as required by personal recognizance is subject to the penalties provided in § 5-211 of this title.
(c)
A defendant may not be released on personal recognizance if the defendant is charged with:
(1)
a crime listed in § 5–202(d) of this title after having been convicted of a crime listed in § 5–202(d) of this title; or
(2)
a crime punishable by life imprisonment without parole.