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<section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="5-211" title_number="5" title_name="Release" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Pretrial Release">
  <level label="a">
    <text>If a person has been charged with a crime and admitted to bail or released on recognizance and the person forfeits the bail or recognizance and willfully fails to surrender, a bench warrant shall be issued for the person’s arrest.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>On issuing a bench warrant under subsection (a) of this section, a judge may also set a bond in the case.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>If a person against whom a bench warrant has been issued posts a bond that has been set by a judge under paragraph (1) of this subsection:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>a judicial officer shall mark the bench warrant satisfied; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the court shall reschedule the hearing or trial.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>A person who has been admitted to bail or released on recognizance in a criminal case in the State and who willfully fails to surrender within 30 days after the date of forfeiture is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both, if the bail or recognizance was given in connection with a charge of a felony or pending an appeal, certiorari, habeas corpus, or postconviction proceeding after conviction of any crime; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both, if the bail or recognizance was given in connection with a charge of a misdemeanor, or for appearance as a witness.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>This section does not diminish the power of a court to punish for contempt.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>A person who is prosecuted under subsection (c)(1) of this section is subject to § 5–106(b) of the Courts Article regarding the exemption from the statute of limitations for the institution of prosecution and the right of in banc review.</text>
  </level>
</section>
