# Criminal Procedure (GCP)

## Title 8. Other Postconviction Review

### Subtitle 1. In General

#### Section 8-101

(a) In this subtitle the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Review panel" means a group of three or more circuit court judges who conduct a review proceeding in connection with an application for a review of a sentence under this subtitle.

(c) "Sentencing court" means the court in which the sentencing judge imposed the sentence or required that a sentence that was wholly or partly suspended be served.

(d) "Sentencing judge" means the judge who imposed a sentence or who required that a sentence that was wholly or partly suspended be served.

#### Section 8-102

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person convicted of a crime by a circuit court and sentenced to serve a sentence that exceeds 2 years in a correctional facility is entitled to a single sentence review by a review panel.

(b) A person is not entitled:

  (1) to a sentence review if the sentence was imposed by more than one circuit court judge; or

  (2) to a review of an order requiring a suspended part of a sentence to be served if:

    (i) the sentence originally was wholly or partly suspended;

    (ii) the sentence was reviewed; and

    (iii) the suspended sentence or suspended part of that sentence later was required to be served.

(c) For purposes of this subtitle, a sentence that exceeds 2 years is a sentence in which the total period of the sentence and any unserved time of a prior or simultaneous sentence exceeds 2 years, including:

  (1) a sentence imposed by a circuit court;

  (2) a requirement by a circuit court that all or part of a suspended sentence be served; and

  (3) a prior or simultaneous sentence, suspended or not suspended, that has been imposed by a court or other authority of the State or of another jurisdiction.

#### Section 8-103

(a) A person entitled to file an application for a sentence review under this subtitle has the right to be represented by counsel:

  (1) to determine whether to seek a sentence review; and

  (2) to file an application for a sentence review.

(b) The counsel representing a person for a sentence review may be:

  (1) retained by a person who is entitled to file an application for review under this subtitle;

  (2) appointed by the sentencing judge; or

  (3) provided under Title 16 of this article.

#### Section 8-104

(a) The filing of an application for sentence review under this subtitle does not:

  (1) stay the execution of the sentence;

  (2) affect the time allowed to file an appeal or a motion for a new trial; or

  (3) affect the power of the sentencing judge to change the sentence to the extent allowed by the Maryland Rules.

(b) After an application is filed, the sentencing judge may grant a stay of the execution of the sentence pending a decision under this subtitle.

#### Section 8-105

(a) A review panel consists of three or more circuit court judges of the judicial circuit in which the sentencing court is located.

(b) Notwithstanding any Maryland Rule, the sentencing judge may not be a member of the review panel, but on request of the sentencing judge, the sentencing judge may sit with the review panel only in an advisory capacity.

(c)

  (1) A review panel shall consider each application for review of a sentence.

  (2) A review panel may require the Division of Parole and Probation to make investigations, reports, and recommendations.

  (3) A review panel:

    (i) with or without a hearing, may decide that the sentence under review should remain unchanged; or

    (ii) after a hearing, may order a different sentence to be imposed or served, including:

      (1) an increased sentence;

      (2) subject to Sec. 8-107(c) of this subtitle, a decreased sentence;

      (3) a suspended sentence to be served wholly or partly; or

      (4) a sentence to be suspended with or without probation.

  (4) In deciding to order a different sentence, the review panel may impose conditions that the review panel considers just and that could have been imposed lawfully by the sentencing court when the sentence was imposed.

(d) If the review panel orders a different sentence, the review panel shall resentence and notify the defendant in accordance with the order of the panel.

#### Section 8-106

(a) A review panel may increase, modify, or reduce a sentence only after notice to each party and notice to any victim or victim's representative as provided under Sec. 11-104 or Sec. 11-503 of this article.

(b) Before changing a sentence, a review panel shall allow:

  (1) each party to be heard at the hearing; and

  (2) the victim or victim's representative to attend the hearing, as provided by Sec. 11-102 of this article, and to address the review panel, as provided by Sec. 11-403 of this article.

#### Section 8-107

(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a majority of the members of the review panel is necessary to make a decision.

(b) The review panel shall make the decision within 30 days after the filing date of the application for review.

(c) A review panel may not order a decrease in a mandatory minimum sentence unless the decision of the review panel is unanimous.

(d) A review panel shall consider time served on the sentence under review to be time served on any sentence that is substituted.

#### Section 8-109

The Supreme Court of Maryland shall adopt rules to carry out this subtitle.

#### Section 8-110

(a) This section applies only to an individual who:

  (1)

    (i) was convicted as an adult for an offense committed when the individual was a minor; and

    (ii) has been imprisoned for at least 20 years for the offense; or

  (2)

    (i) was convicted of an offense committed when the individual was at least 18 years old but younger than 25 years old;

    (ii) was not sentenced to life without the possibility of parole;

    (iii) is not a sex offender, as defined in Sec. 11-701 of this article;

    (iv) has been imprisoned for at least 20 years for the offense; and

    (v) was not convicted of murder involving a victim who was a first responder, as defined in Sec. 18-213.2 of the Health - General Article, who was killed in the line of duty.

(b)

  (1) An individual described in subsection (a) of this section may file a motion with the court to reduce the duration of the sentence.

  (2) A court shall conduct a hearing on a motion to reduce the duration of a sentence.

  (3)

    (i) The individual shall be present at the hearing, unless the individual waives the right to be present.

    (ii) The requirement that the individual be present at the hearing is satisfied if the hearing is conducted by video conference.

  (4)

    (i) The individual may introduce evidence in support of the motion at the hearing.

    (ii) The State may introduce evidence in support of or in opposition to the motion at the hearing.

  (5)

    (i) Notice of the hearing under this subsection shall be given to the victim or the victim's representative as provided in Sec.Sec. 11-104 and 11-503 of this article.

    (ii) A victim or victim's representative may submit a victim impact statement to the court regarding the impact of the crime and the proposed sentence reduction.

    (iii) A victim may not be cross-examined when presenting a victim impact statement under this section.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after a hearing under subsection (b) of this section, the court may reduce the duration of the sentence if the court determines that:

  (1) the individual is not a danger to the public; and

  (2) the interests of justice will be better served by a reduced sentence.

(d) A court shall consider the following factors when determining whether to reduce the duration of a sentence under this section:

  (1) the individual's age at the time of the offense;

  (2) the nature of the offense and the history and characteristics of the individual;

  (3) whether the individual has substantially complied with the rules of the institution in which the individual has been confined;

  (4) whether the individual has completed an educational, vocational, or other program;

  (5) whether the individual has demonstrated maturity, rehabilitation, and fitness to reenter society sufficient to justify a sentence reduction;

  (6) any statement offered by a victim or a victim's representative;

  (7) any report of a physical, mental, or behavioral examination of the individual conducted by a health professional;

  (8) the individual's family and community circumstances at the time of the offense, including any history of trauma, abuse, or involvement in the child welfare system;

  (9) the extent of the individual's role in the offense and, if the individual was a minor at the time of the offense, whether and to what extent an adult was involved in the offense;

  (10) the diminished culpability of a juvenile as compared to an adult, including an inability to fully appreciate risks and consequences, if applicable; and

  (11) any other factor the court deems relevant.

(e)

  (1) The court shall issue its decision to grant or deny a motion to reduce the duration of a sentence in writing.

  (2) The decision shall address the factors listed in subsection (d) of this section.

  (3)

    (i) The court shall order an individual to stay away from and refrain from contact with a victim and victim's family if the individual is released, unless the victim requests otherwise.

    (ii) The court may impose any other conditions of release necessary to promote victim safety and peace of mind.

(f)

  (1) If the court denies or grants, in part, a motion to reduce the duration of a sentence under this section, the individual may not file a second motion to reduce the duration of that sentence for at least 3 years.

  (2) If the court denies or grants, in part, a second motion to reduce the duration of a sentence, the individual may not file a third motion to reduce the duration of that sentence for at least 3 years.

  (3) With regard to any specific sentence, an individual may not file a fourth motion to reduce the duration of the sentence.

### Subtitle 2. Dna Evidence -- Postconviction Review

#### Section 8-201

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "Biological evidence" includes, but is not limited to, any blood, hair, saliva, semen, epithelial cells, buccal cells, or other bodily substances from which genetic marker groupings may be obtained.

  (3) "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid.

  (4) "Law enforcement agency" means any of the following:

    (i) a municipal or county police department;

    (ii) sheriff's office;

    (iii) the Maryland State Police;

    (iv) any prosecuting authority;

    (v) any state, university, county, or municipal police unit or police force; and

    (vi) any hospital, medical facility, or private entity that is conducting forensic examinations and securing biological evidence related to criminal investigations.

  (5) "Scientific identification evidence" means evidence that:

    (i) is related to an investigation or prosecution that resulted in a judgment of conviction;

    (ii) is in the actual or constructive possession of a law enforcement agency or agent of a law enforcement agency; and

    (iii) contains biological evidence from which DNA may be recovered that may produce exculpatory or mitigating evidence relevant to a claim of a convicted person of wrongful conviction or sentencing if subject to DNA testing.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law governing postconviction relief, a person who is convicted of a crime of violence under Sec. 14-101 of the Criminal Law Article may file a petition:

  (1) for DNA testing of scientific identification evidence that the State possesses that is related to the judgment of conviction; or

  (2) for a search by a law enforcement agency of a law enforcement data base or log for the purpose of identifying the source of physical evidence used for DNA testing.

(c) A petitioner may move for a new trial under this section on the grounds that the conviction was based on unreliable scientific identification evidence and a substantial possibility exists that the petitioner would not have been convicted without the evidence.

(d)

  (1) Subject to subsection (f) of this section, if a petitioner was convicted as the result of a trial, a guilty plea, an Alford plea, or a plea of nolo contendere, a court shall order DNA testing if the court finds that:

    (i) a reasonable probability exists that the DNA testing has the scientific potential to produce exculpatory or mitigating evidence relevant to a claim of wrongful conviction or sentencing; and

    (ii) the requested DNA test employs a method of testing generally accepted within the relevant scientific community.

  (2) A court shall order a data base search by a law enforcement agency if the court finds that a reasonable probability exists that the data base search will produce exculpatory or mitigating evidence relevant to a claim of wrongful conviction or sentencing.

(e)

  (1) A petitioner shall notify the State in writing of the filing of a petition under this section.

  (2) The State may file a response to the petition within 15 days after notice of the filing or within the time that the court orders.

(f) If the court orders DNA testing under subsection (d) of this section, the court in its order may issue orders the court considers appropriate, including designation of any of the following:

  (1) the specific evidence to be tested;

  (2) the method of testing to be used;

  (3) the preservation of some of the sample for replicate testing and analysis;

  (4) the laboratory where the testing is to be performed, provided that if the parties cannot agree on a laboratory, the court may approve testing at any laboratory accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLAD), the Laboratory Accreditation Board (LAB), or the National Forensic Science Technology Center; and

  (5) release of biological evidence by a third party.

(g)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, DNA testing ordered under subsection (d) of this section shall be conducted as soon as practicable.

  (2) Based on a finding of necessity, the court may order the DNA testing to be completed by a date that the court provides.

(h)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the petitioner shall pay the cost of DNA testing ordered under subsection (d) of this section.

  (2) If the results of the DNA testing that the court orders under this section are favorable to the petitioner, the court shall order the State to pay the costs of the testing.

(i)

  (1) If the results of the postconviction DNA testing are unfavorable to the petitioner, the court shall dismiss the petition.

  (2) If the petitioner was convicted as the result of a trial and the results of the postconviction DNA testing are favorable to the petitioner, the court shall:

    (i) if no postconviction proceeding has been previously initiated by the petitioner under Sec. 7-102 of this article, open a postconviction proceeding under Sec. 7-102 of this article;

    (ii) if a postconviction proceeding has been previously initiated by the petitioner under Sec. 7-102 of this article, reopen a postconviction proceeding under Sec. 7-104 of this article; or

    (iii) on a finding that a substantial possibility exists that the petitioner would not have been convicted if the DNA testing results had been known or introduced at trial, order a new trial.

  (3) If the court finds that a substantial possibility does not exist under paragraph (2)(iii) of this subsection, the court may order a new trial if the court determines that the action is in the interest of justice.

  (4)

    (i) If the petitioner was convicted as the result of a guilty plea, an Alford plea, or a plea of nolo contendere and the court determines that the DNA test results establish by clear and convincing evidence the petitioner's actual innocence of the offense or offenses that are the subject of the petitioner's motion, the court may, as the court considers appropriate:

      (1) if no postconviction proceeding has been previously initiated by the petitioner under Sec. 7-102 of this article, open a postconviction proceeding under Sec. 7-102 of this article;

      (2) if a postconviction proceeding has been previously initiated by the petitioner under Sec. 7-102 of this article, reopen a postconviction proceeding under Sec. 7-104 of this article; or

      (3) set aside the conviction and schedule the matter for trial.

    (ii) When assessing the impact of the DNA test results on the strength of the State's case against the petitioner at the time the plea was entered, the court may consider, in addition to evidence that was presented as part of the factual support of the plea, admissible evidence submitted by either party that was contained in law enforcement files in existence at the time the plea was entered.

    (iii) When determining an appropriate remedy under this paragraph, the court may consider any additional admissible evidence submitted by either party that came into existence after the plea was entered and is relevant to the petitioner's claim of actual innocence.

  (5) If a new trial is granted or the matter is scheduled for trial, the court may order the release of the petitioner on bond or on conditions that the court finds will reasonably assure the presence of the petitioner at trial.

(j)

  (1) The State shall preserve scientific identification evidence that:

    (i) the State has reason to know contains DNA material; and

    (ii) is secured in connection with a violation of Sec. 2-201, Sec. 2-204, Sec. 2-207, Sec. 3-303, or Sec. 3-304 of the Criminal Law Article.

  (2) The State shall preserve scientific identification evidence described in paragraph (1) of this subsection for the time of the sentence, including any consecutive sentence imposed in connection with the offense.

  (3)

    (i) If the State is unable to produce scientific identification evidence described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether the failure to produce evidence was the result of intentional and willful destruction.

    (ii) If the court determines at a hearing under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph that the failure to produce evidence was the result of intentional and willful destruction, the court shall:

      (1) order a postconviction hearing to be conducted in accordance with subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph; and

      (2) at the postconviction hearing infer that the results of the postconviction DNA testing would have been favorable to the petitioner.

    (iii)

      (1) A court ordering a postconviction hearing under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall open the postconviction hearing under Sec. 7-102 of this article, if no postconviction hearing has been previously initiated by the petitioner under Sec. 7-102 of this article.

      (2) A court ordering a postconviction hearing under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall reopen the postconviction hearing under Sec. 7-104 of this article, if a postconviction hearing has been previously initiated by the petitioner under Sec. 7-102 of this article.

  (4) The State shall make the scientific identification evidence available to parties in the case under terms that are mutually agreed on between them.

  (5) If an agreement cannot be reached, the party requesting the testing may file an application in the circuit court that entered the judgment for an order setting the terms under which the evidence will be made available for testing.

(k)

  (1) The State may dispose of scientific identification evidence before the expiration of the time period described in subsection (j) of this section if the State notifies the following persons:

    (i) the person who is incarcerated in connection with the case;

    (ii) any attorney of record for the person incarcerated; and

    (iii) the Office of Public Defender for the judicial district in which the judgment of conviction was entered.

  (2) The notification required in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:

    (i) a description of the scientific identification evidence;

    (ii) a statement that the State intends to dispose of the evidence;

    (iii) a statement that the State will dispose of the evidence unless a party files an objection in writing within 120 days from the date of service in the circuit court that entered the judgment; and

    (iv) the name and mailing address of the circuit court where an objection may be filed.

  (3) Unless another law or court order requires the preservation of the scientific identification evidence, if no objection to the disposition of the evidence is filed within 120 days of the notice required under this subsection, the State may dispose of the evidence.

  (4) If a person files written objections to the State's notice that it intends to dispose of scientific identification evidence, the court shall hold a hearing on the proposed disposition of the evidence and at the conclusion of the hearing, if the court determines by a preponderance of the evidence that:

    (i) the evidence has no significant value for forensic science analysis, the court may order the return of the evidence to its rightful owner, the destruction of the evidence, or other disposition as provided by law; or

    (ii) the evidence is of such size, bulk, or physical character that it cannot practicably be retained by a law enforcement agency, on a showing of need, the court shall order that the evidence be made available to the party objecting to the disposition of the evidence for the purpose of obtaining representative samples from the evidence in the form of cuttings, swabs, or other means, prior to the release or destruction of the evidence.

  (5) If the court orders that representative samples be made available under paragraph (4)(ii) of this subsection, the court shall further order that the samples be obtained by a qualified crime scene technician acting on behalf of the party seeking to obtain the samples or by the law enforcement agency in possession of the evidence, which also shall preserve and store the representative samples until the representative samples are released to the custody of a DNA testing facility.

  (6) An appeal to the Supreme Court of Maryland may be taken from an order entered under this section.

### Subtitle 3. Newly Discovered Evidence

#### Section 8-301

(a) A person charged by indictment or criminal information with a crime triable in circuit court and convicted of that crime may, at any time, file a petition for writ of actual innocence in the circuit court for the county in which the conviction was imposed if the person claims that there is newly discovered evidence that:

  (1)

    (i) if the conviction resulted from a trial, creates a substantial or significant possibility that the result may have been different, as that standard has been judicially determined; or

    (ii) if the conviction resulted from a guilty plea, an Alford plea, or a plea of nolo contendere, establishes by clear and convincing evidence the petitioner's actual innocence of the offense or offenses that are the subject of the petitioner's motion; and

  (2) could not have been discovered in time to move for a new trial under Maryland Rule 4-331.

(b) A petition filed under this section shall:

  (1) be in writing;

  (2) state in detail the grounds on which the petition is based;

  (3) describe the newly discovered evidence;

  (4) contain or be accompanied by a request for hearing if a hearing is sought; and

  (5) distinguish the newly discovered evidence claimed in the petition from any claims made in prior petitions.

(c)

  (1) A petitioner shall notify the State in writing of the filing of a petition under this section.

  (2) The State may file a response to the petition within 90 days after receipt of the notice required under this subsection or within the period of time that the court orders.

(d)

  (1) Before a hearing is held on a petition filed under this section, the victim or victim's representative shall be notified of the hearing as provided under Sec. 11-104 or Sec. 11-503 of this article.

  (2) A victim or victim's representative has the right to attend a hearing on a petition filed under this section as provided under Sec. 11-102 of this article.

(e)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the court shall hold a hearing on a petition filed under this section if the petition satisfies the requirements of subsection (b) of this section and a hearing was requested.

  (2) The court may dismiss a petition without a hearing if the court finds that the petition fails to assert grounds on which relief may be granted.

(f)

  (1) If the conviction resulted from a trial, in ruling on a petition filed under this section, the court may set aside the verdict, resentence, grant a new trial, or correct the sentence, as the court considers appropriate.

  (2)

    (i) If the conviction resulted from a guilty plea, an Alford plea, or a plea of nolo contendere, when assessing the impact of the newly discovered evidence on the strength of the State's case against the petitioner at the time of the plea, the court may consider admissible evidence submitted by either party, in addition to the evidence presented as part of the factual support of the plea, that was contained in law enforcement files in existence at the time the plea was entered.

    (ii) If the court determines that, when considered with admissible evidence, in addition to the evidence presented as part of the factual support of the plea, that was contained in law enforcement files in existence at the time the plea was entered, the newly discovered evidence establishes by clear and convincing evidence the petitioner's actual innocence of the offense or offenses that are the subject of the petitioner's motion, the court may:

      (1) allow the petitioner to withdraw the guilty plea, Alford plea, or plea of nolo contendere; and

      (2) set aside the conviction, resentence, schedule the matter for trial, or correct the sentence, as the court considers appropriate.

    (iii) When determining the appropriate remedy, the court may allow both parties to present any admissible evidence that came into existence after the plea was entered and is relevant to the petitioner's claim of actual innocence.

  (3) The court shall state the reasons for its ruling on the record.

(g) A petitioner in a proceeding under this section has the burden of proof.

(h) If the petitioner was convicted as a result of a guilty plea, an Alford plea, or a plea of nolo contendere, an appeal may be taken either by the State or the petitioner from an order entered under this section.

(i) On written request by the petitioner, the State's Attorney may certify that a conviction was in error, if:

  (1) the court grants a petition for relief under this section;

  (2) in ruling on a petition under this section, the court:

    (i) sets aside the verdict or conviction; or

    (ii) schedules the matter for trial or grants a new trial; and

  (3) the State's Attorney declines to prosecute the petitioner because the State's Attorney determines that the petitioner is innocent.

#### Section 8-301.1

(a) On a motion of the State, at any time after the entry of a probation before judgment or judgment of conviction in a criminal case, the court with jurisdiction over the case may vacate the probation before judgment or conviction on the ground that:

  (1)

    (i) there is newly discovered evidence that:

      (1) could not have been discovered by due diligence in time to move for a new trial under Maryland Rule 4-331(c); and

      (2) creates a substantial or significant probability that the result would have been different; or

    (ii) the State's Attorney received new information after the entry of a probation before judgment or judgment of conviction that calls into question the integrity of the probation before judgment or conviction; and

  (2) the interest of justice and fairness justifies vacating the probation before judgment or conviction.

(b) A motion filed under this section shall:

  (1) be in writing;

  (2) state in detail the grounds on which the motion is based;

  (3) where applicable, describe the newly discovered evidence; and

  (4) contain or be accompanied by a request for a hearing.

(c)

  (1) The State shall notify the defendant in writing of the filing of a motion under this section.

  (2) The defendant may file a response to the motion within 30 days after receipt of the notice required under this subsection or within the period of time that the court orders.

(d)

  (1) Before a hearing on a motion filed under this section, the victim or victim's representative shall be notified, as provided under Sec. 11-104 or Sec. 11-503 of this article.

  (2) A victim or victim's representative has the right to attend a hearing on a motion filed under this section, as provided under Sec. 11-102 of this article.

(e)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the court shall hold a hearing on a motion filed under this section if the motion satisfies the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

  (2) The court may dismiss a motion without a hearing if the court finds that the motion fails to assert grounds on which relief may be granted.

(f)

  (1) In ruling on a motion filed under this section, the court, as the court considers appropriate, may:

    (i) vacate the conviction or probation before judgment and discharge the defendant; or

    (ii) deny the motion.

  (2) The court shall state the reasons for a ruling under this section on the record.

(g) The State in a proceeding under this section has the burden of proof.

(h) An appeal may be taken by either party from an order entered under this section.

#### Section 8-302

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "Qualifying offense" means:

    (i) unnatural or perverted sexual practice under Sec. 3-322 of the Criminal Law Article, as that offense existed before October 1, 2023;

    (ii) possessing or administering a controlled dangerous substance under Sec. 5-601 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (iii) possessing or purchasing a noncontrolled substance under Sec. 5-618 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (iv) possessing or distributing controlled paraphernalia under Sec. 5-620(a)(2) of the Criminal Law Article;

    (v) fourth-degree burglary under Sec. 6-205 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (vi) malicious destruction of property in the lesser degree under Sec. 6-301(c) of the Criminal Law Article;

    (vii) a trespass offense under Title 6, Subtitle 4 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (viii) misdemeanor theft under Sec. 7-104 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (ix) misdemeanor obtaining property or services by bad check under Sec. 8-103 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (x) possession or use of a fraudulent government identification document under Sec. 8-303 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (xi) public assistance fraud under Sec. 8-503 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (xii) false statement to a law enforcement officer or public official under Sec. 9-501, Sec. 9-502, or Sec. 9-503 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (xiii) disturbing the public peace and disorderly conduct under Sec. 10-201 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (xiv) indecent exposure under Sec. 11-107 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (xv) prostitution under Sec. 11-303 of the Criminal Law Article;

    (xvi) driving with a suspended registration under Sec. 13-401(h) of the Transportation Article;

    (xvii) failure to display registration under Sec. 13-409(b) of the Transportation Article;

    (xviii) driving without a license under Sec. 16-101 of the Transportation Article;

    (xix) failure to display license to police under Sec. 16-112(c) of the Transportation Article;

    (xx) possession of a suspended license under Sec. 16-301(j) of the Transportation Article;

    (xxi) driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, refused, or revoked under Sec. 16-303 of the Transportation Article;

    (xxii) owner failure to maintain security on a vehicle under Sec. 17-104(b) of the Transportation Article;

    (xxiii) driving while uninsured under Sec. 17-107 of the Transportation Article;

    (xxiv) prostitution or loitering as prohibited under local law;

    (xxv) unauthorized use under Sec. 14-102 of the Transportation Article; or

    (xxvi) soliciting or offering to solicit prostitution or assignation under Sec. 11-306 of the Criminal Law Article.

  (3) "Victim of human trafficking" means a person who has been subjected to an act of another committed in violation of:

    (i) Title 3, Subtitle 11 of the Criminal Law Article; or

    (ii) Sec. 1589, Sec. 1590, Sec. 1591, or Sec. 1594(a) of Title 18 of the United States Code.

(b) A person convicted of a qualifying offense may file a motion to vacate the judgment if the person's participation in the offense was a direct result of being a victim of human trafficking.

(c) A motion filed under this section shall:

  (1) be in writing;

  (2) be made within a reasonable period of time after the conviction;

  (3) describe the evidence and include copies of any documents showing that the movant is entitled to relief under this section;

  (4) be served on the State's Attorney in the jurisdiction where the conviction for the qualifying offense occurred; and

  (5) if the qualifying offense occurred within 5 years before the filing of the motion, be mailed to any victim or victim's representative at the victim's or victim's representative's last known address.

(d)

  (1) The court may grant a motion filed under this section on a finding based on a preponderance of the evidence that the movant committed the qualifying offense as a direct result of being a victim of human trafficking.

  (2) When making a finding under this subsection, the court shall consider:

    (i) the length of time between the offense and the trafficking of the movant;

    (ii) the dynamics of the relationship between the movant and the person committing trafficking against the movant; and

    (iii) any other relevant evidence.

(e) The court may grant a motion filed under this section without a hearing if:

  (1) the State's Attorney consents to the motion;

  (2) no objection to the relief requested has been filed by a victim or victim's representative; and

  (3) at least 60 days have elapsed since notice and service under subsection (c) of this section.

(f) The court may dismiss a motion filed under this section without a hearing if the court finds that:

  (1) the motion fails to assert grounds on which relief may be granted;

  (2) the motion offers no additional evidence beyond that which has previously been considered by the court; or

  (3) the movant acted fraudulently or in bad faith in filing the motion.

(g)

  (1) If a court grants a motion filed under this section, the court shall vacate the conviction.

  (2) The court shall state the reasons for its ruling on the record.

(h) A movant in a proceeding under this section has the burden of proof.

(i) A conviction that has been vacated under this section may not be considered a conviction for any purpose.

### Subtitle 4. Coram Nobis

#### Section 8-401

The failure to seek an appeal in a criminal case may not be construed as a waiver of the right to file a petition for writ of error coram nobis.

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