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<section article="gcs" article_name="Correctional Services" number="11-1107" title_number="11" title_name="Local Correctional Facilities" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Calvert County and Charles County Correctional Officers' Bill of Rights">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the investigation or interrogation of a correctional officer results in a recommendation of demotion, dismissal, transfer, loss of pay, reassignment, or similar action that is considered punitive, the correctional officer is entitled to a hearing on the issues by a hearing board before the Sheriff takes that action.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A correctional officer who has been convicted of a felony is not entitled to a hearing under this section.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Sheriff’s Office shall give notice to the correctional officer of the right to a hearing by a hearing board under this section.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The notice required under this subsection shall state the time and place of the hearing and the issues involved.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The hearing board authorized under this section shall consist of at least three members who:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>are appointed by the Sheriff and chosen from correctional officers within the Sheriff’s Office, or from correctional officers of another correctional facility with the approval of the Sheriff of the other facility; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>have had no part in the investigation or interrogation of the correctional officer.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>At least one member of the hearing board shall be of the same rank as the correctional officer against whom the complaint is filed.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>At least two members of the hearing board shall be correctional officers.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In connection with a disciplinary hearing, the Sheriff or hearing board may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, records, and documents as relevant or necessary.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The subpoenas may be served without cost in accordance with the Maryland Rules that relate to service of process issued by a court.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Each party may request the Sheriff or hearing board to issue a subpoena or an order under this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The hearing shall be conducted by a hearing board.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The hearing board shall give the Sheriff’s Office and correctional officer ample opportunity to present evidence and argument about the issues involved.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Sheriff’s Office and correctional officer may be represented by counsel.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Each party has the right to cross–examine witnesses who testify, and each party may submit rebuttal evidence.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Evidence with probative value that is commonly accepted by reasonable and prudent individuals in the conduct of their affairs is admissible and shall be given probative effect.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The hearing board shall give effect to the rules of privilege recognized by law and shall exclude incompetent, irrelevant, immaterial, and unduly repetitious evidence.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Each record or document that a party desires to use shall be offered and made a part of the record.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Documentary evidence may be received in the form of copies or excerpts, or by incorporation by reference.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The hearing board may take notice of:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>judicially cognizable facts; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>general, technical, or scientific facts within the hearing board’s specialized knowledge.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The hearing board shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>notify each party of the facts so noticed either before or during the hearing, or by reference in preliminary reports or otherwise; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>give each party an opportunity and reasonable time to contest the facts so noticed.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The hearing board may utilize its experience, technical competence, and specialized knowledge in the evaluation of the evidence presented.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <text>In connection with a disciplinary hearing, the Sheriff or a hearing board may administer oaths.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="i">
    <text>An official record, including testimony and exhibits, shall be kept of the hearing.</text>
  </level>
</section>
