Title 8. Waters — Subtitle 20. Penalty and Fines; Prosecution
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 8-2001 (2026)
Title 8. Waters
Subtitle 20. Penalty and Fines; Prosecution
§ 8–2001LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Any person who violates any provision of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction, unless another penalty is specifically provided elsewhere in this title, the person is subject to a fine not exceeding $500, with costs imposed in the discretion of the court. Every fine and cost shall be paid in accordance with § 7-503 of the Courts Article.
(b)
Any person found guilty of a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this title in a court of competent jurisdiction, unless another penalty is specifically provided elsewhere in this title, is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or both with costs imposed in the discretion of the court. For the purpose of this subsection, a second or subsequent violation is a violation which has occurred within 2 years of any prior violation of this title.
(c)
In addition to any administrative penalty provided in this title, violation of any regulation or restriction adopted by any unit within the Department of Natural Resources pursuant to the provisions of this title is a misdemeanor and is punishable as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 8-2002 (2026)
Title 8. Waters
Subtitle 20. Penalty and Fines; Prosecution
§ 8–2002LinkCopy Citation
The Attorney General shall take charge of, prosecute, and defend on behalf of the State every case arising under the provisions of this title, including the recovery of penalties, except for prosecution of violations of the provisions of Subtitle 7 of this title and regulations adopted under Subtitle 7 of this title.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 8-2003 (2026)
Title 8. Waters
Subtitle 20. Penalty and Fines; Prosecution
§ 8–2003LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Whenever a person is halted by a regular or special police officer for an offense on publicly owned watershed property punishable as a misdemeanor and which is either a violation of law or a violation of watershed regulations, and is not taken before a District Court commissioner as would otherwise be required or is permitted by law, the officer may prepare a written or electronic citation containing:
(1)
A notice to appear in court;
(2)
The name and address of the person charged;
(3)
The offense charged;
(4)
The time and place the person shall appear in court;
(5)
An acknowledgment of receipt of the citation by the person charged made in a manner determined by the Department; and
(6)
Other pertinent information as necessary.
(b)
The time specified in the notice to appear shall be at least five days after the alleged violation unless the person charged with the violation demands an earlier hearing.
(c)
The place specified in the notice to appear shall be before a judge of the appropriate District Court.
(d)
The person charged with the violation may promise to appear in court by acknowledging receipt of at least one copy of the citation prepared by the officer in a manner determined by the Department, in which event the officer shall deliver a copy of the citation to the person. Then, the officer may not take the person into physical custody for the violation.
(e)
Failure to comply with the notice to appear is punishable as contempt or as otherwise provided by law in such cases.