§ 3–537
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 3-537 (2026)
Title 3. Law Enforcement
Subtitle 5
§ 3–537LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)
“Identification” means a law enforcement officer’s agency or department, last name, and badge number or other identification number.
(3)
“Law enforcement agency” has the meaning stated in § 3–536 of this subtitle.
(4)
“Law enforcement officer” has the meaning stated in § 3–536 of this subtitle.
(b)
This section does not apply to a law enforcement officer working in a plainclothes, nonuniformed, or undercover capacity.
(c)
(1)
A law enforcement officer shall wear identification on the law enforcement officer’s outermost layer of clothing while in the performance of duty in the State.
(2)
On request of another, a law enforcement officer shall verbally disclose identification while in the performance of duty in the State.
(d)
(1)
A law enforcement officer who violates this section is guilty of a civil offense and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,500.
(2)
A violation of this section constitutes police misconduct for purposes of Subtitle 1 of this title.
(e)
(1)
A police officer may issue a citation to a law enforcement officer who the police officer has probable cause to believe is committing or has committed a violation of this section.
(2)
Adjudication under this section:
(i)
is not a criminal conviction for any purpose; and
(ii)
does not impose any of the civil disabilities that may result from a criminal conviction.
(3)
A citation issued under this section shall be signed by the police officer who issued the citation and shall contain:
(i)
the name and address of the law enforcement officer charged;
(ii)
the statute allegedly violated;
(iii)
the date, location, and time that the violation occurred;
(iv)
the fine that may be imposed;
(v)
a notice stating that prepayment of the fine is allowed; and
(vi)
a notice that states that the District Court shall promptly send the law enforcement officer a summons to appear for trial.
(4)
(i)
The form of the citation shall be uniform throughout the State and shall be prescribed by the District Court.
(ii)
The Chief Judge of the District Court shall establish a schedule for the prepayment of a fine for a violation of this section.
(5)
(i)
The law enforcement agency of the police officer who issued the citation shall forward to the District Court having venue a copy of the citation and a request for trial.
(ii)
The District Court shall promptly schedule the case for trial and summon the defendant to appear.
(6)
In any proceeding for a civil offense under this section:
(i)
the State has the burden to prove the guilt of the defendant by a preponderance of the evidence;
(ii)
the court shall apply the evidentiary standards as prescribed by law or rule for the trial of criminal cases;
(iii)
the court shall ensure that the defendant has received a copy of the charges against the defendant and that the defendant understands those charges;
(iv)
the defendant is entitled to cross–examine all witnesses who appear against the defendant, to produce evidence or witnesses on behalf of the defendant, or to testify on the defendant’s own behalf, if the defendant chooses to do so;
(v)
the defendant is entitled to be represented by counsel of the defendant’s choice and at the expense of the defendant; and
(vi)
the defendant may enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, and the verdict of the court in the case shall be:
(1)
guilty of a civil offense; or
(2)
not guilty of a civil offense.
(7)
When a defendant has been found guilty of a civil offense under this section and a fine has been imposed by the court, the court may direct that the payment of the fine be suspended or deferred under conditions that the court may establish.
(8)
The defendant may be liable for the costs of the proceedings in the District Court and for payment to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.
(9)
(i)
A defendant who has been found guilty of a civil offense under this section has the same right to appeal or to file a motion for a new trial or a motion for a revision of a judgment provided by law in the trial of a criminal case.
(ii)
A motion shall be made in the same manner as provided in the trial of criminal cases, and the court, in ruling on the motion, has the same authority provided in the trial of criminal cases.
(10)
The State’s Attorney for a county may prosecute a civil offense under this section in the same manner as prosecution of a violation of the criminal laws of the State.
(11)
In a civil offense case under this section, the State’s Attorney may:
(i)
enter a nolle prosequi in or place the case on the stet docket; and
(ii)
exercise authority in the same manner as prescribed by law for violation of the criminal laws of the State.