<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".24" citation="COMAR 09.10.02.24" title_num="09" subtitle_num="10" chapter_num="02" heading="Officials.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>For each day of live racing during a race meeting, the officials on duty shall be:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>One presiding judge and two associate judges;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Commission veterinarians;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Two patrol judges;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>One program director;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>One clerk of the course;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>One starter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>An official timer;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>A paddock judge;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>A racing secretary and handicapper;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>A licensed charter; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>An identifier.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Subject to the approval of the presiding judge, an individual may perform more than one of the functions listed under §A(3)—(11) of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Identifier. It shall be the duty of the identifier to check the identification of all horses coming into the paddock in accordance with Regulation .18 of this chapter and to report any discrepancy immediately to the paddock judge, who shall report the matter immediately to the presiding judge.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The presiding judge shall be the senior official at all race meetings and shall supervise the conduct of the racing and shall at all times have access to all parts of the course, plant, and grounds.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The judges under §A(1) of this regulation may not.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>It shall be the duty of all the judges to enforce the rules and regulations of the Commission and the rules and regulations of the United States Trotting Association, and they shall have the power of expulsion, suspension, or fine as provided in the rules and regulations.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Any official designated by the Commission or by an association may be removed by the Commission in its discretion.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>In any emergency due to the incapacity or absence of any judge, the other judges at the meeting may appoint a substitute judge to serve in his place, pending a new designation by the Commission.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Duties.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The judges shall have general supervision over racing and over owners, trainers, drivers, grooms, and other persons licensed by the Commission and also over all other officials of the meeting.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The judges shall have the power to punish, for a violation of these regulations, a person subject to their control either by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Suspension of the privilege of attending the races during the meeting;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Suspension from acting or driving for a period not exceeding 90 days;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Fine not exceeding $2,500; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Fine and suspension.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If they consider necessary any further punishment or additional fine, they shall so report to the Maryland Racing Commission.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>In determining the penalty to be imposed, the judges shall consider the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Seriousness of the violation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Harm caused by the violation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Good faith or lack of good faith of the licensee; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Licensing history of the licensee.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>When there are occurrences in violation of the rules of racing at a meeting that has terminated that do not come to the attention of the judges until the meeting has closed, it shall be their duty to investigate and report their findings to the Commission.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>The decision of a majority of the judges on any question shall prevail.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>The associate judges, if and when directed by the presiding judge, shall be at the office building on the grounds of the association where the race meeting is being held not later than the specified scratch time, or at such other times as he may direct, to conduct hearings and to perform any other duties that may be imposed upon them by the Rules of Racing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="L.">
    <text>The clerk of the course shall be in the judges' stand at least 15 minutes before post time of the first race and shall remain until after the last race, unless excused by the presiding judge.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="M.">
    <text>Announcers shall be in the announcer's stand not later than 15 minutes before the first live race of the day in order to announce any changes to the printed information on the program as these changes are received and to make other announcements as directed by the presiding judge.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>