Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 1 - Charging Procedures and Documents
Section 4-103 - Preliminary Hearing

(a)    If a defendant is charged with a felony other than a felony within the jurisdiction of the District Court, at the time of the defendant’s initial appearance, as required by Maryland Rule 4-213, a court or court commissioner shall advise the defendant of the defendant’s right to request a preliminary hearing.
    (b)    (1)    If a defendant is charged with a felony other than a felony within the jurisdiction of the District Court, the defendant may request a preliminary hearing at the defendant’s initial appearance or at any time within 10 days after the initial appearance.
        (2)    If the defendant does not request a preliminary hearing within 10 days after the initial appearance, the right to a preliminary hearing is waived.
    (c)    (1)    If a defendant is charged with a felony other than a felony within the jurisdiction of the District Court, the right of a defendant to a preliminary hearing is absolute if:
            (i)    the defendant is charged by criminal information; and
            (ii)    the defendant requests a preliminary hearing in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
        (2)    If the defendant is charged by grand jury indictment, the right of a defendant to a preliminary hearing is not absolute but the court may allow the defendant to have a preliminary hearing.
        (3)    In any other case, the right of a defendant to a preliminary hearing is not absolute, but on motion of the State’s Attorney or the defendant, and subject to the Maryland Rules, the court may allow the defendant to have a preliminary hearing.

Structure Maryland Statutes