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Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 3-8A-19.6

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) “Good cause” includes a child having two or more unexcused absences from a treatment program that the child is ordered to attend as a condition of probation, unless the child has substantially completed the treatment program.

(3) “Technical violation” means a violation of probation that does not involve:

(i) An arrest or a summons issued by a commissioner on a statement of charges filed by a law enforcement officer;

(ii) A violation of a criminal prohibition, or an act that would be a violation of a criminal prohibition if committed by an adult, other than a minor traffic offense;

(iii) A violation of a no-contact or stay-away order; or

(iv) Absconding.

(b) This section does not apply to an offense committed by a child that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony and a crime of violence under § 14-101 of the Criminal Law Article.

(c) The court may not place a child on probation for a term exceeding that provided in this section.

(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the most serious offense committed by a child would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult, the court may place the child on probation for a period not exceeding 1 year.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the court may, after a hearing, extend the probation by periods not exceeding 3 months if the court finds that:

(i) There is good cause to extend the probation; and

(ii) The purpose of extending the probation is to ensure that the child completes a treatment or rehabilitative program or service.

(3) The total period of the probation, including extensions of the probation, may not exceed 2 years.

(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the most serious offense committed by a child would be a felony if committed by an adult, the court may place the child on probation for a period not exceeding 2 years.

(2)(i) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the court may, after a hearing, extend the probation by periods not exceeding 3 months if the court finds that:

1. There is good cause to extend the probation; and

2. The purpose of extending the probation is to ensure that the child completes a treatment or rehabilitative program or service.

(ii) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, if the probation is extended under this paragraph, the total period of the probation may not exceed 3 years.

(3)(i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the court may extend the period of the probation for a period of time greater than the period described in paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection if, after a hearing, the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that:

1. There is good cause to extend the probation; and

2. Extending the probation is in the best interest of the child.

(ii) If the probation is extended under this paragraph, the total period of probation, including extensions under paragraph (2) of this subsection, may not exceed 4 years.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a child is found to have committed a violation of probation, except for a technical violation, a court may, after a hearing, place the child on a new term of probation for a period that is consistent with the period of probation that may be imposed under this section for the delinquent act for which the child was originally placed on probation.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 3-8A-19.6 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/courts-and-judicial-proceedings/md-code-cts-and-jud-pro-sect-3-8a-19-6/

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