Section 7-507 - Disposition of fines and forfeited recognizances. - Maryland Statutes

§ 7-507. Disposition of fines and forfeited recognizances.
 

(a)  Scope of section.-  

(1) This section does not apply to Anne Arundel, Howard, and Somerset counties. 

(2) This section does not apply to fines imposed in gambling cases in Baltimore County. 

(b)  In general.- Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the fines imposed by and recognizances forfeited to each circuit court shall be distributed as follows: 

(1) 50% to the clerk of the circuit court, to be used under the direction of the judges of the circuit court to augment the court library; and 

(2) 5% to the clerk of the circuit court as a commission. 

(c)  Exceptions.-  

(1) In Calvert County, if the County Administrative Circuit Court Judge determines that the amount under subsection (b)(1) of this section exceeds the needs of the library, excess amounts may be used for other needs of the Circuit Court for Calvert County if the Judge provides the County Commissioners with an annual report documenting how the excess amount is used. 

(2) In Carroll County, in addition to the amount under subsection (b) of this section, the County Commissioners shall appropriate and pay to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Carroll County $1,800, plus any additional amount that the County Commissioners determine, for library support and maintenance, including books and library equipment, to be used under the direction of the judges of the Circuit Court for Carroll County. 

(3) In Cecil County: 

(i) In any year in which the amount provided to the court library under subsection (b) of this section and the attorney appearance fees under § 7-204 of this title: 

1. Is less than $10,000, the County Commissioners shall pay to the clerk of the court the amount necessary to bring the total to $10,000, plus any amount the County Commissioners determine is reasonable for the library maintenance, to be used under the direction of the judges of the Circuit Court for Cecil County; or 

2. Exceeds the amount necessary for library maintenance, the Cecil County Bar and Library Association, Inc., may transfer the excess money to the Cecil County Bar Foundation, Inc., to be used for charitable and educational purposes in accordance with the bylaws of the Foundation; and 

(ii) All amounts paid under this section shall be used under the direction of the judges of the Circuit Court for Cecil County in consultation with the Law Library Committee of the Cecil County Bar and Library Association, Inc. 

(4) In Charles County, in any year in which the amount under subsection (b) of this section is less than $3,000, the County Commissioners shall pay to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Charles County the amount necessary to bring the total to $3,000, plus any amount the County Commissioners determine is reasonable for library maintenance, to be used under the direction of the judges of the Circuit Court for Charles County, who reside in the county. 

(5) In Harford County, the local governing body shall appropriate and pay to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Harford County, to be used under the direction of the judges of the court: 

(i) The amount under subsection (b) of this section; and 

(ii) Any amount the local governing body determines is appropriate, but not less than $1,500, for library support and maintenance, including books, library equipment, and the services of a librarian. 

(6) (i) In St. Mary's County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court for St. Mary's County shall transmit monthly the amount under subsection (b)(1) of this section to a special account known as the St. Mary's County Law Library Fund maintained by the county. 

(ii) As determined by the County Administrative Judge, the St. Mary's County Law Library Fund may only be used for the general purposes of the court library, including to acquire books, other publications, and library equipment, and for other necessary expenses. 

(7) In Worcester County, in addition to the amount under subsection (b) of this section, the County Commissioners shall appropriate and pay to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County $2,000 and any additional amount that the Commissioners set for library support and maintenance to be used under the direction of the judges of the Circuit Court for Worcester County. 
 

[2004, ch. 26, § 2; 2005, ch. 25, § 1.]