Section 8-420 - Peremptory challenges in criminal cases. - Maryland Statutes

§ 8-420. Peremptory challenges in criminal cases.
 

(a)  Capital or life case.-  

(1) This subsection applies only in a criminal trial in which a defendant is subject, on any single count, to: 

(i) A death sentence because the State has given notice of intention to seek a death sentence in accordance with § 2-202 of the Criminal Law Article; or 

(ii) A sentence of life imprisonment, including a case in which the State has not given notice of intention to seek a death sentence in accordance with § 2-202 of the Criminal Law Article but excluding a common law offense for which no specific statutory penalty is provided. 

(2) Each defendant is allowed 20 peremptory challenges. 

(3) The State is allowed 10 peremptory challenges for each defendant. 

(b)  Noncapital case - Sentence of at least 20 years.-  

(1) This subsection applies only in a criminal trial in which a defendant is subject, on any single count, to a sentence of at least 20 years, excluding a case subject to subsection (a) of this section or a common law offense for which no specific statutory penalty is provided. 

(2) Each defendant is allowed 10 peremptory challenges. 

(3) The State is allowed five peremptory challenges for each defendant. 

(c)  Noncapital case - Other.- In every other criminal trial, each party is allowed four peremptory challenges. 
 

[2006, ch. 372, § 13.]