Section 9-304 - Court to prevent intimidation of victim or witness. - Maryland Statutes

§ 9-304. Court to prevent intimidation of victim or witness.
 

(a)  In general.- A finding of good cause under this section may be based on any relevant evidence including credible hearsay. 

(b)  Good cause.-  

(1) For good cause shown, a court with jurisdiction over a criminal matter or juvenile delinquency case may pass an order that is reasonably necessary to stop or prevent: 

(i) the intimidation of a victim or witness; or 

(ii) a violation of this subtitle. 

(2) The order may: 

(i) prohibit a person from violating this subtitle; 

(ii) require an individual to maintain a certain physical distance from another person specified by the court; 

(iii) prohibit a person from communicating with another individual specified by the court, except through an attorney or other individual specified by the court; and 

(iv) impose other reasonable conditions to ensure the safety of a victim or witness. 

(3) The court may hold a hearing to determine if an order should be issued under this subsection. 

(c)  Enforcement.-  

(1) The court may use its contempt power to enforce an order issued under this section. 

(2) The court may revoke the pretrial release of a defendant or child respondent to ensure the safety of a victim or witness or the integrity of the judicial process if the defendant or child respondent violates an order passed under this section. 

(d)  Conditions of pretrial release.- A District Court commissioner or an intake officer, as defined in § 3-8A-01 of the Courts Article, may impose for good cause shown a condition described in subsection (b)(2) of this section as a condition of the pretrial release of a defendant or child respondent. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, §§ 760(b), 763; 2002, ch. 26, § 2.]