Section 11-501 - Definitions. - Maryland Statutes

§ 11-501. Definitions.
 

(a)  In general.- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 
   
Revisor's Note.

This subsection is new language derived without substantive change from former Art. 27, § 783A(a). 

(b)  Victim.- "Victim" means a person who suffers direct or threatened physical, emotional, or financial harm as a direct result of a crime or delinquent act. 
   
Revisor's Note.

This subsection is new language derived without substantive change from former Art. 27, § 783A(c), as it related to an individual who suffers harm. 
 

The reference to a "crime" is substituted for the former reference to a "felony" to avoid giving the term "victim" an unnaturally narrow meaning. Similarly, the former reference to a delinquent act "that would be a felony if committed by an adult" is deleted. The restrictive quality that the references to "felony" and to "felony if committed by an adult" signify is more properly expressed as scope provisions. See § 11-502 of this subtitle. 
 

The defined term "person" is substituted for the former reference to an "individual" to conform to the terminology used throughout this article. 
  Defined Terms.


 
"Delinquent act"                                                    § 11-101


"Person"                                                              § 1-101

(c)  Victim's representative.- "Victim's representative" includes: 

(1) a family member of a victim who is a minor, an incompetent, or a victim of homicide; or 

(2) a guardian of a minor or an incompetent. 
   
Revisor's Note.

This subsection is new language derived without substantive change from former Art. 27, § 783A(c), as it related to family members and guardians of certain victims. 
 

The defined term "victim's representative" is added for clarity. 
 

The Criminal Procedure Article Review Committee notes, for consideration by the General Assembly, that the language of subsection (c) of this section differs from the definition of "victim's representative" under § 11-104 of this title, which is based on the provisions enacted by Ch. 392, Acts of 2000. 
  Defined Terms.


 
"Victim"                                                            § 11-501
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 783A(a), (c); 2001, ch. 10, § 2.]