Section 5-211 - Failure to surrender after forfeiture of bail or recognizance. - Maryland Statutes

§ 5-211. Failure to surrender after forfeiture of bail or recognizance.
 

(a)  Bench warrant.- If a person has been charged with a crime and admitted to bail or released on recognizance and the person forfeits the bail or recognizance and willfully fails to surrender, a bench warrant shall be issued for the person's arrest. 

(b)  Penalties.- A person who has been admitted to bail or released on recognizance in a criminal case in the State and who willfully fails to surrender within 30 days after the date of forfeiture is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to: 

(1) a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both, if the bail or recognizance was given in connection with a charge of a felony or pending an appeal, certiorari, habeas corpus, or postconviction proceeding after conviction of any crime; or 

(2) a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both, if the bail or recognizance was given in connection with a charge of a misdemeanor, or for appearance as a witness. 

(c)  Effect of section.- This section does not diminish the power of a court to punish for contempt. 

(d)  Statute of limitations and in banc review.- A person who is prosecuted under subsection (b)(1) of this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article regarding the exemption from the statute of limitations for the institution of prosecution and the right of in banc review. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 12B; 2001, ch. 10, § 2.]