Maryland Code, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 2-204
Terms Used In Maryland Code, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 2-204
- Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Person: includes an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, representative of any kind, corporation, partnership, business trust, statutory trust, limited liability company, firm, association, or other nongovernmental entity. See
- Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
(1) the police officer has probable cause to believe that:
(i) the person battered the person’s spouse or another person with whom the person resides;
(ii) there is evidence of physical injury; and
(iii) unless the person is arrested immediately, the person:
1. may not be apprehended;
2. may cause physical injury or property damage to another; or
3. may tamper with, dispose of, or destroy evidence; and
(2) a report to the police was made within 48 hours of the alleged incident.
(b) If the police officer has probable cause to believe that mutual battery occurred and arrest is necessary under subsection (a) of this section, the police officer shall consider whether one of the persons acted in self-defense when determining whether to arrest the person whom the police officer believes to be the primary aggressor.