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Terms Used In Maryland Code, FAMILY LAW 13-104

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • County: means a county of the State or Baltimore City. See
  • 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
  • state: means :

    (1) a state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States; or

    (2) the District of Columbia. See
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
(a) After a complaint is filed under § 13-103 of this title and before an information is prepared, the State‘s Attorney may hold a pretrial inquiry.

(b) In connection with any pretrial inquiry under this section, the State’s Attorney may:

(1) issue a summons that requires a person other than the accused individual to appear, to testify, and to produce documents connected to the inquiry;

(2) administer oaths;

(3) examine witnesses; and

(4) receive evidence.

(c) (1) If a person fails to obey a summons, or fails to testify or comply with the requests of the State’s Attorney, the State’s Attorney may ask the circuit court for the county to order the person:

(i) to obey the summons;

(ii) to testify; or

(iii) to produce any document that the court considers necessary for the inquiry.

(2) If a person fails or refuses to obey the order of court after the order has been served, the person is in contempt of court and the court may punish the person for the contempt.

(3) A finding of contempt under this subsection is subject to appeal.

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