WHAT EACH CHARGE CARRIES
16 charges people actually meet, each with the section it comes from, what it requires the state to show, and the most it can carry. Maryland has no offense classes. Each section says whether its crime is a misdemeanor or a felony and sets its own penalty, so each level here names the term and fine its own section sets. A Maryland misdemeanor can carry years in prison.
16 charges
Theft
MISD to FELONY · up to Set by the section
Also searched as stealing, shoplifting, larceny, took something
Taking or exerting unauthorized control over property, getting it by deception, possessing property known or believed stolen, or keeping lost property while knowing how to find the owner.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$500 fine | WhenLess than $100: up to 90 days |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$500 fine | When$100 to less than $1,500, a first conviction: up to 6 months |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$500 fine | When$100 to less than $1,500, a second or later: up to 1 year |
| FELONYFelony | Set by the section$10,000 fine | When$1,500 to less than $25,000: up to 5 years |
| FELONYFelony | Set by the section$15,000 fine | When$25,000 to less than $100,000: up to 10 years |
| FELONYFelony | Set by the section$25,000 fine | When$100,000 or more: up to 20 years |
Every grade also requires restoring the property or paying the owner its value. A prosecution for a theft under $1,500 has to begin within 2 years.
Malicious destruction of property
MISD · up to Set by the section
Also searched as vandalism, property damage, graffiti
Willfully and maliciously destroying, injuring or defacing another's real or personal property.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$500 fine | WhenLess than $1,000: up to 60 days |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$2,500 fine | When$1,000 or more: up to 3 years |
Where the evidence cannot show whether the damage was more or less than $1,000, it is treated as less.
Assault in the first and second degree
MISD to FELONY · up to Set by the section
Also searched as assault, hit someone, fight, second degree assault, strangulation
Any assault is assault in the second degree; causing or attempting serious physical injury, assault with a firearm, or strangling another is the first degree.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$2,500 fine | WhenSecond degree: up to 10 years |
| FELONYFelony | Set by the section$5,000 fine | WhenSecond degree, intentionally causing physical injury to an officer or first responder on duty: up to 10 years |
| FELONYFelony | Set by the sectionNone set by the section fine | WhenFirst degree: up to 25 years |
Harassment
MISD · up to Set by the section
Also searched as harassing, following someone, watching a home
With intent to harass, alarm or annoy, following someone in public, watching where they expect privacy, or a malicious course of conduct that alarms them, after a reasonable warning to stop and without a legal purpose.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$500 fine | WhenA first offense: up to 90 days |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$1,000 fine | WhenA second or later: up to 180 days |
It does not apply to peaceable activity meant to express a political view or provide information.
Stalking
MISD · up to Set by the section
Also searched as following someone, tracking device, course of conduct
A malicious course of conduct meant, or reasonably known, to place someone in reasonable fear of serious harm or to cause serious emotional distress, in person, electronically, or by a location tracking device used without consent.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$5,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case: up to 5 years |
Trespass on posted or private property
MISD · up to Set by the section
Also searched as trespassing, refused to leave, posted land
Entering property posted conspicuously against trespass, or entering or crossing private property after the owner said not to, or remaining after being told to leave.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$500 fine | WhenA first violation: up to 90 days |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$1,000 fine | WhenA second within 2 years: up to 6 months |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$2,500 fine | WhenEach later one within 2 years of the last: up to 1 year |
Disorderly conduct
MISD · up to Set by the section
Also searched as disturbing the peace, loud noise, blocking the sidewalk, failure to obey
Willfully obstructing free passage in a public place, acting in a disorderly manner that disturbs the public peace, failing to obey a reasonable and lawful order to prevent a disturbance, or disturbing others with unreasonably loud noise.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$500 fine | WhenThe ordinary case: up to 60 days |
Resisting or interfering with arrest
MISD · up to Set by the section
Also searched as resisting, interfering with an arrest, pulled away
Intentionally resisting a lawful arrest, or interfering with an officer making or attempting a lawful arrest or detention of another.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$5,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case: up to 3 years |
It counts once per arrest, however many officers are involved.
False statement to a law enforcement officer
MISD · up to Set by the section
Also searched as false report, lying to police, false complaint
Making a statement, report or complaint to an officer knowing it is false, with intent to deceive and to cause an investigation or other action.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$500 fine | WhenThe ordinary case: up to 6 months |
Fleeing or eluding police
TRAFFIC · up to Set by the section
Also searched as fleeing, car chase, did not pull over, eluding
After a signal to stop from a uniformed officer showing a badge or an officer in a marked vehicle, trying to elude the officer by willfully failing to stop, fleeing on foot, or any other means.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$1,000 fine | WhenA first offense: up to 1 year |
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$1,000 fine | WhenA second or later: up to 2 years |
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$5,000 fine | WhenFailing to stop, resulting in bodily injury: up to 3 years |
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$5,000 fine | WhenFailing to stop, resulting in a death: up to 10 years |
Reckless and negligent driving
TRAFFIC · up to Set by the section
Also searched as reckless driving, negligent driving, 30 over
Driving in wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property, or at least 30 miles per hour over the posted limit; or driving in a careless or imprudent manner that endangers anyone.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$750 fine | WhenNegligent driving: a fine only |
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$1,000 fine | WhenReckless driving: up to 60 days |
Driving while suspended or revoked
TRAFFIC · up to Set by the section
Also searched as driving on a suspended license, revoked license, unpaid ticket
Driving while the license or privilege is refused, canceled, suspended or revoked in Maryland, or another state's license is.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$500 fine | WhenSuspended for an unanswered or unpaid ticket in another state, or the other reasons in subsections (h) and (i) |
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$1,000 fine | WhenA first offense: up to 1 year |
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$1,000 fine | WhenA second or later within 3 years of the last: up to 2 years |
Leaving the scene of a crash
TRAFFIC to FELONY · up to Set by the section
Also searched as hit and run, drove off after a crash, leaving the scene
Failing to stop, return and remain at the scene of a crash that injures or kills someone, or failing to give the required information and aid.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$500 fine | WhenFailing the information and aid duties: up to 2 months |
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$3,000 fine | WhenLeaving after a crash causing bodily injury: up to 1 year |
| TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penalty | Set by the section$5,000 fine | WhenLeaving after a crash causing a death: up to 5 years |
| FELONYFelony | Set by the section$5,000 fine | WhenSerious bodily injury the driver knew or should have known might result: up to 5 years |
| FELONYFelony | Set by the section$10,000 fine | WhenA death the driver knew or should have known might result: up to 10 years |
Wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun
MISD · up to Set by the section
Also searched as carrying without a permit, gun in the car, handgun charge
Wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun, concealed or open, on or about the person or in a vehicle on a public road, without a permit or another exception.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$250 to $2,500 fine | WhenNo prior conviction: at least 30 days and up to 5 years |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the sectionSet by the section fine | WhenNo prior conviction, on public school property: at least 90 days |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the sectionSet by the section fine | WhenOne prior conviction: at least 1 year and up to 10 years |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the sectionSet by the section fine | WhenMore than one prior: at least 3 years and up to 10 years |
Interception of communications
FELONY · up to Set by the section
Also searched as wiretapping, secret recording, recording a call, two party consent
Willfully intercepting a wire, oral or electronic communication, or disclosing or using one known to have been intercepted unlawfully, without the prior consent of all the parties.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| FELONYFelony | Set by the section$10,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case: up to 5 years |
An oral communication is words spoken in private conversation; a conversation that is not private is outside the definition.
Cannabis and controlled substance possession
CIVIL to MISD · up to Set by the section
Also searched as weed, marijuana possession, smoking in public, drug possession
Possessing cannabis beyond what the law allows, smoking it in public, or possessing another controlled dangerous substance without a prescription.
| Kind | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| CIVILCivil offense | No jail$50 fine | WhenSmoking in a public place, a first time |
| CIVILCivil offense | No jail$100 fine | WhenThe personal use amount, under 21 |
| CIVILCivil offense | No jail$150 fine | WhenSmoking in a public place, a second or later time |
| CIVILCivil offense | No jail$250 fine | WhenThe civil use amount, over 1.5 up to 2.5 ounces |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$1,000 fine | WhenMore than the civil use amount: up to 6 months |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Set by the section$5,000 fine | WhenAnother controlled dangerous substance, a first conviction: up to 1 year |
At 21 or older, the personal use amount, up to 1.5 ounces, is not a crime. A civil adjudication is not a criminal conviction for any purpose.
Every kind of offense on this page, for reference
The kind of offense does not fix the penalty in Maryland; the section does. Second degree assault is a misdemeanor carrying up to 10 years.
- CIVILCivil offenseNo jailSet by the section
- TRAFFICTraffic offense with its own penaltySet by the sectionSet by the section
- MISDMisdemeanorSet by the sectionSet by the section
- FELONYFelonySet by the sectionSet by the section
Words on a charging document
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
20 words
- Disorderly conductWillfully acting in a disorderly manner that disturbs the public peace, failing to obey a reasonable and lawful order to prevent a disturbance, or making unreasonably loud noise. Up to 60 days, a $500 fine, or both.
- ExpungementRemoving police and court records of a conviction on petition, after a wait from completion of the sentence: 5 years for most listed misdemeanors, 7 for second degree assault.
- False statementA statement, report or complaint to a law enforcement officer known to be false, made with intent to deceive and to cause an investigation or other action. A misdemeanor carrying up to 6 months, a $500 fine, or both.
- Fleeing or eludingTrying to elude a uniformed officer or a marked police vehicle that signals a stop, by willfully failing to stop, fleeing on foot, or any other means.
- Handgun permitThe State permit to wear, carry or transport a handgun, concealed or open, issued to an applicant at least 21 who completes at least 16 hours of in person training.
- HarassmentFollowing someone in public, watching their home, or a malicious course of conduct that alarms or seriously annoys, with intent to harass, after a reasonable warning or request to stop. Up to 90 days for a first offense.
- HazingRecklessly or intentionally doing an act or creating a situation that subjects a student to the risk of serious bodily injury for the purpose of initiation into a student organization of a school, college or university.
- Malicious destructionWillfully and maliciously destroying, injuring or defacing another's property. Less than $1,000 in damage carries up to 60 days, a $500 fine, or both.
- Misdemeanor limitationExcept as the section and the provisions it lists provide, a prosecution for a misdemeanor is instituted within 1 year after the offense was committed.
- Negligent drivingDriving in a careless or imprudent manner that endangers property or anyone's life or person. A fine of up to $750.
- Nolle prosequiThe prosecutor's decision to drop a charge, one of the outcomes that allows a petition to expunge.
- Observed in possessionThe condition for stopping or charging anyone on suspicion of drinking under 21: the individual has to be observed in possession of an alcoholic beverage.
- Personal recognizanceRelease on a promise to appear without money put up, when the court believes the defendant will appear as required.
- Personal use amountUp to 1.5 ounces of usable cannabis, 12 grams of concentrate or 750 milligrams of THC in products. Possessing it at 21 or older is not a crime.
- Posted propertyProperty marked against trespass by signs where they can reasonably be seen, or by paint marks at each road entrance and along the boundaries. Entering it is trespass, up to 90 days for a first violation.
- Probation before judgmentAn outcome that lets a person petition to expunge the records of the charge, after probation ends or 3 years, whichever is later.
- Resisting arrestIntentionally resisting a lawful arrest, or interfering with an officer making a lawful arrest of another. A misdemeanor carrying up to 3 years, a $5,000 fine, or both.
- Second degree assaultAny assault, a misdemeanor carrying up to 10 years, a $2,500 fine, or both.
- StalkingA malicious course of conduct meant or reasonably known to place someone in reasonable fear of serious harm, or to cause serious emotional distress. Up to 5 years, a $5,000 fine, or both.
- TheftOne offense folding in the old ones: unauthorized control, deception, possessing stolen property, keeping lost property, and getting services by deception. Less than $100 is a misdemeanor carrying up to 90 days.
About this guide — maximums, not predictions. What a specific case carries turns on priors, the facts, and the court, and only a licensed Maryland attorney can tell you what yours is. Current as of October 2026.