Release Before Trial
Crim. Proc. § 5-101 — personal recognizance where the court believes the defendant will appear
The section is to be read liberally toward relying on criminal sanctions, rather than the loss of money, to make sure a defendant appears. If, from all the circumstances, the court believes a minor or adult defendant will appear as required, the defendant may be released on personal recognizance, a promise to appear without money put up.
Personal recognizance is not available to a defendant charged with a crime punishable by life without parole, or charged with one of the crimes listed in § 5-202(d) after a conviction for one of them. Failing to appear after release on recognizance carries its own penalties.
Sources for this section (1)
- Md. Code, Crim. Proc. § 5-101 — Release on personal recognizance
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.