WHAT THE WORDS MEAN

Also called divorce

A divorce on one of three grounds: a 6 month separation, irreconcilable differences, or mutual consent with a written settlement.

Also called under 21 drinking and driving

The restriction on every Maryland licensee under the age of 21: no driving or attempting to drive with alcohol in the blood.

Also called two party consent, recording a call

The rule that a party to a conversation may record it only where all of the parties have given prior consent. A violation is a felony carrying up to 5 years, a $10,000 fine, or both.

Also called self help repossession limit

The one condition on a secured party that takes collateral back without judicial process, such as a car bought on credit. It may do that only if it proceeds without breach of the peace.

Also called data breach, breach notice

What a business gives notice of to each affected individual as soon as reasonably practicable, and not later than 45 days after it discovers or is notified of the breach. The Office of the Attorney General is told before the individuals are.

Also called car seat, booster seat

The seat a child under the age of 8 years is secured in, following the seat and vehicle manufacturers' instructions, unless the child is 4 feet, 9 inches tall or taller.

Also called prohibited lease clause

A lease provision having the tenant authorize anyone to confess judgment on a claim arising out of the lease, one of the provisions a landlord may not use.

Also called disturbing the peace

Willfully 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.

Also called cooling off period, cancel a sale

A sale the buyer may cancel at any time before midnight of the third business day after the transaction, with a refund of all payments within 10 business days.

Also called DUI, drunk driving

Driving or attempting to drive under the influence of alcohol, or under the influence per se. Up to 1 year or a $1,200 fine for a first offense, and higher when a minor is in the vehicle.

Also called DWI, impaired by alcohol

The lower alcohol offense, carrying up to 2 months or $500 for a first offense.

Also called mandated reporter, child abuse report

The duty of a health practitioner, police officer, educator or human service worker who has reason to believe a child has been abused or neglected to notify the local department or law enforcement, orally as soon as possible and in writing not later than 48 hours after the contact that raised the concern.

Also called sick leave, sick time

Leave accruing at least 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, paid at an employer with 15 or more employees.

Also called Good Samaritan, helping at an accident

Assistance or medical aid given to a victim at the scene of an emergency in a reasonably prudent manner and without fee or other compensation. The individual who gives it is not civilly liable for any act or omission in giving it.

Also called clearing a record

Removing 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.

Also called lying to police, false report

A 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.

Also called protective order, restraining order

The order a judge may grant after a hearing held no later than 7 days after a temporary order is served, lasting up to 1 year.

Also called final paycheck, last paycheck

All wages due for work already performed, paid on or before the day the employee would have been paid had the job continued.

Also called fleeing police

Trying 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.

Also called fired for cause, misconduct

A deliberate and willful disregard of standards the employer rightfully expects, or repeated violations showing a regular and wanton disregard of obligations. A discharge for it disqualifies until earning at least 25 times the weekly benefit amount.

Also called carry permit, wear and carry

The 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.

Also called texting while driving, phone while driving

A phone a driver of a moving vehicle may not use by hand except to start or end a call or turn it on or off. A first offense is a fine up to $75.

Also called harassing

Following 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.

Also called initiation, pledging

Recklessly 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.

Also called holdover, notice to quit

Staying past the end of the lease or tenancy after proper notice, which leaves the tenant owing the actual damages it caused, never less than the rent apportioned for the period. A month to month tenancy takes 60 days' written notice.

Also called test refusal, breath test

Anyone who drives on a Maryland highway is deemed to have consented to a breath or blood test if detained on suspicion of impaired driving. A refusal suspends the license 270 days on a first offense.

Also called alimony, spousal support

Alimony with no end date, when age, illness or disability means a spouse cannot reasonably make substantial progress toward self support, or the standards of living would be unconscionably disparate.

Also called late penalty

A penalty for late rent, which a lease may not set above 5% of the unpaid rent due for that rental period.

Also called lemon

The rule that a defect reported by certified mail within the earlier of 18,000 miles or 24 months is repaired free, and if not fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, the vehicle is replaced or refunded at the consumer's option.

Also called itemized statement, deposit deductions

The written list of damages claimed and itemized statement of the cost, mailed first class within 45 days whenever any part of the deposit is withheld.

Also called property damage, vandalism

Willfully 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.

Also called time limit to charge, criminal statute of limitations

Except as the section and the provisions it lists provide, a prosecution for a misdemeanor is instituted within 1 year after the offense was committed.

Also called marital property, dividing property

A payment the court may grant after deciding what is marital property and its value, weighing each spouse's monetary and nonmonetary contributions to the family.

Also called use of force standard

The standard for police force: under the totality of the circumstances, force has to be necessary and proportional to prevent an imminent threat of physical injury or to carry out a legitimate law enforcement objective.

Also called careless driving

Driving in a careless or imprudent manner that endangers property or anyone's life or person. A fine of up to $750.

Also called unannounced entry

A warrant to enter without announcing, which needs written approval from a police supervisor and the State's Attorney and a showing that announcing would endanger lives, executed between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. absent exigent circumstances.

Also called nol pros, stet

The prosecutor's decision to drop a charge, one of the outcomes that allows a petition to expunge.

Also called 10 day notice, eviction notice

The written notice, on a form the Maryland Judiciary created, that the landlord gives before filing for unpaid rent, saying the landlord will file if the tenant does not cure within 10 days.

Also called minor in possession, underage drinking

The condition for stopping or charging anyone on suspicion of drinking under 21: the individual has to be observed in possession of an alcoholic beverage.

Also called open container

Where the driver and passengers sit while the vehicle is moving, and anywhere they can readily reach. A driver may not drink alcohol, or smoke or consume cannabis, there on a highway.

Also called ROR, bail

Release on a promise to appear without money put up, when the court believes the defendant will appear as required.

Also called cannabis, marijuana

Up 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.

Also called EP, emergency petition, mental health hold

A petition made only if the petitioner has reason to believe an individual has a mental disorder and presents a danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others. A clinician who examined the individual, a peace officer who personally observed them, or any other interested person may make one.

Also called trespass, no trespassing

Property 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.

Also called oral communication

The statute's oral communication is words spoken in private conversation.

Also called PBJ

An outcome that lets a person petition to expunge the records of the charge, after probation ends or 3 years, whichever is later.

Also called PIA request, public records

A request to inspect public records, which a custodian grants or denies promptly and no more than 30 days after receiving it.

Also called meeting notice, open meetings notice

The notice a public body gives before meeting in a closed or open session: whenever reasonable in writing, with the date, time and place, and stating if part or all of the meeting may be held in closed session.

Also called get the car back, redeem a repossessed car

Getting collateral back by tendering fulfillment of all obligations it secures, plus the reasonable expenses and attorney's fees the Code describes. A debtor, a secondary obligor, or another secured party or lienholder may do it.

Also called withholding rent, repairs

The tenant's action to pay rent into court over a defect that is a fire hazard or a serious and substantial threat to life, health or safety, once the landlord fails to repair within a reasonable time.

Also called resisting, interfering

Intentionally 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.

Also called retaliatory eviction

Bringing or threatening an action for possession, raising rent or cutting services because the tenant complained in good faith, took part in a lawsuit or tenants' organization, or because someone called the police to the property.

Also called pay and stay

After a judgment for rent, the tenant's right to keep the home by paying everything the court found due plus costs and fees, at any time before the eviction is actually carried out.

Also called warrant

A judge's warrant issued on a sworn application establishing probable cause. The search has to be made within 10 calendar days after it is issued.

Also called assault

Any assault, a misdemeanor carrying up to 10 years, a $2,500 fine, or both.

Also called seat belt

A rule an officer may enforce only once a driver has been detained for something else, as with the rear seat belt rule for passengers 16 and older.

Also called deposit

A deposit of no more than the equivalent of 1 month's rent per dwelling unit, returned with simple interest within 45 days after the tenancy ends, less damages rightfully withheld.

Also called judgment, contract under seal

A judgment, a bond, or a note or contract under seal, on which an action has 12 years from accrual.

Also called 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. Up to 5 years, a $5,000 fine, or both.

Also called correcting a medical record, record amendment

A concise statement a person in interest may insert in a medical record after a provider's final refusal to make an addition or correction. It travels with the record whenever the record is disclosed.

Also called time limit, old debt

The time to file: three years from the day a civil action accrues, unless another provision sets a different period.

Also called MVA hearing

The license an officer issues on a refusal or a result of 0.08 or more, good for 45 days for a Maryland licensee.

Also called consolidated theft, shoplifting

One 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.

Also called wage garnishment, garnishment

Taking part of a debtor's wages, from which the greater of 75 percent of disposable wages or 30 times the State minimum hourly wage per week is exempt.

Also called eviction warrant

The court's warrant putting the landlord back in possession, executed by a sheriff or constable, which can issue only after 7 days pass without the tenant complying with the judgment.

Also called lockout, utility shutoff

Intentionally interrupting heat, running water, hot water, electricity or gas to force a tenant out, one of the ways a landlord may not take possession.