Section 4-202 - Transfer of criminal cases to juvenile court.
§ 4-202. Transfer of criminal cases to juvenile court.
(a) Definitions.-
(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) "Victim" has the meaning stated in § 11-104 of this article.
(3) "Victim's representative" has the meaning stated in § 11-104 of this article.
(b) When transfer allowed.- Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a court exercising criminal jurisdiction in a case involving a child may transfer the case to the juvenile court before trial or before a plea is entered under Maryland Rule 4-242 if:
(1) the accused child was at least 14 but not 18 years of age when the alleged crime was committed;
(2) the alleged crime is excluded from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court under § 3-8A-03(d)(1), (4), or (5) of the Courts Article; and
(3) the court determines by a preponderance of the evidence that a transfer of its jurisdiction is in the interest of the child or society.
(c) Transfer prohibited.- The court may not transfer a case to the juvenile court under subsection (b) of this section if:
(1) the child previously has been transferred to juvenile court and adjudicated delinquent;
(2) the child was convicted in an unrelated case excluded from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court under § 3-8A-03(d)(1) or (4) of the Courts Article; or
(3) the alleged crime is murder in the first degree and the accused child was 16 or 17 years of age when the alleged crime was committed.
(d) Transfer criteria.- In determining whether to transfer jurisdiction under subsection (b) of this section, the court shall consider:
(1) the age of the child;
(2) the mental and physical condition of the child;
(3) the amenability of the child to treatment in an institution, facility, or program available to delinquent children;
(4) the nature of the alleged crime; and
(5) the public safety.
(e) Study concerning child.- In making a determination under this section, the court may order that a study be made concerning the child, the family of the child, the environment of the child, and other matters concerning the disposition of the case.
(f) Transfer determination.- The court shall make a transfer determination within 10 days after the date of a transfer hearing.
(g) Procedures on transfer - Juvenile court.- If the court transfers its jurisdiction under this section, the court may order the child held for an adjudicatory hearing under the regular procedure of the juvenile court.
(h) Holding in juvenile facility.-
(1) Pending a determination under this section to transfer its jurisdiction, the court may order a child to be held in a secure juvenile facility.
(2) A hearing on a motion requesting that a child be held in a juvenile facility pending a transfer determination shall be held not later than the next court day, unless extended by the court for good cause shown.
(i) Rights of victims.-
(1) A victim or victim's representative shall be given notice of the transfer hearing as provided under § 11-104 of this article.
(2) (i) A victim or a victim's representative may submit a victim impact statement to the court as provided in § 11-402 of this article.
(ii) This paragraph does not preclude a victim or victim's representative who has not filed a notification request form under § 11-104 of this article from submitting a victim impact statement to the court.
(iii) The court shall consider a victim impact statement in determining whether to transfer jurisdiction under this section.
(j) Disposition by District Court.- At a bail review or preliminary hearing before the District Court involving a child whose case is eligible for transfer under subsection (b) of this section, the District Court may order that a study be made under the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, or that the child be held in a secure juvenile facility under the provisions of subsection (h) of this section, regardless of whether the District Court has criminal jurisdiction over the case.
[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 594A; 2001, ch. 10, § 2; ch. 415, § 6; ch. 463; 2002, ch. 159.]