2020 Maryland Statutes
Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Title 12 - Appeals, Certiorari, and Certification of Questions
Subtitle 3 - Review of Decisions of Trial Courts of General Jurisdiction
Section 12-302 - Right of Appeal From Final Judgments -- Exceptions

    (a)    Unless a right to appeal is expressly granted by law, § 12–301 of this subtitle does not permit an appeal from a final judgment of a court entered or made in the exercise of appellate jurisdiction in reviewing the decision of the District Court, an administrative agency, or a local legislative body.

    (b)    Section 12–301 of this subtitle does not apply to appeals in contempt cases, which are governed by § 12–304 of this subtitle and § 12–402 of this title.

    (c)    (1)    In a criminal case, the State may appeal as provided in this subsection.

        (2)    The State may appeal from a final judgment granting a motion to dismiss or quashing or dismissing any indictment, information, presentment, or inquisition.

        (3)    The State may appeal from a final judgment if the State alleges that the trial judge:

            (i)    Failed to impose the sentence specifically mandated by the Code; or

            (ii)    Imposed or modified a sentence in violation of the Maryland Rules.

        (4)    (i)    In a case involving a crime of violence as defined in § 14–101 of the Criminal Law Article, and in cases under §§ 5–602 through 5–609 and §§ 5–612 through 5–614 of the Criminal Law Article, the State may appeal from a decision of a trial court that excludes evidence offered by the State or requires the return of property alleged to have been seized in violation of the Constitution of the United States, the Maryland Constitution, or the Maryland Declaration of Rights.

            (ii)    The appeal shall be made before jeopardy attaches to the defendant. However, in all cases the appeal shall be taken no more than 15 days after the decision has been rendered and shall be diligently prosecuted.

            (iii)    Before taking the appeal, the State shall certify to the court that the appeal is not taken for purposes of delay and that the evidence excluded or the property required to be returned is substantial proof of a material fact in the proceeding. The appeal shall be heard and the decision rendered within 120 days of the time that the record on appeal is filed in the appellate court. Otherwise, the decision of the trial court shall be final.

            (iv)    Except in a homicide case, if the State appeals on the basis of this paragraph, and if on final appeal the decision of the trial court is affirmed, the charges against the defendant shall be dismissed in the case from which the appeal was taken. In that case, the State may not prosecute the defendant on those specific charges or on any other related charges arising out of the same incident.

            (v)    1.    Except as provided in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, pending the prosecution and determination of an appeal taken under this paragraph or paragraph (2) of this subsection, the defendant shall be released on personal recognizance bail. If the defendant fails to appear as required by the terms of the recognizance bail, the trial court shall subject the defendant to the penalties provided in § 5–211 of the Criminal Procedure Article.

                2.    A.    Pending the prosecution and determination of an appeal taken under this paragraph or paragraph (2) of this subsection, in a case in which the defendant is charged with a crime of violence, as defined in § 14–101 of the Criminal Law Article, the court may release the defendant on any terms and conditions that the court considers appropriate or may order the defendant remanded to custody pending the outcome of the appeal.

                B.    The determination and enforcement of any terms and conditions of release shall be in accordance with the provisions of Title 5 of the Criminal Procedure Article.

            (vi)    If the State loses the appeal, the jurisdiction shall pay all the costs related to the appeal, including reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the defendant as a result of the appeal.

    (d)    Section 12–301 of this subtitle does not permit an appeal from the decision of the judges of a circuit court sitting in banc pursuant to Article IV, § 22 of the Maryland Constitution, if the party seeking to appeal is the party who moved to have the point or question reserved for consideration of the court in banc.

    (e)    (1)    In this subsection, “conditional plea of guilty” means a guilty plea with which the defendant preserves in writing any pretrial issues that the defendant intends to appeal.

        (2)    Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, § 12–301 of this subtitle does not permit an appeal from a final judgment entered following a plea of guilty in a circuit court. Review of such a judgment shall be sought by application for leave to appeal.

        (3)    An appeal from a final judgment entered following a conditional plea of guilty may be taken in accordance with the Maryland Rules.

    (f)    Section 12–301 of this subtitle does not permit an appeal from the order of a sentence review panel of a circuit court under Title 8 of the Criminal Procedure Article, unless the panel increases the sentence.

    (g)    Section 12–301 of this subtitle does not permit an appeal from an order of a circuit court revoking probation. Review of an order of a circuit court revoking probation shall be sought by application for leave to appeal.