2021 Maryland Statutes
Criminal Law
Title 9 - Crimes Against Public Administration
Subtitle 2 - Bribery
Section 9-201 - Bribery of Public Employee

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

        (2)    “Political subdivision” includes a:

            (i)    county;

            (ii)    municipal corporation;

            (iii)    bi–county or multicounty agency;

            (iv)    county board of education;

            (v)    public authority; or

            (vi)    special taxing district that is not a homeowner’s association.

        (3)    (i)    “Public employee” means an officer or employee of:

                1.    the State; or

                2.    a political subdivision of the State.

            (ii)    “Public employee” includes:

                1.    an executive officer of the State;

                2.    a judge of the State;

                3.    a judicial officer of the State;

                4.    a member or officer of the General Assembly;

                5.    a member of the police force of Baltimore City or the Department of State Police; and

                6.    a member, officer, or executive officer of a political subdivision.

    (b)    A person may not bribe or attempt to bribe a public employee to influence the public employee in the performance of an official duty of the public employee.

    (c)    A public employee may not demand or receive a bribe, fee, reward, or testimonial to:

        (1)    influence the performance of the official duties of the public employee; or

        (2)    neglect or fail to perform the official duties of the public employee.

    (d)    A person who violates this section is guilty of the misdemeanor of bribery and on conviction:

        (1)    is subject to imprisonment for not less than 2 years and not exceeding 12 years or a fine not less than $5,000 and not exceeding $25,000 or both;

        (2)    may not vote; and

        (3)    may not hold an office of trust or profit in the State.

    (e)    A person who violates this section is subject to § 5–106(b) of the Courts Article.

    (f)    (1)    A person who violates this section:

            (i)    is a competent witness; and

            (ii)    subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, may be compelled to testify against any person who may have violated this section.

        (2)    A person compelled to testify for the State under paragraph (1) of this subsection is immune from prosecution for a crime about which the person was compelled to testify.