2022 Maryland Statutes
Criminal Procedure
Title 8 - Other Postconviction Review
Subtitle 3 - Newly Discovered Evidence
Section 8-302 - Motion to Vacate Judgment for Acts of Prostitution Committed Under Duress

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

        (2)    “Qualifying offense” means:

            (i)    unnatural or perverted sexual practice under § 3–322 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (ii)    possessing or administering a controlled dangerous substance under § 5–601 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (iii)    possessing or purchasing a noncontrolled substance under § 5–618 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (iv)    possessing or distributing controlled paraphernalia under § 5–620(a)(2) of the Criminal Law Article;

            (v)    fourth–degree burglary under § 6–205 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (vi)    malicious destruction of property in the lesser degree under § 6–301(c) of the Criminal Law Article;

            (vii)    a trespass offense under Title 6, Subtitle 4 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (viii)    misdemeanor theft under § 7–104 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (ix)    misdemeanor obtaining property or services by bad check under § 8–103 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (x)    possession or use of a fraudulent government identification document under § 8–303 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (xi)    public assistance fraud under § 8–503 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (xii)    false statement to a law enforcement officer or public official under § 9–501, § 9–502, or § 9–503 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (xiii)    disturbing the public peace and disorderly conduct under § 10–201 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (xiv)    indecent exposure under § 11–107 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (xv)    prostitution under § 11–303 of the Criminal Law Article;

            (xvi)    driving with a suspended registration under § 13–401(h) of the Transportation Article;

            (xvii)    failure to display registration under § 13–409(b) of the Transportation Article;

            (xviii)    driving without a license under § 16–101 of the Transportation Article;

            (xix)    failure to display license to police under § 16–112(c) of the Transportation Article;

            (xx)    possession of a suspended license under § 16–301(j) of the Transportation Article;

            (xxi)    driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, refused, or revoked under § 16–303 of the Transportation Article;

            (xxii)    owner failure to maintain security on a vehicle under § 17–104(b) of the Transportation Article;

            (xxiii)    driving while uninsured under § 17–107 of the Transportation Article; or

            (xxiv)    prostitution or loitering as prohibited under local law.

        (3)    “Victim of human trafficking” means a person who has been subjected to an act of another committed in violation of:

            (i)    Title 3, Subtitle 11 of the Criminal Law Article; or

            (ii)    § 1589, § 1590, § 1591, or § 1594(a) of Title 18 of the United States Code.

    (b)    A person convicted of a qualifying offense may file a motion to vacate the judgment if the person’s participation in the offense was a direct result of being a victim of human trafficking.

    (c)    A motion filed under this section shall:

        (1)    be in writing;

        (2)    be made within a reasonable period of time after the conviction;

        (3)    describe the evidence and include copies of any documents showing that the movant is entitled to relief under this section;

        (4)    be served on the State’s Attorney in the jurisdiction where the conviction for the qualifying offense occurred; and

        (5)    if the qualifying offense occurred within 5 years before the filing of the motion, be mailed to any victim or victim’s representative at the victim’s or victim’s representative’s last known address.

    (d)    (1)    The court may grant a motion filed under this section on a finding based on a preponderance of the evidence that the movant committed the qualifying offense as a direct result of being a victim of human trafficking.

        (2)    When making a finding under this subsection, the court shall consider:

            (i)    the length of time between the offense and the trafficking of the movant;

            (ii)    the dynamics of the relationship between the movant and the person committing trafficking against the movant; and

            (iii)    any other relevant evidence.

    (e)    The court may grant a motion filed under this section without a hearing if:

        (1)    the State’s Attorney consents to the motion;

        (2)    no objection to the relief requested has been filed by a victim or victim’s representative; and

        (3)    at least 60 days have elapsed since notice and service under subsection (c) of this section.

    (f)    The court may dismiss a motion filed under this section without a hearing if the court finds that:

        (1)    the motion fails to assert grounds on which relief may be granted;

        (2)    the motion offers no additional evidence beyond that which has previously been considered by the court; or

        (3)    the movant acted fraudulently or in bad faith in filing the motion.

    (g)    (1)    If a court grants a motion filed under this section, the court shall vacate the conviction.

        (2)    The court shall state the reasons for its ruling on the record.

    (h)    A movant in a proceeding under this section has the burden of proof.

    (i)    A conviction that has been vacated under this section may not be considered a conviction for any purpose.