2023 Maryland Statutes
Transportation
Title 26 - Vehicle Laws -- Parties and Procedure on Citation, Arrest, Trial, and Appeal
Subtitle 2 - Citation and Arrest
Section 26-202 - Power of Arrest

    (a)    A police officer may arrest without a warrant a person for a violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law, including any rule or regulation adopted under it, or for a violation of any traffic law or ordinance of any local authority of this State, if:

        (1)    The person has committed or is committing the violation within the view or presence of the officer, and the violation is any of the following:

            (i)    A violation of § 21–1411 or § 22–409 of this article, relating to vehicles transporting hazardous materials; or

            (ii)    A violation of § 24–111 or § 24–111.1 of this article, relating to the failure or refusal to submit a vehicle to a weighing or to remove excess weight from it;

        (2)    The person has committed or is committing the violation within the view or presence of the officer, and either:

            (i)    The person does not furnish satisfactory evidence of identity; or

            (ii)    The officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person will disregard a traffic citation;

        (3)    The officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed the violation, and the violation is any of the following offenses:

            (i)    Driving or attempting to drive while under the influence of alcohol, while impaired by alcohol, or in violation of an alcohol restriction;

            (ii)    Driving or attempting to drive while impaired by any drug, any combination of drugs, or any combination of one or more drugs and alcohol or while impaired by any controlled dangerous substance;

            (iii)    Failure to stop, give information, or render reasonable assistance, as required by §§ 20–102 and 20–104 of this article, in the event of an accident resulting in bodily injury to or death of any person;

            (iv)    Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while the driver’s license or privilege to drive is suspended or revoked;

            (v)    Failure to stop or give information, as required by §§ 20–103 through 20–105 of this article, in the event of an accident resulting in damage to a vehicle or other property;

            (vi)    Any offense that caused or contributed to an accident resulting in bodily injury to or death of any person;

            (vii)    Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer;

            (viii)    Driving or attempting to drive a vehicle in violation of § 16–101 of this article;

            (ix)    A violation of § 14–110(b), (c), (d), or (e) of this article; or

            (x)    A violation of § 21–1116(a) of this article that results in serious bodily injury to another person;

        (4)    The person is a nonresident and the officer has probable cause to believe that:

            (i)    The person has committed the violation; and

            (ii)    The violation contributed to an accident; or

        (5)    The officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed the violation, and, subject to the procedures set forth in § 26–203 of this subtitle, the person is issued a traffic citation and refuses to acknowledge its receipt by signature.

    (b)    An arrest under this section shall be made in the same manner as, and without more force than, in misdemeanor cases.

    (c)    A person arrested under this section shall be taken without unnecessary delay before a District Court commissioner, as specified in § 26-401 of this title, unless the arresting officer in his discretion releases the individual upon the individual’s written promise to appear for trial.