This list is not all inclusive and there is no guarantee that the information is accurate or up to date. Statute -- An act of the General Assembly declaring, commanding, or prohibiting something. Minor -- An individual under the age of 18 (eighteen) years. Defendant -- The person against whom a suit is filed, or in a criminal action, who has been charged with a violation of the law or criminal wrong doing. Review of Sentence -- Review of a criminal sentence by a three judge panel (excluding the sentencing judge) on application of the defendant; as a result of the review, the sentence may be increased, decreased, or remain unchanged. Supplementary Proceedings -- Proceedings supplementary to an execution, directed to the discovery of a debtors property and the application of the property to the debt for which the execution is issued. List of Common Abbreviations for Criminal Charges Nolo Contendere (Trans: I will not contest it.) -- The name of a plea in a criminal action having the same legal effect as a plea of guilty so far as regards all proceedings in the case and on which the defendant may be sentenced. Not included are investigatory files, police work-product records used solely for police investigation purposes, or records pertaining to nonincarcerable violations of the vehicle laws of the State or of any other traffic law, ordinance, or regulation. Judgment -- The final order of the court; in a criminal case, the conviction and sentence constitute the judgment, so there is no judgment until sentence is imposed. Prosecuting Attorney or Prosecutor -- A public officer whose duty is the prosecution of criminal proceedings on behalf of the citizens of the state; most often refers to a States Attorney or Assistant States Attorney but, for some crimes, can be the State Prosecutor or Attorney General. Petition for Expungement -- A written request for expungement of Court and police records. ADA -- A Federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities (Americans with Disabilities Act). Insanity Plea -- A claim that the defendant lacks the soundness of mind required by law to accept responsibility for a criminal act. In January 2006, CaseSearch was introduced to satisfy information requests commonly received in the court clerks' offices. An order entered by a judge suspending or postponing a proceeding or execution of an action before the Court. Battery -- The unlawful application of physical force to, or offensive touching of, another without the individuals consent. Alias (Otherwise called) -- indicating one was called by one or the other of two names. Appellate Court of Maryland -- Marylands intermediate appellate court wherein review is ordinarily a matter of right. Exception -- A formal objection to an action of the court during trial, evidencing the objecting partys disagreement with the courts ruling and preserving the matter for review on appeal. Charging Document -- A written accusation alleging that a defendant has committed an offense, including a citation, an indictment, an information, and or a statement of charges. CaseSearch provides internet access to information from Maryland case records as described in the Maryland Rules on Access to Court Records (Rules 16-1001 through 16-1011). Case Law -- Decisions of federal and state courts interpreting and applying laws in specific fact situations; opinions are reported in various volumes. Presentment Before Grand Jury -- Presentation of evidence, including testimony of witnesses, by the States Attorney to the grand jury to establish probable cause that the accused committed the alleged offense and to seek issuance of an indictment. A witness who fails to comply with a subpoena. Contract --A written or verbal agreement for the exchange of goods or services between at least two parties. Costs -- Fees and charges required by law to be paid to the court, the amount of which is fixed by statute or court rule. Defendant -- The person against whom a suit is filed, or in a criminal action, who has been charged with a violation of the law or criminal wrong doing. Maryland County Codes | Maryland Courts Central Repository -- The Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Case codes can be found at Michigan Case Type Codes. EVENT CODES TRAFFIC ACHG/Accounts Receivable Change ADDL/Additional Paper in District Free-form comment ADDR/ Defendant Address Changed ADEL/Accounts Receivable Delete APPL/Appeal Filed Free-form comment AWDR/Appeal Withdrawn Free-form comment BALR/Bail Review Hearing Date/Bond Received Date; Bail Amount; Defendant Status Code; Percentage Modifications can be ordered in open and closed cases. Restitution -- The act of making good or giving equivalent of any loss, damage, or injury. and prior criminal record of the defendant and, in certain cases, a victim impact statement. Incompetency -- Lack of capacity to understand the nature and object of the proceedings, to consult with counsel, and to assist in preparing a defense. Consecutive Sentences -- Upon conviction of multiple counts/charges in one or more cases, sentences must be served one after the other, rather than at the same time (see: concurrent sentence). Definitions & Acronyms | Maryland Courts Alford Plea -- A special type of guilty plea by which the defendant does not admit guilt but concedes that the State has sufficient evidence to convict; normally made to avoid the threat of greater punishment. Adjudication -- A judgment or decision of a court or jury regarding a case. Stay -- Hold in abeyance. Oral Examination -- A request by plaintiff (judgment creditor) to discover the assets of a defendant (judgment debtor) after entry of judgment. In Forma Pauperis -- Frequently used by inmates filing papers to seek waiver of prepayment of filing fees in State courts. Attachment -- The process of apprehending a person (as in a body attachment) or seizing property to satisfy a judgment. Preliminary Inquiry -- Pre-trial hearing to determine that the defendant has received a copy of the charging document and under-stands the offenses with which he is charged and the penalties thereof. Appellant -- The party who takes an appeal from one court to another. Bifurcate -- To try issues separately, such as criminal responsibility and guilt in a criminal proceeding and liability and damages in a civil action. Custodia Legis -- In the custody of the law; property that has been lawfully taken, by authority of legal process, and remains in the possession of a public officer or an officer of a court empowered by law to hold the property. District Court -- Lowest State trial court; a court of limited jurisdiction. Insanity Plea -- A claim that the defendant lacks the soundness of mind required by law to accept responsibility for a criminal act. Arraignment -- The procedure whereby the accused is brought before the court to plead to the criminal charge in the indictment or information. Wrongful Detainer -- (formerly known as Forcible Entry and Detainer) A proceeding for regaining possession from someone who has wrongfully taken or refused to surrender possession of property. Burden of Proof -- The necessity of proving facts at issue in Maryland, the criminal burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt; the civil burden of proof is by a preponderance of the evidence, or sometimes by clear and convincing evidence.. Public Defender -- Counsel provided at public expense, primarily to defend indigent defendants in criminal cases. Ecitation -- The electronic version of the MD Uniform Complaint and Citation (traffic citation). The chart includes only case types and cause codes that can be entered in or converted to JIS. Return -- The act of a sheriff, constable, or other ministerial officer in delivering back to the court a writ, notice, or other paper which he was required to serve or execute with a brief account of his doings under the mandate, the time and mode of service or execution or his failure to accomplish it, as the case may be. Appearance -- A coming into the court in person or by filing a paper, as plaintiff, defendant, or legal representative. Bail Bond -- A written obligation of a defendant, with or without a surety or collateral security, conditioned on the appearance of a defendant as required and providing for the payment of a penalty sum according to its terms; includes a surety bond posted by a surety insurer or bail bondsman and backed by the insurers pledge; a cash bond secured by deposited cash; a property bond secured by pledged personal property or a lien on real property; and/or an unsecured bond. Explore the common criminal charge abbreviations used with juveniles. Guilty -- The word used by an accused in pleading to the charges when he confesses to committing the crime of which he is charged. Count -- A separate charge in a charging document or separate cause of action in a civil complaint. Trial De Novo -- From the beginning; appeal in which the reviewing court completely retries the case. Writ -- A written order issued by a court and addressed to a sheriff or other person whose action the court desires to command to require performance of a specified act or to give authority to have the act done. Witness -- One who testifies to what he has seen, heard, or otherwise observed and who is not necessarily a party to the action. Circuit Court for St. Mary's County, MD - Clerk's Office Writ of Habeas Corpus -- A court order compelling a Warden/Sheriff to bring a prisoner before a court at a specific date and time, most frequently to determine whether the prisoner is being held lawfully. Accomplice -- A person who knowingly and willingly assists the principal offender in the commission of a crime. Bail Bond Forfeiture -- The failure to satisfy the condition of the bond, namely the appearance in court as required, causing the full penalty amount to become due. 2. Remand -- An action by the court that sends a case to another court or agency for further action. Search -- A written order by a judge directed to a peace officer and commanding him to search for and seize property as described therein. Arrest -- A written order by a judicial officer directed to a peace officer and commanding him to arrest the body of a person named in it who is accused of an offense. Writ of Garnishment of Property -- An order of court commanding that a defendants assets be seized and the money paid to the plaintiff to satisfy a judgment. Pleadings -- The formal allegations by the parties of their respective claims and defenses for the judgment of the court; in criminal matters, this includes a charging document. Quick Reference: Case Search Codes - The Western Maryland Advocate Docket -- A list of the cases to be heard in the court; or a formal record of courts activity. Enforcement -- Action taken to obtain compliance with a court order. Quash -- To set aside or to make void; with respect to process, such as a summons or subpoena, to void on motion of the person served. Immunity from Prosecution -- Protection from prosecution in exchange for testimony that might not otherwise by forthcoming. Judgment of Acquittal -- A judgment entered by the court upon a determination that the States evidence is insufficient to support a conviction and, thus insufficient to go to the jury. Motion -- A request to a court by one or more of the parties for a specific action in a case. Counsel -- A person who is admitted to practice in a court of law and gives legal advice. Speedy Trial -- The right of the accused to a speedy trial as guaranteed by the 6th Amendment of the United States Constitution; in Maryland, the right to be tried within 180 days after initial appearance, unless waived. Modification -- (a change or alteration) An order changing the terms of a prior order of the Court. A party who fails to comply with a court order in a civil action. This is the two week period that an employee works and then is paid for. Probation -- A means of conditionally releasing an individual after trial. In the GR case, the state itself appoints lawyers for the plaintiffs, who are called public prosecutors (PPs). Expungement -- The effective removal of police and/or court record from public inspection. Subpoena -- A writ issued by a court that compels a person to appear and give testimony at a specified time and place. Pardon -- Relief from a conviction (full pardon) or from any further punishment imposed by a conviction (particular pardon) granted by an executive official (governor or president). Presumption -- An inference of the truth or falsehood of a proposition or fact that stands until rebutted by evidence to the contrary. Circuit -- A geographical area including one or more counties over which the courts jurisdiction or a judges representation extends; under Article IV, Sections 14 and 19 of the Constitution of Maryland, there are six appellate circuits in Maryland and eight trial level circuits. Service -- Delivery of a writ, notice, injunction, etc., by an authorized person, to a person who is thereby officially notified of some action or proceeding in which the person is concerned. Triple Seal -- Exemplified copy; a term referring to a certification of a court documents authenticity by signature of the clerk and seal of the court and certification by a judge of the court as to the authenticity of the clerks signature and seal; used to permit admission of the court document in a proceeding in another state under the full faith and credit provision of the U.S. Constitution. (Also known as Reconsideration). Suppress -- To stop, prohibit, prevent, subdue; with respect to evidence, to prevent its use by showing it was obtained illegally or is irrelevant. (Also known as an Oral Examination; formally known as Supplementary Proceeding in aid of enforcement of judgment.). The first name is not required. Use the clear button to clear all fields and begin your search again. Service of Process, Personal -- Service of a summons or other process made by delivering it in person to the person named in the process. Appellate Court -- A court having jurisdiction to review the judgment or order of a lower court. (See: Counsel). On motion of the States Attorney, the court may indefinitely postpone trial of a charge by marking the charge stet on the docket. Fine -- A sum of money a person must pay as punishment because of an illegal act or omission. Of no practical importance. On motion of the States Attorney, the court may indefinitely postpone trial of a charge by marking the charge stet on the docket. Affiant -- The person who makes and signs an affidavit. Opinion -- The statement of the courts decision in a case, setting out the reasons for the decision. Indigent -- A person who is unable to afford the expense of a private counsel, payment of fines, and other related costs. Prayer for a Jury Trial -- Request of a defendant in certain cases to be tried by a jury. NC court records often contain abbreviated codes. Bail Bondsman -- The authorized agent of a surety insurer. Oakland County, Maryland < /a > Maryland Judiciary case Search & quot ; and court. Discovery -- Procedures used to obtain the disclosure of evidence before trial, such as: depositions, by oral examination or written questions; written interrogatories; requests for production or inspection of documents; orders for mental or physical examinations; and requests for admissions of fact and genuineness of documents. Appellee -- A party against whom an appeal is taken. Prima Facie -- Evidence good and sufficient on its face. Preliminary Hearing -- A hearing held in the District Court, unless waived by defendant, to determine whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the offense(s); available when offense(s) charged are not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the District Court. Change of Venue -- The transfer or removal of a civil or criminal case from one judicial district to another. Surety Bond -- A bond posted by a surety insurer ensuring that the penalty sum will be paid if the conditions of the bond are not satisfied. General Jurisdiction -- the unlimited authority over cases brought before the court to decide rights and grant remedies available under the law; circuit courts are courts of general jurisdiction. Merged -- The absorption of a lesser included offense into a more serious offense. (Compare Removal). Hicks Waiver -- Waiver of the defendants right to a speedy trial, which is 180 days from the defendants initial appearance, in person or by attorney. Suspend -- To set aside all or part of a sentence. Plea Agreement -- Agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant to exchange a plea of guilty or nolo contendere for reduction in the charge(s) or leniency in sentencing. Please Note: Updated or new information is highlighted. Guardianship Estate (GE) - Guardianship of property for a minor. Judge -- Can be a judge of any court in this state, but most often will be a judge of the court which issued the documents you have before you, or a judge of the court having jurisdiction over the matter before you. Judge -- Can be a judge of any court in this state, but most often will be a judge of the court which issued the documents you have before you, or a judge of the court having jurisdiction over the matter before you. Infraction (Civil) -- A violation of a statute, ordinance, or regulation for which the only penalty authorized is a civil fine. 347, 353.). A witness who fails to comply with a subpoena. Below is the list of Standard Docket Text Abbreviations adopted by this court, as well as a list of abbreviation codes for U.S. Government Agencies. Emergency Evaluation -- Petition filed for issuance of an order by someone other than the subject for an emergency mental and/or physical evaluation that could result in involuntary admission to a facility. Presentence Investigation Report (PSI) -- A confidential report ordered by the judge and produced by the division of parole and probation prior to sentencing, to provide background information (job, finances, family status, community ties, etc.) Supplementary Proceedings -- Proceedings supplementary to an execution, directed to the discovery of a debtors property and the application of the property to the debt for which the execution is issued. Minor -- An individual under the age of 18 (eighteen) years. Incarceration -- Imprisonment; confinement in a jail or penitentiary. Motor Vehicle (MV) - Transfer of motor vehicle only. Hearsay -- Evidence offered by a witness based on what others have said. Commitment Order -- A court order directing that a person be kept in custody, usually in a penal or mental facility. Regular Estate Judicial (RJ) - A proceeding conducted by the Orphans' Court when matters cannot be handled administratively. (Compare Public, Shielded, or Confidential Record). Case Search - Frequently Asked Questions | Maryland Courts (Compare Removal). Certiorari (writ of) (Trans: to be more fully informed) -- The process by which an appellate court calls for the records of a case from a lower court for review. Prayer for a Jury Trial -- Request of a defendant in certain cases to be tried by a jury. This free program copies your interview answers directly into your court form exactly as you enter it. and prior criminal record of the defendant and, in certain cases, a victim impact statement. Not included are investigatory files, police work-product records used solely for police investigation purposes, or records pertaining to nonincarcerable violations of the vehicle laws of the State or of any other traffic law, ordinance, or regulation. Shielded Record -- A record or information in a record removed from public inspection by a judge or commissioner. The Maryland Judiciary strives to protect the integrity of the information regarding cases and respective parties stored in its applications and systems. Crimes of Violence -- Maryland Law provides a definition for Crimes of Violence as they relate to mandatory sentences in certain crimes and crimes of violence relating to pistols and revolvers.