Criminal Citations/Traffic Citations

Citations

I. PURPOSE

The Maryland Uniform Criminal Citation and Uniform Traffic Citation were designed to provide a single format for which police officers can charge a defendant with violations of certain criminal, traffic, and/or civil code statutes. This policy addresses the implementation of the criminal and traffic citation format as it applies to the enforcement powers of the Field Enforcement Bureau (FEB).

II. LIMITATIONS OF USE

The criminal citation may be used as an alternative to a “custodial arrest.” The citation allows the agent to use discretion as to whether the defendant should be arrested or simply be issued a criminal or traffic citation and allowed to leave, pending an appearance in District Court. Traffic citations may be issued as authorized by the District Court and criminal citations are covered under the restrictions indicated below. The citation MAY NOT be issued in any of the following situations:

A. Criminal violations, which carry a punishment more than (90) days imprisonment.

B. Juvenile criminal violations.

III. CANCELLATION

None.