§ 26-201. Authority to charge; issuance and contents of traffic citations.

(a) Authority of police officer to charge.- A police officer may charge a person with a violation of any of the following, if the officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed or is committing the violation:

(1) The Maryland Vehicle Law, including any rule or regulation adopted under any of its provisions;

(2) A traffic law or ordinance of any local authority;

(3) Title 9, Subtitle 2 of the Tax - General Article;

(4) Title 9, Subtitle 3 of the Tax - General Article;

(5) Title 10, Subtitle 4 of the Business Regulation Article;

(6) § 10-323 of the Business Regulation Article; or

(7) § 10-323.2 of the Business Regulation Article.

(b) Issuance of citation.- A police officer who charges a person under this section shall issue a written traffic citation to the person charged.

(c) Contents of citation.- A traffic citation issued to a person under this section shall contain:

(1) A notice to appear in court, including a notice that, if the offense is not punishable by incarceration, the person may request a hearing regarding sentencing and disposition in lieu of a trial as provided in § 26-204(b)(2) of this subtitle;

(2) The name and address of the person;

(3) The number of the person's license to drive, if applicable;

(4) The State registration number of the vehicle, if applicable;

(5) The violation charged;

(6) Unless otherwise to be determined by the court, the time when and place where the person is required to appear in court;

(7) A statement acknowledging receipt of the citation, to be signed by the person;

(8) On the side of the citation to be signed by the person, a clear and conspicuous statement that:

(i) The signing of the citation by the person does not constitute an admission of guilt; and

(ii) The failure to sign may subject the person to arrest; and

(9) Any other necessary information.

(d) Five days' notice required.- Unless the person charged demands an earlier hearing, a time specified in the notice to appear shall be at least 5 days after the alleged violation.

(e) Appearance to be in District Court.- A place specified in the notice to appear shall be before a judge of the District Court, as specified in § 26-401 of this title.

(f) Parking violations under § 21-1003.- An officer who discovers a vehicle stopped, standing, or parked in violation of § 21-1003 of this article shall:

(1) Deliver a citation to the driver or, if the vehicle is unattended, attach a citation to the vehicle in a conspicuous place; and

(2) Keep a copy of the citation, bearing his certification under penalty of perjury that the facts stated in the citation are true.

(g) Parking violations under § 13-402.-

(1) A law enforcement officer who discovers a motor vehicle parked in violation of § 13-402 of this article shall:

(i) Deliver a citation to the driver or, if the motor vehicle is unattended, attach a citation to the motor vehicle in a conspicuous place; and

(ii) Keep a copy of the citation, bearing the law enforcement officer's certification under penalty of perjury that the facts stated in the citation are true.

(2) In the absence of the driver, the owner of the motor vehicle is presumed to be the person
receiving the citation or warning.