T Maryland » Juvenile defense

Defense structure, 2017

• Organization

  Statewide

• Oversight

  Full oversight

Maryland provides counsel to indigent youth through a statewide Maryland Office of the Public Defender. Visit the National Juvenile Defender Center's Maryland state profile for more details.

Waiver of counsel, 2014

A juvenile can waive his or her right to counsel if the juvenile has consulted with or is in the presence of counsel and the court determines that the waiver is knowing and voluntary.

• Restrictions on waivers
• No restrictions
• Reflects laws as of the end of 2013 legislative sessions.

• Age

  No restrictions

• Crime

  No restrictions

• Hearing

  No restrictions

• Placement

  No restrictions

Timing of counsel, 2013

In Maryland, an attorney for a juvenile can be appointed at the following points in the process: All Stages of Proceedings / All Critical States of Proceedings.

• Reflects laws as of the end of 2013 legislative sessions.

Indigency requirements, 2013

Indigency determination: Public defender

In Maryland, indigency law is covered by both juvenile and adult statutes, which provide for a determination of indigency. The Maryland law provides several useful definitions and applies when a juvenile is being transferred to criminal court. The Public Defender makes the determination of indigency.

Collateral consequences, 2014

If a juvenile has filed a pleading admitting the allegations of the juvenile petition or indicates to the court his intention not to deny those allegations, the court, before proceeding with an adjudicatory hearing, must advise the juvenile of the nature and possible consequence of his action or intended action. The court must neither encourage nor discourage the juvenile with respect to his action or intended action, but must ascertain to its satisfaction that the juvenile understands the nature and possible consequences of failing to deny the allegations of the juvenile petition, and that he takes that action knowingly and voluntarily. These proceedings must take place in open court and must be on the record.

• Reflects laws as of the end of 2014 legislative sessions.

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