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§ 8-727. Enforcement powers of police officers

West's Annotated Code of MarylandNatural Resources

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Natural Resources
Title 8. Waters (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 7. State Boat Act (Refs & Annos)
MD Code, Natural Resources, § 8-727
§ 8-727. Enforcement powers of police officers
Currentness
Definitions
(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Elude” means to evade a police officer's visual or audible signal to stop by:
(i) Willfully failing to stop the vessel;
(ii) Fleeing on foot; or
(iii) Any other means.
(3) “Police officer” means an officer who is:
(i) In uniform, prominently displaying the officer's badge or other insignia of office; or
(ii) In a vessel that is appropriately marked as an official law enforcement vessel, whether or not the officer is in uniform.
(4) “Visual or audible signal” means a warning or command by hand, voice, emergency light, signal device, or siren.
Power to stop, board, or inspect vessels
(b) A Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer enforcing the provisions of this subtitle may stop, board, or inspect any vessel subject to this subtitle.
Display or operation of flashing blue light or signal device
(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an individual who is on a vessel may not display or operate a flashing blue light or signal device.
(2) A police officer who is on a vessel of a county, municipal, State, or federal law enforcement agency may display and operate flashing blue lights or signal devices while responding to or at the scene of an emergency or pursuing a violator or suspected violator of the law.
Yielding to law enforcement vessels required
(d) On the immediate approach of a law enforcement vessel lawfully using a flashing blue light or signal device, an operator of another vessel, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall:
(1) Yield the right-of-way; and
(2) Stop the vessel and stay in that position until the law enforcement vessel has passed.
Eluding or attempting to elude police officer prohibited
(e) An operator of a vessel may not elude or attempt to elude a police officer who gives a visual or audible signal to the operator to stop.
Fines and penalties
(f)(1) A person who violates subsection (c) or (d) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500.
(2) A person who violates subsection (e) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction:
(i) For a first offense, is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both; and
(ii) For a subsequent offense, is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.

Credits

Added by Acts 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 4, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1991, c. 275.
Formerly Art. 14B, § 12.
MD Code, Natural Resources, § 8-727, MD NAT RES § 8-727
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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