(a) If a defendant is charged with a felony other than a felony within the jurisdiction of the District Court, at the time of the defendant’s initial appearance, as required by Maryland Rule 4-213, a court or court commissioner shall advise the defendant of the defendant’s right to request a preliminary hearing. (b) (1) If a defendant is charged with a felony other than a felony within the jurisdiction of the District Court, the defendant may request a preliminary hearing at the defendant’s initial appearance or at any time within 10 days after the initial appearance. (2) If the defendant does not request a preliminary hearing within 10 days after the initial appearance, the right to a preliminary hearing is waived. (c) (1) If a defendant is charged with a felony other than a felony within the jurisdiction of the District Court, the right of a defendant to a preliminary hearing is absolute if: (i) the defendant is charged by criminal information; and (ii) the defendant requests a preliminary hearing in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. (2) If the defendant is charged by grand jury indictment, the right of a defendant to a preliminary hearing is not absolute but the liminary hearing in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. (2) If the defendant is charged by grand jury indictment, the right of a defendant to a preliminary hearing is not absolute but the court may allow the defendant to have a preliminary hearing. (3) In any other case, the right of a defendant to a preliminary hearing is not absolute, but on motion of the State’s Attorney or the defendant, and subject to the Maryland Rules, the court may allow the defendant to have a preliminary hearing.
Maryland Legal Code