Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor                    547

Article 26 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1951 Edition), title
"Courts", sub-title "General Provisions", said new section to follow
immediately after Section 4 thereof and to read as follows:

4A. Procedure In Contempt Cases.

If any alleged contempt be a direct contempt, alleged to have been
committed in the presence of the court, or so near to the court as to
interrupt its proceedings, then the court so adjudging shall sign a
formal order to that effect. The record in such case shall consist of
such order, of affidavits filed by or on behalf of the party adjudged
in contempt, and of affidavits filed by the State's Attorney in sup-
port of the action of the court, together with any testimony that
such party or the State's Attorney may desire to offer in support of
such affidavits and a written statement by the judge or judges
passing such order of contempt, of the facts and circumstances under
and by reason of which such order was passed. If any such alleged
contempt be a constructive contempt, alleged to have been committed
not in the presence of the court, or not so near to the court as to
interrupt its proceedings, then the court shall issue a citation to the
person alleged, to be in contempt requiring such person to show
cause why an order adjudging such person in contempt should not
be passed within a time named therein. If no cause is shown within
the time so named, such order shall be final; but if such person shall
answer and show cause within the time named, then testimony shall
be taken and the matter tried by the court without a jury before a
judge or judges other than the judge issuing the citation. If the
constructive contempt is committed while all the judges of the Su-
preme Bench of Baltimore City are sitting en banc, or while all the
judges of any circuit are sitting en banc, the person alleged to be in
contempt shall have the right to have the case removed to another
circuit or court for trial. In all such cases, it shall be the duty of the
State's Attorney, either personally or by deputy or assistant, to
prosecute such contempts as though the same were criminal cases.

Sec. 16. And be it further enacted by the General Assembly of
Maryland, That la new Section 20A be and it is hereby added to
Article 26 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1991 Edition), title
"Courts", sub-title "Judgments", said new section to follow im-
mediately after Section 20 thereof and to read as follows:

20A. A judgment of a court of law or equity shall be a lien upon
real or leasehold estates as provided by the Maryland Rules,

Sec. 17. And be it further enacted by the General Assembly of
Maryland, That Section 531 of Article 27 of the Annotated Code
of Maryland (1951 Edition), title "Crimes and Punishments",
sub-title "Perjury"; Section 678 of Article 27 of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1951 Edition), title "Crimes and Punishments",
sub-title "Jurisdiction"; Section 688 of Article 27 of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1951 Edition), title "Crimes and Punishments",
sub-title "Procedure—Indictments—Amendment"; and Section 725
of Article 27 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1951 Edition),
title "Crimes and Punishments", sub-title "Sentence", be and they
are hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amendments, to read as
follows: