Md. Rule 11-408
Rule 11-408. Citation
(a) Filing. If an intake officer forwards a citation to the State's Attorney pursuant to Code, Courts Article, § 3-8A-10, the State's Attorney may initiate an action by filing the citation with the clerk of the court, together with a sufficient number of copies to provide for service on the parties.
Cross reference: See Code, Courts Article, § 3-8A-10, addressing the intake officer procedure upon receipt of a citation.
(b) Venue. A citation shall be filed in the county where the alleged act occurred.
Cross reference: See Code, Courts Article, § 3-8A-08 (b) addressing the filing of the citation in the county where the alleged act occurred, subject to transfer under Code, Courts Article, § 3-8A-09.
(c) Constitutes Initial Pleading. A citation serves as the initial pleading against a child for a violation and constitutes adequate process to give the court jurisdiction over the child. A citation constitutes a charging document.
(d) Summons; Service. Unless the court orders otherwise, the clerk, upon the filing of a citation, shall issue a summons substantially in the form approved by the State Court Administrator for each party other than the State's Attorney. The summons, together with a copy of the citation, shall be served in accordance with Rule 11-107 and shall be returnable as provided by Rule 2-126.
(e) Subpoena. The clerk shall issue a subpoena for the individual who issued the citation and for each witness requested by a party pursuant to Rule 11-105.