DataMaryland  

*These factors track the process--i.e. the effort and obstacles--for obtaining data from individual states under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and appeals process. These factors do not measure the quality of the data; only the process of attempting to obtain the data.

We were not able to obtain any data from Maryland whatsoever from our initial FOIA request and our appeal FOIA request. Maryland was unresponsive.

In Maryland, felony murder is defined in the first degree murder (Md. Code Ann. Crim Law § 2-201) and second degree murder statutes (Md. Code Ann. Crim Law § 2-204).

Prosecutors can charge and convict any person of murder without having to prove that they intended to cause another person’s death. Prosecutors must only prove that a person committed or attempted to commit another specified felony (first degree) or any other felony (second degree) and that a death occurred.

A conviction for felony murder carries a sentence of life or life without the possibility of parole (first degree murder) or 0 to 40 years for second degree murder.