# Md. Rule 4-203: Rule 4-203. Charging Document—Joinder of Offenses and Defendants

> Maryland · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_203

## Section

- **Citation:** Md. Rule 4-203
- **Heading:** Rule 4-203. Charging Document—Joinder of Offenses and Defendants
- **Jurisdiction:** Maryland
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Maryland Rules / Title 4 Criminal Causes / Chapter 200 Pretrial Procedures / Md. Rule 4-203

## Text

(a) Multiple Offenses. Two or more offenses, whether felonies or misdemeanors or any combination thereof, may be charged in separate counts of the same charging document if the offenses charged are of the same or similar character or are based on the same act or transaction or on two or more acts or transactions connected together or constituting parts of a common scheme or plan.
(b) Multiple Defendants--Separate Charging Documents. Regardless of whether two or more defendants are alleged to have participated in the same act or transaction or in the same series of acts or transactions, a charging document may not contain charges against more than one defendant.
Section (a) is derived from former Rule 712 a and M.D.R. 712.
Section (b) is derived from former Rule 712 b.

## Nearby sections

- [Md. Rule 4-201 Rule 4-201. Charging Document—Use](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_201.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-202 Rule 4-202. Charging Document—Content](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_202.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-203 Rule 4-203. Charging Document—Joinder of Offenses and Defendants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_203.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-204 Rule 4-204. Charging Document—Amendment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_204.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-211 Rule 4-211. Filing of Charging Document](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_211.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-212 Rule 4-212. Issuance, Service, and Execution of Summons or Warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_212.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-213 Rule 4-213. Initial Appearance of Defendant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_213.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-213.1 Rule 4-213.1. Appointment, Appearance, or Waiver of Attorney at Initial Appearance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_213_1.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-214 Rule 4-214. Defense Counsel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_214.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-215 Rule 4-215. Waiver of Counsel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_215.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-216 Rule 4-216. Pretrial Release—Authority of Judicial Officer; Procedure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_216.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-216.1 Rule 4-216.1. Pretrial Release—Standards Governing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_216_1.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-216.2 Rule 4-216.2. Review of Commissioner's Pretrial Release Order](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_216_2.md)
- [Md. Rule 4-216.3 Rule 4-216.3. Further Proceedings Regarding Pretrial Release](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_216_3.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_MD_T4_R4_203. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.