Criminal Law - Public Consumption and Open Container - Prepayment of Citation

HB 1441 requires police and alcohol inspectors to include specific notice in citations for public alcohol violations (specifically § 6-321 or § 6-322 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article), stating that fines can be prepaid online or by mail. Prepaying the fine is treated as a guilty plea, and the bill sets a maximum fine amount while allowing judges to create a prepayment schedule. People cited for public drinking or open containers in public spaces (like parks or streets) will now see this prepayment option on their citation. The law also authorizes courts to hold hearings for those who don’t pay the fine or appear in court, streamlining the process for these minor offenses.