Amendment—Maryland Rule 4-204

• Jurisdiction: Maryland

IV. Amendment—Maryland Rule 4-204

The purpose of Md. Rule 4-204, governing amendment of charging documents is to prevent any unfair surprise to the defendant and his counsel. Johnson (Steve) v. State, 358 Md. 384, 392, 749 A.2d 769, 773 (2000). A charging document may be amended at any time before a verdict, upon motion of a party or on the Court's own motion. If the amendment changes the character of the offense charged, the consent of the parties is required. See Busch v. State, 289 Md. 669, 426 A.2d 954 (1981) (obstructing or hindering versus resisting arrest); Thanos v. State, 282 Md. 709, 387 A.2d 286 (1978) (altering price tag versus removing price tag); Brown (Charles) v. State, 285 Md. 105, 400 A.2d 1133 (1979) (money as a material item); Bolden v. State, 44...