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Three Strikes and Habitual Offender Laws in Maryland

How Maryland law treats three strikes and habitual offender laws, from the state code and official state agencies.

Short answer: Maryland's repeat offender law applies to 'crimes of violence' (such as murder, rape, robbery, carjacking, first-degree assault, home invasion and first-degree child abuse). Md. Code, Crim. Law §14-101(a)-(d)

Three strikes and habitual offender lawsMaryland's repeat offender law applies to 'crimes of violence' (such as murder, rape, robbery, carjacking, first-degree assault, home invasion and first-degree child abuse). A second crime of violence, after serving a term of confinement for the first, brings a mandatory minimum of 10 years that cannot be suspended. A third, after two separate prior convictions and at least one term of confinement, brings a mandatory minimum of 25 years that cannot be suspended. A fourth, after three separate terms of confinement for crimes of violence, requires life without the possibility of parole.
Parole for persons sentenced under §14-101(c) and (d)(2) is limited to Correctional Services §4-305. §14-101(b) and (c) refer to exceptions in subsection (f), which did not appear in the text read on 2026-10-28.
Source: Md. Code, Crim. Law §14-101(a)-(d)

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FAQ

Does Maryland have a three strikes law?
Maryland's repeat offender law applies to 'crimes of violence' (such as murder, rape, robbery, carjacking, first-degree assault, home invasion and first-degree child abuse). A second crime of violence, after serving a term of confinement for the first, brings a mandatory minimum of 10 years that cannot be suspended. A third, after two separate prior convictions and at least one term of confinement, brings a mandatory minimum of 25 years that cannot be suspended. A fourth, after three separate terms of confinement for crimes of violence, requires life without the possibility of parole.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.