# README for XML Charge Data

README file last updated: January 16, 2019

## Summary

This export contains data extracted from the Maryland Judiciary's charge database. The intent of this database is to provide a uniform listing of charges utilized by Maryland's Judicial system as well as other state and local agencies and private firms. More information about this data can be found on the charging language database page at the Maryland Judiciary's web page The latest export can be downloaded at http://www.mdcourts.gov/charge.zip .

The charge data is provided in 2 XML files. "cjiscode.xml" contains the criminal (CJIS) charges, and "trafcode.xml" contains the traffic violation charges. There are three unique identifers used for these charges. "cjisid" is a unique identifier for the criminal (CJIS) charges. "trafficid" is the unique identifier for the traffic violation charges. If a user needs to combine both criminal and traffic data into a single table, then the "chargeid" identifier can be used, which is a unique identifier for both criminal and traffic charges.

The same charge may appear in the database multiple times with different "date_begin" and "date_end" values. This allows a law change to be made but still have available the old charge information prior to the law change. This allows, for example, for someone to be charged, say on October 10th, for a charge that was committed on or about August 1st. If the penalty changed on October 1st, the old penalty information will still be available at the time the charge was committed.

### Files in this export

readme.html - This file
cjiscode.xml - XML data for Maryland CJIS charges
trafcode.xml - XML data for Maryland traffic charges

### Description of CJIS Data Elements in cjiscode.xml

(Note: all date fields are stored as "YYYY-MM-DD")

Field Name | Data Type | Description
--- | --- | ---
cjisid | integer | Unique numeric identifier for criminal (CJIS) data
chargeid | integer | Unique numeric identifier for charge (both CJIS and traffic) data. Use this identifier if combining CJIS and traffic data into a single table.
cjiscode | integer (5 digits) | 5 digit number specify the base or numeric portion of the CJIS code
class | char(1) | 1 character field specifying the type of CJIS code. Valid values are: " " (blank): main charge "A": attempt "C": conspire "F": fuel (tracking theft of fuel) "M": minor victim "R": repealed "S": solicit
cjisclass | char(6) | Combined cjiscode and class in the format of "1x2345", where "12345" is the 5 digit cjiscode and "x" is the class.
describe35 | char(35) | Short description of charge
describe70 | char(70) | Short description of charge
describe(100) | char(100) | Short description of charge
date_begin | date | Effective date of charge. When the effective date was unknown when entered, "1970-01-01" is used
date_end | date | Last date the charge was in effect. For example, if a charge was repealed on October 1, 2012, then the last date the charge was in effect would be September 30, 2012.
article | char(4) | Article
section | char(6) | Section
subsec | char(10) | Subsection
paragraph | char(15) | Paragraph
felony | char(1) | "Y" if a felony, "N" otherwise
jailable | char(1) | "Y" if a jailable offense, "N" otherwise
phrqd | char(1) | "Y" if a preliminary hearing is required, "N" otherwise
maxfine | numeric(10,2) | Maximum fine amount
timetype | char(1) | Type portion of maximum jail time, used in conjunction with timeamt. Valid values are "D": days, "M": months, "Y":years, "L": life and "X": death
timeamt | integer | Amount portion of maximum jail time, used in conjunction with timetype
ruleno | char(10) | This field is no longer used. Previously, it was used to indicate certain CJIS codes (typically serious felonies) that were subject to release restriction / held without bond situations under certain circumstances. If used, values are either "616 1/2" or "638B".
description | BLOB | Text of the charging language
notes | BLOB | Useful information related to the charge
mod_date | date | Date this charge was last updated. Use this field to determine updated charges
new_date | date | Date this charge was first entered into the system. Use this field to determine new charges

### Description of Traffic Data Elements in trafcode.xml

(Note: all date fields are stored as "YYYY-MM-DD")

Field Name | Data Type | Description
--- | --- | ---
trafficid | integer | Unique numeric identifier for traffic charge data
chargeid | integer | Unique numeric identifier for charge (both CJIS and traffic) data. Use this identifier if combining CJIS and traffic data into a single table
describe35 | char(35) | Short description of charge
describe70 | char(70) | Short description of charge
describe100 | char(100) | Short description of charge
date_begin | date | Effective date of charge. When the effective date was unknown when entered, "1970-01-01" is used
date_end | date | Last date the charge was in effect. If a charge was repealed on October 1, 2012, then the last date the charge was in effect would be September 30, 2012.
article | char(2) | Article
section | char(2) | Section
subsec | char(6) | Subsection
paragraph | char(2) | Paragraph
code | char(1) |
fine | numeric(10,2) | Maximum fine amount
finetype | char(1) |
mod_date | date | Date this charge was last updated. Use this field to determine updated charges
new_date | date | Date this charge was first entered into the system. Use this field to determine new charges