(a) Every auditor, clerk, sheriff, constable, commissioner, surveyor, or
other officer before he assumes the duties of his office, shall take
and sign the oath or affirmation prescribed by the Constitution.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, every deputy
clerk or sheriff shall take and subscribe the following oath or
affirmation: "I, A.B., do swear (or affirm) that I will not for lucre
or malice delay any person applying to me for any business belonging to
the office I officiate in, and that I will not directly or indirectly
ask, take, exact, demand, or receive from or charge to any such person
to my own use any fee or reward whatsoever for any services I may do as
deputy of the said office, and that in making out the office fees I
will not wittingly or willingly charge other or higher fees than are
allowed by law."
(c) (1) In addition to the oath or affirmation required under subsection (b) of
this section, in St. Mary's County, every deputy sheriff shall take
and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: "I, A.B., do
solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will bear true faith and allegiance
to the United States of America and to the State of Maryland; that I
will serve honestly and faithfully to uphold and defend the
Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Maryland;
that I will enforce the laws of St. Mary's County, and the State of
Maryland; and that I will obey the orders of the Sheriff and of my
superior officers according to the rules and regulations of the
Sheriff's office, St. Mary's County and the State of Maryland."
(2) In addition to the oath or affirmation required under subsection (b) of
this section, in Charles County, every deputy sheriff shall take and
subscribe the following oath or affirmation: "I, A.B., do solemnly
swear (or affirm) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the
United States of America and to the State of Maryland; that I will
serve honestly and faithfully to uphold and defend the Constitution of
the United States and the Constitution of Maryland; that I will enforce
the laws of Charles County, and the State of Maryland; and that I will
obey the orders of the Sheriff and of my superior officers according to
the rules and regulations of the Sheriff's office, Charles County and
the State of Maryland."
(d) In Montgomery County and Washington County, every deputy clerk or
deputy sheriff shall take and sign the oath or affirmation prescribed
by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.
(e) (1) Except as authorized by Article I, § 10 of the Constitution, every
officer, except the clerk of the circuit court of a county or an
appellate court, shall take the oath before the clerk of the circuit
court.
(2) Except as provided in Article I, § 10 of the Constitution, the clerk
of a circuit court shall take the oath before a judge of the court.
(3) The clerk of an appellate court shall take the oath before the
Governor.
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