Section 8-420 - Peremptory challenges in criminal cases(a)(1) This subsection applies only in a criminal trial in which a defendant is subject, on any single count, to a sentence of life imprisonment, excluding a common law offense for which no specific statutory penalty is provided.(2) Each defendant is allowed 20 peremptory challenges.(3) The State is allowed 10 peremptory challenges for each defendant.(b)(1) This subsection applies only in a criminal trial in which a defendant is subject, on any single count, to a sentence of at least 20 years, excluding a case subject to subsection (a) of this section or a common law offense for which no specific statutory penalty is provided.(2) Each defendant is allowed 10 peremptory challenges.(3) The State is allowed five peremptory challenges for each defendant.(c) In every other criminal trial, each party is allowed four peremptory challenges.Amended by 2013 Md. Laws, Ch. 156,Sec. 3, eff. 10/1/2013.