 The Governor is the commander @-@ in @-@ chief of the military forces of the State : the Maryland Army National Guard and Air National Guard and the Maryland Defense Force , except when these forces have been called into Federal service , which the Federal government has the authority to do . In times of public emergency , the Governor may exercise emergency powers , including the mobilization of these military forces . In the area of criminal justice , the Governor may grant pardons to criminals , commute the sentences of prisoners , or remit fines and forfeitures imposed on people who have been convicted , jailed , or fined for violations of state laws . 
