Maryland court system

Maryland court system. The judiciary of Maryland is a unified state court system operating under the authority of the Constitution of Maryland and statutory law. It is a four-tiered structure consisting of two appellate courts and two trial courts of general and limited jurisdiction. The system is headed by the Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, who also serves as the state's chief judicial officer and administrative head.

Structure and organization

The Maryland court system is organized into four distinct levels, with the Court of Appeals of Maryland at its apex. Below it are the intermediate Court of Special Appeals, the general jurisdiction Circuit Courts, and the limited jurisdiction District Court. This structure is defined by the Maryland Constitution and the Maryland Code. The system is administered centrally by the Administrative Office of the Courts under the direction of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. The state is divided into eight judicial circuits for the Circuit Courts and twelve districts for the District Court, encompassing all twenty-three counties and the city of Baltimore.

Court of Appeals

The Court of Appeals of Maryland is the state's court of last resort and the highest appellate tribunal. It consists of seven judges, one from each of the state's seven appellate judicial circuits, who are appointed by the Governor of Maryland and confirmed by the Maryland Senate. The court is led by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, currently Matthew J. Fader. Its mandatory jurisdiction includes cases involving the death penalty, legislative redistricting, removal of certain elected officials, and certifications of questions of law from the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts. The court primarily hears appeals from the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and, in limited instances, directly from the Maryland circuit courts.

Court of Special Appeals

The Maryland Court of Special Appeals is the intermediate appellate court, established in 1966 to relieve the caseload of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. It has statewide jurisdiction and typically sits in panels of three judges. The court hears most appeals from the Maryland circuit courts in civil and criminal cases, as well as appeals from the Orphans' Court and certain administrative agencies like the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission. Its decisions are final unless the Court of Appeals of Maryland exercises discretionary review via a writ of certiorari. The current Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals is E. Gregory Wells.

Circuit Courts

The Maryland circuit courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction, handling major civil cases, felony criminal prosecutions, equity matters, and appeals from the District Court of Maryland and certain administrative agencies. The state's eight judicial circuits are served by 157 judges who are elected in partisan elections to 15-year terms. Each circuit also contains an Orphans' Court, which handles probate and estate matters, presided over by elected judges. Notable Circuit Courts include the Circuit Court for Baltimore City and the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. These courts conduct jury trials and have broad authority over family law, including divorce and child custody.

District Court

The District Court of Maryland is a statewide court of limited jurisdiction, established by a 1970 constitutional amendment. It has 111 judges appointed by the Governor of Maryland to ten-year terms. The court's jurisdiction includes misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings for felonies, civil cases involving amounts up to $30,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic violations. The court operates in twelve districts across the state, with locations in every county and Baltimore. Proceedings are typically heard by a judge without a jury. The District Court also handles small claims and certain peace order petitions. The current Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland is John P. Morrissey.

Administration and oversight

The administration of the Maryland court system is centralized under the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, who is assisted by the State Court Administrator and the Administrative Office of the Courts. Key oversight and rule-making bodies include the Maryland Judicial Conference, the Maryland Rules Committee, and the Commission on Judicial Disabilities. Judicial conduct is regulated by the Commission on Judicial Disabilities, while the Maryland State Bar Association plays a role in judicial evaluations. The system's budget is submitted by the Judiciary of Maryland to the Governor of Maryland and the Maryland General Assembly. Continuing education for judges is managed by the Maryland Judicial Institute. Category:Courts in Maryland Category:State court systems in the United States