

Maryland Circuit Court District courts See also: Maryland District Courts The map below shows each of those circuits by county. The circuit courts are divided into eight circuits with one court in each of Maryland's 23 counties, and one in Baltimore City. These courts hear appeals from the district courts, orphan's court, and some administrative agencies. The circuit courts are where jury trials are held, though cases may be decided by bench trial. Circuit courts also hear cases concerning domestic violence. The Maryland Circuit Courts have jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases, including juvenile and other family law cases such as divorce, custody, and child support.
#THE MARYLAND JUDICIARY TRIAL#
Trial courts Circuit courts See also: Maryland Circuit Courts Occasionally, a case may be heard by the entire court. In most cases, cases are heard by three-judge panels. Judges must stand for a retention election every ten years. Judges are appointed by the governor and must be confirmed by the Maryland State Senate. Īs of March 2021, the court had 15 active judges, with at least one appointed from each of Maryland's seven appellate circuits. Parties may appeal rulings of the Court of Appeals to the state supreme court. The court conducts appellate review from most cases originating from the circuit courts and orphans' court. The court's jurisdiction was later expanded and now has general jurisdiction. When the court was originally formed, it held limited jurisdiction to only criminal cases. The court's name changed from the Maryland Court of Special Appeals to the Maryland Court of Appeals, following a ballot initiative that voters approved in November 2022. The Maryland Court of Appeals, formerly named the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, is the intermediate appellate court in Maryland. State court of appeals See also: Maryland Court of Appeals The chief judge, selected by the governor, serves as the constitutional and administrative head of the state's judicial system. To be reelected, judges must stand in a retention election every ten years. State supreme court judges are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate. The judges are selected from each of the state's seven appellate circuits. The court has seven judges–one chief judge and six associate judges. The court is required to hear cases concerning legislative redistricting, the removal of certain officers, and certifications of legal questions. The court has discretionary jurisdiction over which cases it will accept for review. The court's name changed from the Maryland Court of Appeals to the Maryland Supreme Court, following a ballot initiative that voters approved in November 2022. State supreme court See also: Maryland Supreme CourtĬreated in 1776 as the Maryland Court of Appeals, the Maryland Supreme Court is the court of last resort in Maryland. United States bankruptcy court, District of Maryland.The federal bankruptcy court in Alabama is: These courts have subject-matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases. There is one federal bankruptcy court in Maryland. To read more about the judges on these courts, click here. Judges who sit on the federal district courts are nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. It does not reflect how a judge may rule on specific cases or their own political preferences. The list below displays the number of active judges by the party of the appointing president. University of Virginia School of Law, 2000Īctive Article III judges by appointing political party Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.Īctive judges United States District Court for the District of Maryland Judge The federal district court in Maryland is the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.Īppeals from this court are heard in the U.S. To read more about judicial elections in Maryland, click here. Judges of the Maryland District Courts must be reappointed by the governor if they wish to serve another 10-year term. Maryland Supreme Court and Maryland Court of Appeals judges serve 10-year terms, while circuit court judges serve 15-year terms. After serving for at least one year, judges must stand in yes-no retention elections to determine whether they will remain on the court. Selection of state court judges in Maryland occurs largely through the assisted appointment method with an initial appointment by the governor and confirmation through the Maryland State Senate.

Judicial selection process See also: Judicial selection in Maryland and Maryland judicial elections
