With statewide jurisdiction, the Distrct Court of Maryland functions in every county and Baltimore City.
Maryland Judicial Center, Annapolis, Maryland, December 2000. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
In minor civil and criminal matters, and in virtually all violations of the Motor Vehicle Law (Code Transportation Article, Titles II-27), the District Court has jurisdiction. The exclusive jurisdiction of the District Court generally includes all landlord and tenant cases; replevin actions; motor vehicle violations; and criminal cases if the penalty is less than three-years imprisonment or does not exceed a fine of $2,500, or both. The District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in misdemeanors and certain enumerated felonies, but has little equity jurisdiction.
Small claims (civil cases involving amounts not exceeding $5,000) also come under the jurisdiction of the District Court. In civil cases involving amounts over $5,000 (but not exceeding $30,000), the District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts.
Administered centrally, the District Court of Maryland is funded totally by the State.
Since July 1, 2019, some 123 judges, including the Chief Judge, serve on the Court (Chapter 199, Acts of 2005; Chapter 34, Acts of 2013; Chapter 91, Acts of 2016; Chapter 749, Acts of 2019; Code Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, sec. 1-603).
District Court judges are appointed by the Governor to ten-year terms, subject to Senate confirmation. They do not stand for election. Those appointed may take office upon qualification (or commissioning). Their term of office begins at the date of commissioning. After their being commissioned, a swearing-in date is set.
The Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland is designated by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. As the District Court's administrative head, the Chief Judge appoints administrative judges for each of the Court's twelve districts, subject to the approval of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. A chief clerk of the District Court also is appointed by the Chief Judge as are administrative clerks for each district.
Formerly located in the Maryland Judicial Center at 580 Taylor Avenue, the District Court moved with the Maryland Judicial Center to 187 Harry S Truman Parkway in Annapolis in September 2019.
District 2 (6 judges): Dorchester (1 judge), Somerset (1 judge), Wicomico (2 judges) & Worcester (2 judges) counties
Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland, April 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
District 4 (7 judges): Calvert (2 judges), Charles (2 judges) & St. Mary's (2 judges) counties
District 5 (19 judges): Prince George's County
Cecil County District Court/Multi-Service Center, 170 East Main St., Elkton, Maryland, May 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
District 7 (10 judges): Anne Arundel County
District 8 (15 judges): Baltimore County
District 9 (4 judges): Harford County
Robert F. Sweeney District Court Building (Anne Arundel County), 251 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, Maryland, September 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
District 11 (5 judges): Frederick (3 judges) & Washington (2 judges) counties
District 12 (3 judges): Allegany (2 judges) & Garrett (1 judge) counties
DISTRICTS
The District Court of Maryland has 34 locations in twelve geographical districts statewide. Each district contains one or more political subdivisions, with at least one judge in each county and Baltimore City.
District 1 (28 judges): Baltimore City
District 3 (6 judges): Caroline (1 judge), Cecil (2 judges), Kent (1 judge), Queen Anne's (1 judge) & Talbot (1 judge) counties
District 6 (13 judges): Montgomery County
District 10 (7 judges): Carroll (2 judges) & Howard (5 judges) counties
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES
District administrative judges oversee the administration of the local district courts, budgets, and procurement. They also manage trial calendars to ensure the expeditious disposition of cases.
The Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland appoints the District Administrative Judge for each local district court, subject to the approval of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
District commissioners in each district determine if a defendant is to post bond or collateral, be held in custody, or be released on their own recognizance. They also issue arrest warrants.
With the approval of the Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland, a district commissioner is appointed by the District Administrative Judge in each district.
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