How Does The Maryland District Court Work?

The District Court of Maryland is a limited jurisdiction court created by the Maryland Constitution in 1971. The district court is divided into 12 judicial districts, with 34 court locations spread among them. As a court of limited jurisdiction, district courts in Maryland can only resolve certain criminal and civil cases. Examples of criminal cases brought before a Maryland district court are:

• Traffic infractions
• Violations of municipal ordinances
• Boating violations
• Misdemeanors, and minor felonies: cases in which the penalty may be confinement for three years or more or a fine of $2,500 or more
• Initial hearings of felony cases

Civil cases involving rent issues are also brought before a district court judge. Other civil cases within the jurisdiction of the District Court include:

● Domestic violence protective orders

● Peace orders

● Some juvenile cases

● All small claims cases that do not involve property and are less than $5,000

Generally, civil actions within the amount of $5,000 may be resolved in a district court if the claimant agrees to a non-jury trial. District courts in Maryland do not have authority over some types of lawsuits. Examples are cases that reasonably seek a trial by jury, applications for declaratory relief, most applications for equal relief, most violent offenses, and most cases concerning conflicts related to ownership of land.

In Maryland, District Court judges are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the state legislator. They are assigned to serve for ten years. However, after the first year in active duty, the district court judges will participate in a retention election. The election will determine if they should stay or leave the office. Appointed judges may resume office if they meet the general qualifications, as stated under the constitution. The law requires that all district court judges must be:

• State citizens
• Qualified voters
• A resident of the district for more than five years before the appointment (have lived at least six months before the retention election)
• Above 30 years old at the time of appointment/election
• An approved law practitioner in the state
• Exhibit qualities such as wisdom, integrity, and expert legal understanding

After confirmation by the Senate, the district court judge will be sworn in. In Maryland, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals is tasked with selecting an administrative head known as the District Court’s Chief Judge. Apart from other official responsibilities, the Chief Judge of the Maryland District Court is mandated to:

● appoint administrative judges for each judicial district.

● appoint an administrative clerk known as the chief clerk of the District court

The number of judges for each district may be adjusted anytime as deemed fit by the General Assembly. A district commissioner is assigned by the administrative judges located in each judicial district.

Typically, non-jury (minor) issues are resolved at a district court in Maryland. Therefore, it is expected that proceedings should be completed much faster than the Circuit Court. Small claims cases may be resolved more quickly if persons agree to mediation or other alternative dispute measures. Contrary to this, these cases can take more than 90 days before reaching a judgment.

A district court clerk is appointed to record court proceedings and make them available to the public. Interested persons may use the district court directory to locate the appropriate court clerk and request court case files. Direct requests may be made in-person, via mail, or phone.

Generally, the Maryland Judiciary maintains a statewide case search for all district court cases. To locate a case file using the online repository, requesters must provide details such as case number, court location, case type, hearing date, and the names of claimants/respondents.

District Courts in Maryland provide court transcripts to individuals who are appealing a district court judgment. Requesters should submit a request form to the District Court where the judgment was given. Other necessary details that must be included in the request form are:

● Case number

● Date of the hearing or trial

● Names of both parties to the case

● Name, address, and phone number of the requester

● Appeal letter

● A deposit for $75 (a page cost $3)

Note that the court will return the balance if the total cost is less than $75. Otherwise, the requestor will be sent an additional bill if the total cost is above $75. Court transcripts are produced within 60 days of a submitted query. One original copy will be forwarded to the circuit court, while another copy will be sent to the requester.

Allegany County District Court

123 S Liberty Street

Cumberland, MD 21502

Phone: (301) 723–3100

Anne Arundel County District Court - Annapolis

Robert F. Sweeney District Court Building

251 Rowe Boulevard

Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone: (410) 260–1370

Anne Arundel County District Court - Glen Burnie

George M. Taylor Multi-Service Center

7500 Gov. Ritchie Highway

Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Phone: (410) 260–1800

Baltimore County District Court - Catonsville

900 Walker Avenue

Catonsville, MD 21228

Phone: (410) 512–2500

Baltimore County District Court - Essex

8914 Kelso Drive

Essex, MD 21221

Phone: (410) 512–2300

Baltimore County District Court - Towson

120 E Chesapeake Avenue

Towson, MD 21286

Phone: (410) 512–2000

Calvert County District Court

Louis L. Goldstein Multi-Service Center

200 Duke Street

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Phone: (443) 550–6700

Caroline County District Court

Multi-Service Center

207 S 3rd Street

Denton, MD 21629

Phone: (410) 819–4600

Carroll County District Court

101 N Court Street

Westminster, MD 21157

Phone: (410) 871–3500

Cecil County District Court

District Court/Multi-Service Center

170 E Main Street

Elkton, MD 21921

Phone: (410) 996–2700

Charles County District Court

Charles County Courthouse

11 Washington Avenue

P. O. Box 3070

La Plata, MD 20646

Phone: (301) 934–5110

Baltimore City District Court - Civil Division

501 E Fayette Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

Phone: (410) 878–8900

Baltimore City District Court - Criminal and Traffic Division

Borgerding District Court Building

5800 Wabash Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21215

Phone: (410) 878–8000

Baltimore City District Court - Criminal and Traffic Division

Eastside District Court Building

1400 E North Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21213

Phone: (410) 878–8500

Baltimore City District Court - Criminal and Traffic Division

John R. Hargrove Sr. District Court Building

700 E Patapsco Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21225

Phone: (410) 878–8300

Dorchester County District Court

310 Gay Street

P. O. Box 547

Cambridge, MD 21613

Phone: (410) 901–1420

Frederick County District Court

Frederick County Courthouse

100 W Patrick Street

Frederick, MD 21701

Phone: (301) 600–2000

Garrett County District Court

205 S 3rd Street

Oakland, MD 21550

Phone: (301) 334–8020

Harford County District Court

Mary E. W. Risteau Multi-Service Center

2 S Bond Street

Bel Air, MD 21014

Phone: (410) 836–4545

Howard County District Court

District Court/Multi-Service Center

3451 Courthouse Drive

Ellicott City, MD 21043

Phone: (410) 480–7700

Kent County District Court

Kent County Courthouse

103 N Cross Street

Chestertown, MD 21620

Phone: (410) 810–3360

Montgomery County District Court - Rockville

District Court Building

191 E Jefferson Street

Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: (301) 563–8800

Montgomery County District Court - Silver Spring

L. Leonard Ruben District Court Building

8552 2nd Avenue

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: (301) 563–8500

Prince George’s County District Court

Prince George’s County Courthouse - Bourne Wing

14735 Main Street

Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Phone: (301) 298–4000

Prince George’s County District Court

4990 Rhode Island Avenue

Hyattsville, MD 20781

Phone: (301) 298–4200

Queen Anne’s County District Court

Carter M. Hickman District Court/Multi-Service Center

120 Broadway

Centreville, MD 21617

Phone: (410) 819–4000

Somerset County District Court

12155 Elm Street

Suite C, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Phone: 410–845–4700

Saint Mary’s County District Court

Joseph D. Carter State Office Building

23110 Leonard Hall Drive

P. O. Box 1509

Leonardtown, MD 20650

Phone: (301) 880–2700

Talbot County District Court

108 W Dover Street

Easton, MD 21601

Phone: (410) 819–5850

Washington County District Court

J. Louis Boublitz District Court Building

36 W Antietam Street

Hagerstown, MD 21740

Phone: (240) 420–4600

Wicomico County District Court

W. Paul Martin District Court/Multi-Service Center

201 Baptist Street

Salisbury, MD 21801

Phone: (410) 713–3500

Worcester County District Court - Ocean City

6505 Coastal Highway

Ocean City, MD 21842

Phone: (410) 723–6935

Worcester County District Court - Snow Hill

301 Commerce Street

Snow Hill, MD 21863

Phone: (410) 219–7830