Hours of Operation
Open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with the exception of court holidays. View the court holiday schedule.
Mission Statement
Located on the first floor of the Andrew F. Wilkinson Courthouse, the Washington County Circuit Court Law Library offers a comprehensive collection of digital and physical reference materials. Our mission is to empower individuals with the tools and resources needed to conduct their own legal research, ensuring equal access to the law for all litigants.
*We are a NON-circulating library.*
Books and resources cannot be checked out to the public; however, you may use the books while visiting the library during regular business hours.
Resources Available in the Help Center and Law Library
- Public Access Computers with features including:
- Legal research tools
- Video chat capabilities for connecting with an attorney
- Case search functionality
- Guide and File tool for electronically completing court forms
- Access to court forms
- Court Tip Sheets and Information Packets
- CourtTV streaming Court Help Videos
- A wide range of reference materials from the Maryland Annotated Code, Jury Instructions and Family Law Forms, to support patrons in their legal research.
- Access to a Westlaw terminal, providing comprehensive search capabilities within Westlaw’s extensive catalogue of resources.
Maryland Court Help Centers
The Maryland Court Help Centers offer free, limited legal advice to unrepresented litigants in all civil matters, including Circuit Court cases such as divorce, custody, foreclosure, consumer and domestic violence.
- The Maryland Court Help Center can be accessed remotely either by phone or online chat. The hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Visit the Maryland Court Help Center website.
- Download the Maryland Law Help mobile application.
- Telephone assistance is available through the Maryland Courts Help Center at 410-260-1392 - telephone assistance available from 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Live Chat with an attorney - chat service is available 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Online Court Help Resources
Maryland Judiciary Court Help Toolkit
Guide and File - An application created to assist with the completion of forms as well as filing forms via Maryland Electronic Courts. Guide & File guides the user through a series of questions and explanations related to the user's legal issue. Upon completion, the program will generate the forms needed and instructions on the next step needed. The forms can be printed to file in person or can be filed electronically.
Forms - A collection of forms that can be used to file and respond to court cases.
E-filing for Self-Represented Litigants
Videos - A collection of videos to help the self-represented with understanding the court process, various topics of law.
Free Online Classes (Webinars)
People's Law Library - A self-help website managed by the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library. This site covers many different topics of law and contains information to help the user understand the topic and the court process. Hyperlinks are embedded in the content of each subject that take you to the relevant statute and if appropriate caselaw.
Thurgood Marshall State Law Library
Family Law Help Clinic
The Family Law Help Clinic operates during the week on a first-come, first-served basis, in the Andrew F. Wilkinson Courthouse, Circuit Court for Washington County Law Library. The hours of operation are as follows:
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
View the Help Clinic Flyer for additional details.
Questions? Contact the Law Librarian at 240-343-2558
The Law Librarian cannot:
- Give legal advice or recommended language for use on legal documents.
- Interpret legal material.
- Conduct legal research on your behalf.
- Speak to Judges or Family Magistrates on your behalf.
- Recommend court forms or review court forms/legal documents for sufficiency.