Updated April 4, 2022 – Pursuant to Chief Judge Getty’s Administrative Order Lifting the COVID-19 Health Emergency as to the Maryland Judiciary, the Court will resume normal operations on April 04, 2022. Except as delineated in the Court Dockets and Court Proceedings policy, all hearings, trials, and conferences (including civil and criminal pretrial conferences and status conferences) in all matters, including criminal, civil, family, will be held in-person in the courthouse. Motions for remote participation will be considered by the court on a case-by-case basis. Check dockets after 3:00 p.m. the day before your hearing to verify whether your case will be held in-person or remotely. The Court will continue to accept pre-filed exhibits in accordance with the Policy on Pre-Filed Exhibits.
Standby Policy: Counsel and parties are expected to appear in person at the scheduled hearing time. Report to Calendar Management (Room 3100) for further instructions.
For additional information on the Judiciary's return to normal operations, please see the News Release.
Effective June 6, 2021 - Administrative Order, Substitute Trustee Sales
The Circuit Court is part of the Judicial Branch of government and is a court of general jurisdiction. Circuit Court hears jury trials, juvenile, family law, serious criminal matters and complex civil matters. Circuit Court also hears appeals from the District Court of Maryland, Orphans Court and Administrative Agencies. We strive to apply the law fairly and timely while treating all who come before the Court with respect and dignity.
Unexpected Closings or Delays - in the event of inclement weather please visit the Judiciary's Closings/Delays webpage for weather-related updates.
- Closings: If the Court is closed on your scheduled trial date, and you were scheduled to appear for a final protective order in a domestic violence case, your case will be heard on the second day the Court is open at 8:30 a.m. No new notice will be issued. For all other cases, your hearing will be rescheduled and notice will be mailed. If the hearing was scheduled to take 1/2 day or longer, you will be contacted to clear a reset date, unless otherwise notified by the court.
- Delays: If you have a scheduled hearing on a day the Court opens late, you should appear for the hearing regardless of the time your hearing was originally scheduled. For example, if you were scheduled to appear for a 9:00 a.m. settlement or scheduling conference and the Court opens at 10:30 a.m., you should appear at 10:30 a.m. This procedure applies to remote hearings as well as in person hearings. There may be some additional delay as the court determines the order in which cases will be called and if any postponements are needed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Court Administrator, Jennifer Keiser, (410) 313-3029.