For Immediate Release

Judge Charles J. Peters to Head Baltimore Circuit Court’s Criminal Division

(BALTIMORE — Dec. 23, 2014) Judge W. Michel Pierson, administrative judge for the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, has announced the appointment of Judge Charles J. Peters to head the court’s criminal division, effective January 2, 2015. “Management of the court’s criminal division is a challenging task, and I am confident that Judge Peters will continue the tradition of strong and effective leadership,” Judge Pierson said.

As the judge in charge of the criminal division, Judge Peters will be responsible for the assignment of judges and the management of the criminal docket. He will also chair the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

Judge Peters succeeds Judge Barry G. Williams, who led the court’s criminal division for three years. “The court owes Judge Williams a large debt of gratitude for his skillful supervision of the criminal docket and his devotion to improving its administration. Judge Williams took on the diverse challenges of this role with energy and aplomb, and I am personally appreciative for his assistance to me during this period," said Judge Pierson.

“I am looking forward to the challenge,” Judge Peters said. “It is an honor to have been chosen to follow Judge Williams’ fine example.”

Judge Peters has been on the Circuit Court bench since February 2010 and has been a member of the Judiciary’s Criminal Law and Procedure Committee. He was Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City from 1986-1994, and Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Maryland, from 1994 until his appointment to the bench in 2010.

After graduating with distinction from the University of Virginia in 1978, Judge Peters received his J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1981, and was admitted to the Maryland Bar that year. He started his career in private practice from 1981-1986.

Judge Peters is a member of the Maryland State and Baltimore City bar associations, and is a member of the MSBA’s litigation law section and special committee on voir dire. He has been a volunteer with several community organizations, including Our Daily Bread and House of Ruth.

# # #