Charles County Maryland Circuit Court (2024)

FAQs

How do I find a Circuit Court case in Maryland? ›

If you need information about court records, there is a valuable on-line tool that can help. It's called Maryland Judiciary Case Search or just “Case Search.” To get started visit mdcourts.gov/casesearch.

Court dates should appear under Court Scheduling Information. You can also call the Clerk's Office at 410-535-1600 ext. 2268 (Civil) or 2404 (Family Law) or ext. 2270 (Criminal).

The District Court hears criminal cases, including motor vehicle/ boating violations and other misdemeanors and limited felonies, although the Circuit courts share jurisdiction if the penalties authorized are three years or more in prison, a fine of $2,500 or more, or both.

The Circuit Courts hear most cases appealed from the District Court, orphans' courts and some administrative agencies. Circuit Courts also hear domestic violence cases. Cases may be decided by juries, but also may be decided by a judge only.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is one of twelve regional appellate courts within the federal judicial system. The court hears appeals from the nine federal district courts in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and from federal administrative agencies.

The Supreme Court of Maryland is the State of Maryland's highest court. The Supreme Court hears cases primarily by way of certiorari, a process that gives the Court discretion to hear appeals where it concludes that doing so is desirable and in the public interest.

Maryland has a four-tiered court system consisting of the District Court of Maryland, Circuit Courts, the Court of Special Appeals, and the Court of Appeals. District Court of Maryland. The District Court of Maryland was created in 1971 on a statewide basis in each county and Baltimore City.

District Courts are smaller claim courts and have jurisdiction up to $30,000. All District Court cases are bench trials. District Court cases for $5,000 and under are small claims trials, which proceed without formal rules of evidence. Circuit Courts in Maryland have jurisdiction for anything over $15,000.

Rule 2-321 - Time for Filing Answer (a) General Rule. A party shall file an answer to an original complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim within 30 days after being served, except as provided by sections (b) and (c) of this Rule.

As trial courts of general jurisdiction, Circuit Courts have very broad jurisdiction, generally covering major civil cases and more serious criminal matters. Circuit Courts also may decide appeals from the District Court of Maryland and certain administrative agencies. Circuit Administrative Judges.

Can you appeal a circuit court decision in Maryland? ›

When you disagree with the final outcome of your court case, you may be able to appeal. This means asking a higher court to review the outcome. Most cases decided in a circuit court may be appealed to the Appellate Court of Maryland.

Many U.S. states have state courts called "circuit courts." Most are trial courts of general, original jurisdiction.

– The Maryland Judiciary is redesigning its Case Search website as a part of its commitment to stay current with technology trends. The new design, launching on February 5, 2024, will allow for users to navigate the site and search more easily for public case information in a simpler and more efficient manner.

When you disagree with the final outcome of your court case, you may be able to appeal. This means asking a higher court to review the outcome. Most cases decided in a circuit court may be appealed to the Appellate Court of Maryland.

Rule 2-321 - Time for Filing Answer (a) General Rule. A party shall file an answer to an original complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim within 30 days after being served, except as provided by sections (b) and (c) of this Rule.