CIRCUIT COURTS
In Maryland, each county and Baltimore City has a circuit court. Circuit courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction and are the only courts empowered to hold jury trials. The 174 judges handle major civil cases, serious criminal matters, and all family matters, including juvenile matters. Circuit court judges also decide appeals from the District Court and certain administrative agencies. Judicial magistrates primarily hear family and juvenile matters and make recommendations based on their findings to the judge. In addition to judicial functions, these courts are responsible for recording the state’s land record transactions, as well as issuing a number of business licenses. Clerks of the court issue marriage licenses, and civil marriage ceremonies are frequently performed by judges and clerks. Circuit courts are grouped into eight geographical circuits, each with two or more counties, with the exception of the Eighth Circuit, which consists of Baltimore City. The following tables provide statistics on the workload in the circuit courts for the last three fiscal years.
Circuit Courts | 2021 Statistical Abstract
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