DISTRICT COURT OF MARYLAND
The District Court was created in 1970 by a constitutional amendment proposed by the legislature in 1969 and ratified in 1970. The District Court has jurisdiction over all landlord and tenant cases, replevin actions, motor vehicle violations, misdemeanors, certain felonies, and peace and protective orders. The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction in civil claims for $5,000 or less, and concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts in civil claims above $5,000 but less than $30,000. The District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts in criminal cases where the penalty may be confinement for three or more years or a fine of $2,500 or more. The District Court does not conduct jury trials. District Court Commissioners determine probable cause and establish bail and conditions of release and conduct public defender eligibility screening. Commissioners also issue interim peace and protective orders during hours when the court is closed. The District Court is divided into 12 geographical districts, each containing one or more political subdivisions. There are 124 judgeships, including the Chief Judge. There are 34 District Court locations, with at least one judge resident in each county and in Baltimore City. The following tables provide statistics on the workload in the District Court for Fiscal Year 2021.
District Court | 2021 Statistical Abstract
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