For cases originating in the Circuit Court, appeals begin in the Court of Special Appeals. The next level of appeals would be the Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, which has the discretion to determine which cases it will or will not hear. Once the Court of Appeals decides or declines to review a case, there is no further review within the state court system. Review by a federal court may be available, either directly or by appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, or collaterally by action such as a habeas corpus petition in the U.S. District Court, if for example, a violation of federal constitutional law is alleged. Statutory provision and rules allow for certain post-conviction petitions.
For more information about criminal procedure, consult Title 4 of the Maryland Rules and the Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure volumes of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
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