Maryland Courts Closed to Public due to Coronavirus COVID-19
Due to the presence of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Maryland State Courts and Maryland Federal Courts will be mostly closed.
MARYLAND STATE COURTS
(updated June 4, 2020 below)
(incl. Maryland Circuit Courts, Maryland District Courts, & Maryland Courts of Appeal)
The Maryland Judiciary and Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera has specifically issued multiple Coronavirus / COVID-19 Court Orders announcing the Closing all Maryland Courts to the Public Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency, effective March 16, 2020. The Orders are constantly updated (below) and interpreted by each individual Circuit Court and District Court (below)
While the Maryland Courts and Maryland Litigation will be closed to the public for most matters, some emergency matters will still occur. The Order notes that all other matters scheduled to be heard between March 16, 2020, through April 3, 2020 (June 5, 2020 – see update below) are postponed pending further order of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. Information regarding the Reopening of Maryland Courts can be found at the following link: Maryland Courts Reopening Schedule.
Specifically, the Maryland Court Closure Order states that:
- (a) All Maryland Circuit Courts, District Courts, and Courts of Appeal (offices and clerk’s offices included) will be specifically CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC on an emergency basis, starting on March 16, 2020; however, Judiciary operations throughout all of the Maryland courts will continue to the extent possible and practicable. Each specific Maryland Circuit Court and District Court will be making specific rulings and decisions on their existing cases and filing. Maryland Circuit Courts, District Courts, and Courts of Appeal personnel are required report to work as scheduled, unless otherwise excused specifically.
- (b) Specifically, Chief Judge has ordered that the following MANDATORY MATTERS WILL CONTINUE and are to be scheduled and continued to be heard in keeping with the urgency of those matters and consistent with required statutory requirements, either in person or remotely pursuant to the Administrative Order which occurred June 18, 2018, and each court will notify all participants necessary to the proceeding.
- (1) In the Maryland Court of Appeals the following matters will continue: (A) certain election law matters (B) certain petitions for Writs of Mandamus (C) certain certified questions of law (D) quarantine and isolation matters
- (2) In the Maryland Court of Special Appeals following matters will continue: (A) requests for injunctive relief pending appeal (B) appeals in cases in which a lack of action would result in a dispositive outcome (C) appeals from quarantine and isolation petitions
- (3) In the Maryland Circuit Courts following matters will continue: (A) bail reviews (B) arraignments (C) emergency Habeas Corpus petitions (D) juvenile detention hearings (E) CINA shelter care and adjudication on shelter care (F) emergency delinquency (G) domestic violence protective petitions (H) appeals from peace orders (I) family law emergencies including petitions for guardianship (J) temporary restraining orders (K) emergency evaluation petitions (L) quarantine and isolation petitions (M) extradition cases (N) Rule 4-271 determinations (Hicks) (O) search warrants (P) body attachments (Q) contempt
- (4) In the Maryland District Court following matters will continue: (A) bail reviews (B) emergency evaluation petitions (C) emergency risk protective order petitions (D) domestic violence protective petitions (E) peace order petitions (F) quarantine and isolation violations (G) initial appearances (H) search warrants (I) applications for statement of charges (J) acceptance of bail bonds (K) bench warrant satisfactions (L) body attachments (M) contempt.
MARYLAND FEDERAL COURTS
(updated March 20, 2020 below)
If you have any questions related to an emergency or non-emergency matter which is scheduled, needs to be scheduled, or was scheduled during this time, please contact our attorneys at our Maryland litigation office at (301) 291-5027 to speak with an attorney to see if we can assist you. At Longman & Van Grack, our civil litigation attorneys address many different types of litigation, including appeals. Our civil litigation lawyers regularly represent clients in commercial litigation, business disputes, real estate and property disputes (including tree damage disputes), contract disputes, adverse possession and quiet title matters, estate litigation, construction litigation, and appeals.
UPDATE (6/4/2020)
Maryland Courts
The schedule for Maryland Courts’ June 5, 2020 Reopening can be found here: Maryland Courts Reopening Schedule..
UPDATE (5/22/2020)
Maryland Courts
Maryland Courts are still preparing to be open to the public on June 5, 2020. There will be a delay in processing cases. Contact the Court’s clerk’s office to determine access and case schedule.
Maryland District Courts
The Maryland District Courts WILL NOT be processing any Affidavit Judgments until the Maryland District Courts are authorized to expand emergency operations.
UPDATE (5/5/2020)
Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings
According to the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings (“OAH”), all in-person proceedings at the OAH (including MHIC Hearings) are temporarily suspended through May 15, 2020. Further, all OAH offices are publicly closed until further notice. As noted by OAH, all requests for an OAH Hearing must be directly mailed to the Hunt Valley OAH at the following address: 11101 Gilroy Road, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031. Remote OAH proceedings will be conducted by administrative law judges for hospitals and other emergencies.
UPDATE (4/30/2020)
Montgomery County Circuit Court
By order of the Circuit Court, all persons entering the Montgomery County Circuit Court will be required to wear a (a) face mask, (b) scarf, or (c) other device covering their nose and mouth. Additionally, the required face covering must be continuously worn by those persons during the time they are in the Montgomery County Circuit Court courthouse.
UPDATE (4/30/2020)
Maryland Court of Appeals
Maryland Court of Appeals has postponed oral arguments scheduled for April 30, 2020, May 1, 2020, and May 4, 2020.
Maryland Court of Appeals has rescheduled oral arguments previously-scheduled on April 2, 2020 and , April 3, 2020, and will be rescheduled for videoconference arguments on May 11, 2020, May 12, 2020, and May 13, 2020,
UPDATE (4/24/2020)
All Maryland State Courts
The Maryland Judiciary has issued an Administrative Order noting that — effective March 16, 2020 until courts are not longer closed to the public due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 — all court deadlines (incl. statutory and rules) related to the initiation of matters required to be filed in a Maryland court (state trial court or appellate court), including statutes of limitations, shall be tolled or suspended.
UPDATE (4/15/2020)
All Maryland State Courts
Maryland has extended the period of restricted Maryland Courts operations through June 8, 2020.
UPDATE (4/15/2020)
Montgomery County Circuit Court
Montgomery County Circuit Court will continue to hear only essential matters:
bail reviews/bench warrants; arraignments for detained defendants; juvenile detention hearings; juvenile shelter care hearings; peace order petitions for juvenile respondents; emergency evaluation petitions; quarantine and isolation petitions; extradition petitions; body attachments; and extreme risk protective order appeals. The court may also hear other emergency matters where appropriate.
Montgomery County Circuit Court remains closed, except for the provision of essential services, until at least June 8, 2020
UPDATE (4/15/2020)
Montgomery County District Court
For the Montgomery County District Court:
- (q) Montgomery County District Court is restricted to emergency operations and are largely closed to the public.
- (2) Montgomery County District Court is authorized to use remote proceedings.
- (3) Montgomery County District Court Judges will be available to hear required emergency matters.
- (4) Montgomery County District Court personnel will answer phones from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
- (5) Montgomery County District Court Judges are available to respond in person, phone, e-mail, other means as determined by the administrative judge.
- (6) Montgomery County District Court matters that will be heard include, bail reviews/bench warrants, emergency evaluation petitions, quarantine and isolation violations, and body attachments.
- (7) Montgomery County District Court Emergency matters that may be considered by the Montgomery County District Court include (a) domestic violence protective orders, (b criminal competency matters, (c) motions regarding ERPOs, DVs, Peace Orders, (d contempt hearings related to peace and protective orders, (e) matters relating to locally incarcerated individuals.
- (8) Montgomery County District Court Competency proceedings(j)(9) are done remotely. Any other hearings granted pursuant the section (j) will be done remotely).
- (9) Montgomery County Search warrants continue to be addressed on a 24-hour basis.
- (10) Montgomery County District Court Matters pending from March 16, 2020 through the end of the emergency are postponed absent notice to the contrary.
- (11) Montgomery County District Court Order of 4/8/2020 continues to control as to statutory rules/deadlines along with the Court’s 4.3.2020 order regarding criminal jury trials (which does not apply to District Court trials.
- (12) Maryland Rules 2-507 and 3-507 are suspended for the emergency period.
- (13) The Montgomery County District Court has a locked box with a date stamp in the courthouse lobby for filings and payments. The box is checked hourly. Filings (not payments) can be made in the Commissioner’s office after 4:30. Filings may be mailed. If you are filing an emergency matter, the District Court has instructed to mark the envelope as “EMERGENCY.”
- (14) Because of the limited resources and finite time, Montgomery County District Court cases scheduled will be limited in time as well. Domestic Violence hearings are scheduled for a TOTAL of thirty (30) minutes. Criminal matters are scheduled for a TOTAL of thirty (30) minutes. Pleas and bond review hearings are limited to 15 minutes TOTAL.
UPDATE (4/2/2020)
Montgomery County Circuit Court
Pleadings and filing are being received by the the Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office via (1) mail and (2) Court drop box on Maryland Avenue. However, the Montgomery County Circuit Court will only be processing and ruling on Emergency Matters.
UPDATE (3/26/2020)
All Maryland State Courts
REGARDING COURT ACTIVITY AND COURT ACCESS:
(a) All Maryland State courts (Circuit Courts, District Courts, and Courts of Appeal), court offices, administrative offices, units of the Judiciary, and the Offices of the Clerks of the Circuit Courts and the clerks’ offices of the District Court will remain restricted to emergency operations, except as otherwise described in this Order, and closed to the public with limited exceptions, through May 1, 2020, pending further orders from the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals; and
(b) During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, each Maryland Circuit Court/District Court, County and Baltimore City will be required sufficient judges to hear the emergency matters listed in section (f) each weekday during the pendency of any Order from the Chief Judge; and
(c) During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, “essential personnel” will be required to report to the Courts as needed (District Court, Circuit Court, and Courts of Appeal).
(d) During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, all incumbent Maryland judges have been cross-designated to sit in any trial court in the state of Maryland; and
(e) During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, incumbent judges shall be available to respond in person or remotely by phone, e-mail or other electronic means, as shall be determined by their administrative judge; and
REGARDING TIMING OF FILINGS:
(q) During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, the date of filing will be considered the date a mailed filing has been postmarked or, if filed via a drop box, the previous business day, unless there is a timestamp on the drop box; and
REGARDING MARYLAND STATE MATTERS WHICH WILL OCCUR:
(f) During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, in keeping with the urgency of the following mandatory matters and consistent with statutory requirements, such matters shall continue to be scheduled or heard, either in person or remotely pursuant to the Administrative Order on Remote Electronic Participation in Judicial Proceedings, June 18, 2018. (The court shall notify all participants necessary to the matter or proceeding.):
(1) In the Maryland Court of Appeals:
(A) certain election law matters
(B) certain petitions for Writs of Mandamus
(C) certain certified questions of law
(D) quarantine and isolation matters;
(2) In the Maryland Court of Special Appeals:
(A) requests for injunctive relief pending appeal
(B) appeals in cases in which a lack of action would result in a
dispositive outcome
(C) appeals from quarantine and isolation petitions;
(3) In the Maryland County and City Circuit Courts:
(A) bail reviews/bench warrants
(B) arraignments for detained defendants
(C) juvenile detention hearings
(D) peace order petitions (juvenile respondents)
(E) emergency evaluation petitions
(F) quarantine and isolation petitions
(G) extradition cases
(H) body attachments
(I) extreme risk protective order appeals
All other emergency matters shall be handled pursuant to (g);
(4) In the Maryland County and City District Courts:
(A) bail reviews/bench warrants
(B) emergency evaluation petitions
(C) quarantine and isolation violations
(D) body attachments
Maryland District Court Commissioners shall handle the following matters:
(A) new extreme risk protective order petitions
(B) new domestic violence protective petitions
(C) new peace order petitions (adult respondents)
(D) initial appearances
(E) applications for statement of charges
(F) acceptance of bail bonds
(G) bench warrant satisfactions
(g) During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, for all other emergency matters including those listed below, the Maryland Circuit Court or District Court administrative judge (the person he or her has designeed) shall review the petition, determine whether it must be heard in person, or can be heard with remote electronic participation, or can be scheduled after the emergency period has ended, or can be resolved without a hearing:
(1) shelter care hearings and/or related adjudications
(2) emergency delinquency hearings
(3) emergency Habeas Corpus petitions
(4) emergency issues in guardianship matters
(5) domestic violence protective orders
(6) appeals from peace orders
(7) family law emergencies
(8) temporary restraining orders
(9) criminal competency matters
(10) motions regarding:extreme risk protective orders
(B) domestic violence protective orders
(C) peace orders
(11) contempt hearings related to peace or protective orders
(12) matters involving locally incarcerated defendants; and
(h) The Maryland General Court Orders do not affect the courts’ consideration or resolution of matters that can be addressed without a proceeding that involves testimony or argument; and
(i) During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, search warrants must be addressed on a 24-hour, 7-day per week basis. Search warrants shall be handled electronically to the greatest extent possible. The administrative judges of the Circuit Courts and the District Court each shall designate a judge who is responsible to cover search warrant duty for a specified timeframe; and
MATTERS POSTPONED THROUGH MAY 1, 2020
(j) During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, all other matters, including jury trials, scheduled to be heard beginning March 17, 2020, through May 1, 2020, are hereby postponed, unless otherwise ordered by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals; and
(k) During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, Maryland Courts further are authorized to conduct remote proceedings using communication platforms, consistent with the Administrative Order on the Implementation of Remote Electronic Participation in Judicial Proceedings filed June 18, 2018, and the Administrative Order on Remote Hearings Held During the COVID-19 Emergency filed March 20, 2020. To the extent that the Administrative Order on the Implementation of Remote Electronic Participation in Judicial Proceedings filed June 18, 2018, requires the approval of the State Court Administrator for communications platforms being utilized for remote proceedings, that requirement is waived for the pendency of the COVID-19 emergency; and (l) Pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-1003(a)(7), statutory and rules deadlines related to the adjudication of criminal and juvenile matters shall be suspended and shall be extended by the number of days that the courts are closed by order of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, but no fewer than twenty-one (21) business days after the first day that the courts have been
reopened; and
(m) Scheduling orders issued in civil and family law matters shall be addressed by motion on a case-by-case basis by the administrative judge or his or her designee consistent with the Court’s case management plan; and
COURT PHONE ACCESS:
(n) During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, the Maryland Court of Appeals has asked that “essential court personnel” to be available to the public by telephone between the hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
MARYLAND COURT ELECTRONIC FILING:
During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, MDEC continues to be available for electronic filing and is required to be used for all MDEC counties. For pleadings not required to be filed electronically, filings will be received by mail and may be received via drop boxes installed at local courthouses; and
Clerks for each and every Maryland Court have been ordered to continue to process MDEC or other electronic filings and paper filings to the extent possible with essential staff working onsite, staff teleworking, or both; and
DEADLINES STILL OPERATIONAL
During this Maryland Court COVID-19 emergency, other than as set forth in the Maryland Court’s Administrative Order, deadlines established by Maryland statutes or rules remain in effect; and
UPDATE (3/25/2020)
Montgomery County District Court
The Montgomery County District Court procedures and policies are adjusted daily as we work to meet the requirements of due process, the health/safety recommendations of the CDC/MDH, and the availability of District Court staff.
Entry into the Rockville or Silver Spring Montgomery County District Court courthouse buildings is very limited. A mandatory, 2-question pre-screening must be completed by everyone who enters (including all judiciary employees). District Court Bailiffs conduct the screening during business hours. DGS security guards conduct the screening thereafter. Anyone who is denied entry to Montgomery County District Court courthouse buildings is provided with information about how to obtain Montgomery County District Court services.
The Montgomery County Commissioner’s offices at the Rockville District Court and at the Central Processing Unit remain open 24/7/365. Only individuals with specific essential business are permitted in the offices. Anyone who is denied entry to Montgomery County District Court courthouse buildings will recieve a notice of how to obtain court services. No party is denied Montgomery County District Court services.
Rockville Montgomery County District Court is hearing bond reviews daily at 1:00 pm.
Emergency Evaluation Petitions and Extreme Risk Protective Orders are heard in the Rockville location on a walk-in basis.
Counsel for Montgomery County District Court matters is permitted to appear in person, via telephone, Skype, or other remote option as provided in Chief Judge Barbera’s March 20, 2020 order regarding remote proceedings. Only attorneys of record on Montgomery County District Court matters is admitted to the courthouse for a bond hearing.
Interim domestic violence protective orders for Montgomery County District Court are being scheduled in extremely limited circumstances. Pursuant to the Maryland March 16, 2020 order, upon determination by a judge that an emergency exists, a temporary DV hearing will be scheduled. Such hearings can also be conducted remotely.
Montgomery County District Court DV and bond hearings are very slow. Staggered hearing times are set for civil protective orders. Orders must be prepared by a single courtroom clerk. Copying and service of the orders must occur separately for parties who are present. Courtrooms must be cleaned following the departure of parties – and prior to another being allowed into the courtroom.
The new Montgomery County District Court procedures are for everyone’s safety, particularly the Montgomery County District Court court staff required to be present. The new Montgomery County District Court procedures will not be compromised.
The Montgomery County District Court staff is necessarily limited to essential employees only. The Montgomery County District Court civil and criminal/traffic offices are working collaboratively.
Filing pleadings and papers can be accomplished in 2 ways: by US mail and by lock box in the lobby of the Rockville Montgomery County District Court building. There is a time stamp at the box. The box is emptied hourly during the business day. Afterhours pleadings can be filed in the Montgomery County Commissioner’s office at the Rockville Montgomery County District Court.
Because the Montgomery County District Court clerk’s office is closed, most District Court filings are not being processed. Summonses are not being issued, and postings are not being processed.
Paying Montgomery County tickets/citations can be accomplished in 3 ways: US mail, on-line, by drop box in the lobby of the Rockville Montgomery County District Court. The box is emptied hourly during the business day. Commissioners CANNOT accept payment for citations/tickets.
The Silver Spring Montgomery County District Court location is closed completely. The Montgomery County District Court Commissioner’s office is open sporadically. Before going to the Silver Spring Montgomery County District Court commissioner, please call 301-563-8850 to verify when the office will be staffed.
UPDATE (3/20/2020)
Montgomery County District Court
The following update of the Montgomery County District Court Closing is detailed below. Some court functions will be open, most are closed. Check back to this page for further updates
MANDATORY CASES HEARD DAILY
ALL MONTGOMERY COUNTY BAIL REVIEWS
ALL MONTGOMERY COUNTY BENCH WARRANTS
ALL MONTGOMERY COUNTY BODY ATTACHMENTS
ALL MONTGOMERY COUNTY EMERGENCY EVALUATION PETITION
ALL MONTGOMERY COUNTY QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION VIOLATIONS
ACCESS TO THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT WILL BE STRICTLY LIMITED TO LAWYERS, LITIGANTS FOR THESE CASES AND CREDENTIALED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA ONLY
THE FOLLOWING MONTGOMERY COUNTY EMERGENCY CASES HEARD IN THE COURT’S DISCRETION
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PROTECTIVE ORDERS
CRIMINAL COMPETENCY
TYPES OF MOTIONS REGARDING
EXTREME RISK PROTECTIVE ORDERS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS/CUSTODY CONCERNS/GUNS/VACATE HOME
PEACE ORDERS
CONTEMPT HEARINGS-PEACE AND PROTECTIVE ORDERS
MATTERS REGARDING LOCALLY INCARCERATED DEFENDANTS
LITIGANTS MAY FILE A REQUEST FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY EMERGENCY HEARING/RULING:
MONTGOMERY COUNTY CASES CAN BE BY PHONE OR REMOTE VIDEO (SKYPE OR ZOOM, ETC.)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY CASES CAN BE AFTER THE EMERGENCY PERIOD HAS ENDED
MONTGOMERY COUNTY CASES CAN BE DECIDED WITHOUT A HEARING.
**THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT’S CLERK’S OFFICE IS CLOSED**
HOW TO FILING MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLEADINGS:
US MAIL THROUGH THE DROP BOX 8:30 AM-4:30 PM* M-F
THROUGH THE COMMISSIONER-4:30 PM-8:30 AM & SAT/SUN
HOW TO MAKE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PAYMENTS
US MAIL
DROP BOX 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
ALL OTHER MONTGOMERY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT CASES ARE CONTINUED AND WILL BE RESET BY MAIL
THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT NO BENCH WARRANT WILL ISSUED
QUESTIONS FOR THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT YOU CAN CALL 301-563-8800 – 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFFICES ARE OPEN
Rockville, MD at 191 E. Jefferson Street — OPEN 24/7/365
Central Processing Unit at 1307 Seven Locks Rd — OPEN 24/7/365
Silver Spring at 8552 Second Avenue — OPEN 8:00 AM -12:00 AM DAILY
LITIGANTS CAN GO DIRECTLY TO THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
FILE MONTGOMERY COUNTY CRIMINAL CHARGES
HAVE AN INITIAL MONTGOMERY COUNTY APPEARANCE ADVICE OF RIGHTS
POST BAIL/BOND
SPECIFICALLY SATISFY A BENCH WARRANT
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTION
PEACE ORDER PROTECTION
EXTREME RISK PROTECTIVE ORDER PROTECTION
UPDATE (3/20/2020)
Montgomery County Circuit Court
The Administrative Judge of the specific Maryland Court, the Montgomery County Circuit Court, has issued the following Court Notice:
The Montgomery County Circuit Court is CLOSED for all but “essential business of an emergency nature effective immediately” (this will last until at least April 3, 2020). This closure, according to the Court, means that virtually all motions, trials, hearings, and other court proceedings that were previously scheduled to take place in the Montgomery County Circuit Court will not be heard.
The specific limited number of cases that this Montgomery County Circuit Court is required to hear are eight (8) in number:
(a) bail reviews;
(b) arraignments for detained defendants;
(c) juvenile detention hearings; emergency evaluation petitions;
(d) quarantine and isolation petitions;
(e) extradition cases;
(f) body attachments; and
(g) extreme risk protection order (ERPO) appeals.
The Montgomery County Circuit Court also has discretionary authority to hear twelve (12) additional types of cases deemed emergency in nature, but the Montgomery County Circuit Court is not required to take these cases. Since the idea of the Montgomery County Circuit Court closure is to minimize human traffic in the courthouse, the court will exercise its emergency authority sparingly.
Every effort is going to be made by the judges of the Montgomery County Circuit Court to hold required hearings electronically, video conference, or by phone.
The Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office has announced that it will remain accessible by PHONE ONLY and Montgomery County Circuit Court court filings can be mailed or placed in the secure night dropbox located at the Montgomery County Circuit Court entrace on Maryland Avenue. All other Montgomery County Circuit Court entrances are CLOSED.
All persons who wish to file emergency motions should alert the Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and provide a telephone number. The Administrative Judge will specifically decide whether the emergency motion will be heard or not, and will notify all parties by phone.
There may be a limited number of Montgomery County Circuit Court cases already scheduled in the next several weeks that fall into one of the eight (8) mandatory categories set forth above. Please check the Montgomery County Circuit Court dockets on this website, or the judge to whom the case has been assigned, to see whether a specific case will be heard on the scheduled date.
Montgomery County Circuit Court search warrants will be handled by the Administrative Judge, and Montgomery County after-hours warrants will be considered pursuant to the regular procedures by a duty judge of the District Court or Montgomery County Circuit Court. Montgomery County protective orders and peace orders are obtainable through the Commissioner. The Montgomery County Circuit Court Grand Jury will NOT be convening through April 3, but Montgomery County Drug and Mental Health Courts will meet by remote electronic participation only. Foreclosure sales, because they occur outside of the courthouse, will continue to occur.
UPDATE (3/20/2020)
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
On March 20, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (“Maryland Federal District Court”) issued Standing Order 2020-05 concerning Maryland Federal District Court operations under the exigent circumstances created by COVID-19. This Maryland Federal District Court Order suspends non-emergency Maryland Federal District Court proceedings, excuses jurors, extends certain filing deadlines, and closes access to the intake counters in the Maryland Federal District Courthouses. The Maryland Federal District Court remains open for Maryland Federal District Court electronic filings through CM/ECF and paper filings by drop boxes located in each Maryland Federal District Court courthouse, as specified in the Order. Maryland Federal District Court Clerk’s Office staff remain available during business hours to answer case-related questions or address inquiries related to the Maryland Federal District Court’s operating status. The Maryland Federal District Court Clerk’s Office number is (410) 962-2600.
If you are intending to come to one of the Maryland Federal District Court Courthouses, review Second Amended Standing Order 2020-02 concerning restrictions on visitors. Members of the public are no longer permitted to enter the Maryland Federal District Court courthouse except for litigants with scheduled proceedings, counsel of record, investigators or employees of counsel, and credentialed press. This Maryland Federal District Court Order does not affect access to the drop boxes for each Division.
On March 18, 2020, the Maryland Federal District Court issued a COVID-19 Pandemic Procedures Order temporarily suspending all in-court proceedings in Greenbelt: the Maryland Federal District Court Southern Division Courthouse. All emergency civil, criminal, or bankruptcy matters arising in the Southern Division will be heard in the Northern Division. This Maryland Federal District Court Order does not affect the availability of electronic case filing through CM/ECF for Southern Division cases or access to the Southern Division drop box between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
UPDATE (3/17/2020)
Frederick County Circuit Court & District Court
THE FREDERICK COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT CLERK’S OFFICE IS WORKING UNDER RESTRICTED OPERATIONS
DUE TO THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY ORDER OF THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE MARYLAND COURT OF APPEALS:
(a) All Maryland courts, court offices, administrative offices, units of the Judiciary, and the Offices of the Clerks of the Circuit Courts and the clerks’ office of the District Court shall be restricted to emergency operations and closed with limited exceptions as described in this order beginning March 17, 2020, through April 3, 2020, or until further order of the Chief Judge of the Court of
Appeals.
(f) [Error in Original] The following FREDERICK COUNTY mandatory matters and consistent with statutory requirements, such matters shall continue to be scheduled or heard, either in person or remotely pursuant to the Administrative Order on Remote Electronic Participation in Judicial Proceedings, June 18, 2018.
(The court shall notify all participants necessary to the proceeding.):
(3) In the Circuit Courts:
(A) bail reviews/bench warrants
(B) arraignments for detained defendants
(C) juvenile detention hearings
(D) emergency evaluation petitions
(E) quarantine and isolation petitions
(F) extradition cases
(G) body attachments
(H) extreme risk protective order appeals
(g) For all other FREDERICK COUNTY emergency matters including those listed below, the administrative judge or his or her designee shall review the petition, determine whether it must be heard in person, or can be heard with remote electronic participation, or can be scheduled after the emergency period has ended, or can be resolved without a hearing:
(1) shelter care hearing and/or related adjudications
(2) emergency delinquency hearings
(3) emergency Habeas Corpus petitions
(4) emergency issues in guardianship matters
(5) domestic violence protective orders
(6) appeals for peace orders
(7) family law emergencies
(8) temporary restraining orders
(9) criminal competency matters
(10) motions regarding:
(A) extreme risk protective orders
(B) domestic violence protective orders
(C) peace orders
(11) contempt hearings related to peace or protective orders
(12) matters involving locally incarcerated defendants;
(l) Essential FREDERICK COUNTY court personnel shall be available to the public by telephone between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MDEC continues to be available for electronic filing and is required to be used for all MDEC counties. For pleadings not required to be filed electronically, filings will be received by mail and may be received via drop boxes installed at local courthouses.
Only the following FREDERICK COUNTY DISTRICT COURT case types will be heard, either in-person or remotely,
beginning March 17, 2020:
(A) bail reviews/bench warrants (B) emergency evaluation petitions (C) quarantine and isolation violations (D) body attachments AND, other matters as ordered by the judge.
Only the parties, attorneys, and testifying witnesses are permitted to attend these FREDERICK COUNTY DISTRICT COURT proceedings, with no exceptions, unless permission is expressly granted by the FREDERICK COUNTY Administrative Judge to do so.
All other trials, motions or hearings scheduled between March 17, 2020 through April 3, 2020 are continued. You will receive notice of any new dates by mail. The FREDERICK COUNTY DISTRICT COURT Clerks’ office will not be interacting with members of the public or attorneys, except by telephone. All DISTRICT COURT court filings shall be mailed or placed in the FREDERICK COUNTY court’s dropbox, located inside the FREDERICK COUNTY Courthouse during the court’s hours of operation.
The clerks’ office telephone numbers are:
FREDERICK COUNTY DISTRICT COURT – 301-600-2000
FREDERICK COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT – 301-600-1976.
UPDATE (3/15/2020)
Montgomery County Circuit Court
The Administrative Judge of the specific Maryland Court, the Montgomery County Circuit Court, has issued the following Court Notice:
Pursuant to The Maryland State Court Coronavirus Order of March 13, 2020, closing state courthouses to the public on an emergency basis, the following information is provided specifically for Montgomery County Circuit Court:
In accord with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Montgomery County Circuit Court seeks to limit the level, duration and quality of contact among persons who frequent the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. To that end, all persons who enter the Montgomery County Circuit Court Courthouse are encouraged to practice good hygiene, by frequently washing their hands, keeping an appropriate distance from others and – in the case of employees – keeping work stations, keyboards and phones clean.
The Court has order that commonly-used surfaces in the Montgomery County Circuit Court Courthouse, including the areas around doors and elevators, are cleaned twice a day by county crews.
As of March 14, 2020, the Montgomery County Circuit Court has noted the following:
All Montgomery County Circuit Court cases, including jury trials, that carried over from March 13 will resume on Monday, March 16 to their ultimate conclusion. All Montgomery County Circuit Court parties, witnesses, attorneys and jurors involved in those cases are required report to court as scheduled on March 16, subject to the terms of Montgomery County Circuit Court‘s Updated Administrative Order Regarding Coronavirus, dated March 13, 2020. Members of the public and the news media will be permitted to enter to the Courthouse to attend the State v. Panton matter which will continue.
All other Montgomery County Circuit Court trials, motions, or hearings scheduled to commence for one day or less on March 16 will be heard as scheduled. However, only the Montgomery County Circuit Court parties, attorneys, and testifying witnesses will be allowed to attend those trials, motions, or hearings, with no exceptions, unless permission is expressly granted by the Montgomery County Circuit Court.
The Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerks’s office has been ordered to not interact with any members of the public (including attorneys), except by telephone. Thus, all Montgomery County Circuit Court court filings will be required to be mailed or placed in the court’s after-hours dropbox — the dropbox is located on the Maryland Avenue side of the Montgomery County Circuit Court North Tower, with no exceptions.
Other than Maryland judges, employees of this courthouse, Montgomery County Register of Wills office, and Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, the only persons who may access the Montgomery County Circuit Court are the following (a) litigants, (b) attorneys or testifying witnesses in a case scheduled for hearing on a particular day; (c) Public Defenders; (d) probation agents; (e) Montgomery County Office of Child Support; (f) Pretrial Services employees; (g) Department of Juvenile Justice employees; and (h) Department of Health and Human Services employees. Any other user of the Montgomery County Circuit Court who frequently appears on behalf of a government agency who is not on the list above should contact the court specifically.
UPDATE
Prince George’s County Circuit Court
The Prince George’s County Circuit Court has made clear only that the County Circuit Courthouse will be closed to the public through April 6, 2020.
The Court has advised that employees are expected to report to work in the usual course.
There will be no Grand Jury or Petit Jury through April 6, 2020.
UPDATE
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court
Anne Arundel Circuit Court Administrative Judge Ripken has announced the following conditions for the Court:
(1) All cases, including jury trials, that carried over from Friday, March 13 will resume on Monday, March 16 to their conclusion. All parties, witnesses, attorneys and jurors involved in those cases (including State v. Ricky Dejuan Jones) must report to court as scheduled on March 16, subject to the terms of the State of Maryland Order Regarding Coronavirus from March 13, 2020.
(2) Members of the public including news media will be admitted to the Anne Arundel Circuit Court Courthouse to attend the State v. Ricky Dejuan Jones trial. All other matters on the currently posted dockets for March 16 before any judge or magistrate, shall be heard as scheduled. Only the parties, attorneys, and testifying witnesses are permitted to attend Anne Arundel Circuit Court trials, motions or hearings, with no exceptions, unless permission is expressly granted by the Administrative Judge to do so.
(3) The Anne Arundel Circuit Court Clerks’s office will not be interacting with members of the public or attorneys, except by telephone. All court filings shall be filed via MDEC or, in the case of self-represented litigants or non-MDEC matters, mailed or placed in the court’s dropbox, located immediately inside security at the front door of the Anne Arundel Circuit Court Courthouse, with no exceptions. The Court will remain operational, pleadings will be processed, and the Court will make rulings when appropriate.
(4) Other than judges, employees of this courthouse, Register of Wills office, and State’s Attorney’s Office, the only persons who may access the Anne Arundel Circuit Court are litigants, attorneys or testifying witnesses in a case scheduled for hearing on a particular day; Public Defenders; probation agents; Anne Arundel County Office of Child Support; Pretrial Services employees; Department of Juvenile Justice employees; and Department of Health and Human Services employees. Any other user of the courthouse who frequently appears on behalf of a government agency who is not on the list above should contact the Administrative Judge.
(5) The Anne Arundel Circuit Court law library, Family Law Self-Help Center, notary services, any classes offered or attended in the Circuit Courthouse, and Lawyer Referral Service will be closed to the public, except that attorneys or litigants who are in court for hearing or trial may use the library on the day of their hearing or trial.
(6) The Maryland State Order permits additional matters to be heard if they can be reasonably accommodated in a manner that is consistent with her Order. Hence, if there are other docket related matters that are believed to require the Anne Arundel Circuit Court’s immediate attention, file a proper pleading. Your request will be reviewed, and if the Anne Arundel Circuit Court determines the issue requires immediate attention, a conference call or a hearing will be set as appropriate.
(7) Regarding Anne Arundel Circuit Court cases that are being postponed during this time frame, the court and judge will re-set all matters. Given the number of cases, it will not be possible to co-ordinate all dates with counsel/litigants. The expectation is that counsel/litigants will make themselves available when at all possible. However, if the re-set date poses a hardship, the court will be flexible with postponement requests provided they are promptly made in writing, and as far in advance of the re-set date as possible.
UPDATE
Howard County Circuit Court
THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR HOWARD COUNTY IS OPEN FOR LIMITED BUSINESS ON MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 THROUGH APRIL 3, 2020, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Pursuant to The Maryland State Court Order, regarding emergency status, no one exhibiting illness will be permitted in the courthouse and the following additional information is provided.
The following Howard County Circuit Court mandatory matters shall continue to be scheduled and heard:
• Bail reviews
• Arraignments (including criminal settlement conferences)
• Emergency Habeas Corpus petitions
• Juvenile detention hearings
• CINA shelter care and adjudication on shelter care
• Emergency delinquency
• Domestic violence protective petitions
• Appeals from peace orders
• Family law emergencies including petitions for guardianship
• Temporary restraining orders
• Emergency evaluation petitions
• Quarantine and isolation petitions
• Extraditions cases
• Rule 4-271 determinations (Hicks)
• Search warrants
• Body attachments
• Contempt
Only the parties, attorneys, and testifying witnesses are permitted to attend the above events, unless permission is expressly granted by the Administrative Judge to do so. Dockets are updated daily and link within. The Howard County Circuit Court Clerk’s office will not be interacting with members of the public or attorneys, except by telephone. All court filings shall be electronically filed by attorneys or, if self-represented, mailed or placed in the dropbox, located at the security station immediately inside the courthouse. Land Records/Licensing Office is available by phone at 410-313-5850 and by mail. ALL WEDDING CEREMONIES ARE CANCELLED.
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