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MARYLAND MANUAL 437 Stanley Y. Bennett, Frederick County ......................... 1981 J. Louis Boublitz, Washington County ......................... 1981 Administrative Clerk: Charles L. Schleigh District 12: Allegany and Garrett Counties—3 Judges Lewis R. Jones, Garrett County, Administrative Judge ......... 1981 Miller Bowen, Allegany County .............................. 1981 Milton Gerson, Allegany County ..............................1981 Administrative Clerk: James S. Stafford A proposed constitutional amendment in 1969 which was ratified by the voters in the State at the November, 1970 General Election brought into existence the new Maryland District Court, a state wide court of limited jurisdiction. The initial implementing legislation for the court was contained in Chapter 528 of the Acts of 1970 and was further supplemented by Chapter 423, Acts of 1971 and by other 1971 legislation. The new court commenced operation on July 6, 1971 and functions on a state wide basis in every county in the State and Baltimore City. The District Court is part of the State's Judicial system, is a court of record and replaces entirely the theretofore existing justices of the peace, the county trial magistrates, the People's Courts in certain counties, the People's Court of Baltimore City and the Municipal Court of Baltimore City. It has uniform jurisdiction throughout the State and, in Montgomery County only, it has also been given juvenile court jurisdiction as existed prior thereto in the People's Court for that county. Although the District Court is a court of limited juris- diction, it has been given expanded jurisdiction over the prior existing lower court systems. In accordance with constitutional provisions, the first Chief Judge of the District Court was appointed by the Governor. Any subsequent chief judges will be appointed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals from among the judges of the court. By statute, the State is divided into twelve judicial districts. In addition to the Chief Judge, eighty associate judges are authorized by law. District Court judges are appointed by the Governor for ten-year terms, subject to con- firmation by the Senate. At the expiration of a ten-year term, the name of the judge is automatically presented to the Senate for con- firmation for an additional term. Judges must meet the same quali- fications set out in the Constitution for judges of the appellate courts and courts of general jurisdiction. They must devote their full time to their judicial duties, and they are strictly prohibited from engag- ing, in any way, in the practice of law. Within the District Court system there is a Chief Clerk appointed by the Chief Judge. The Chief Judge also designates from among the judges an Administrative Judge for each district. Each district also has an administrative clerk. In addition, a District Court Clerk for each county within a district and all other necessary court employees have also been chosen. Further, commissioners will be appointed by the administrative judge of the district with the approval of the Chief Judge to function in each county and in Baltimore City as may be needed. The commissioners will perform functions similar to the old Committing Magistrates with respect to issuance of arrest warrants, setting bail or collateral, or other terms of pre-trial release, pending a hearing or incarceration prior to hearing. The District Court has jurisdiction in criminal, traffic, and civil matters. It has no equity jurisdiction and has juvenile jurisdiction in Montgomery County only. In criminal cases the court may conduct |
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Maryland Manual, 1973-74
| Volume 176, Page 437 View pdf image (33K) |
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