District Court
James S. Sfekas 1987
Fred E. Waldrop 1981
Oerard W. Wittstadt 1986
Joseph T. O'Melia, Administrative Clerk
District 9
Harford County — 3 Judges
Charles J. Kelly, Administrative Judge 1981
Harry St. A. O'Neill 1981
Edwin H. W. Harlan, Jr. 1988
Edward Utz, Administrative Clerk
District 10
Carroll and Howard counties — 4 Judges
J. Thomas Nissel,
Administrative Judge Howard, 1981
Luke K. Bums, Jr. Carroll, 1988
Raymond J. Kane, Jr. Howard, 1988
Donald M. Smith Carroll, 1981
Martha Bush, Administrative Clerk
District 11
Frederick and Washington counties — 4 Judges
J. Louis Boublitz,
Administrative Judge Washington, 1981
Stanley Y. Bennett Frederick, 1981
William W. Wenner Frederick, 1988
Daniel W. Moylan Hagerstown, 1989
Dixie L. Locates, Administrative Clerk
District 12
Allegany and Garrett counties — 3 Judges
Lewis R. Jones,
Administrative Judge Garrett, 1981
Miller Bowen Allegany, 1981
Milton Gerson Allegany, 1981
James S. Stafford, Administrative Clerk
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 Maryland District Court, a state-
wide court of limited jurisdiction. The initial
implementing legislation for the court was con-
tained in Chapter 528 of the Acts of 1970 and
was further supplemented by Chapter 423, Acts
of 1971, and by other 1971 legislation.
The court commenced operation on July 5, 1971,
and functions on a statewide basis in every county
in the State and Baltimore City. The District Court

Judiciary/353
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 uni-
form 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 jurisdiction
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. 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-five 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 automati-
cally presented to the Senate for confirmation for
an additional term. Judges must meet the same
qualifications set out in the Constitution for
judges of the appellate courts and courts of gen-
eral jurisdiction. They must devote their full time
to their judicial duties, and they are prohibited
from engaging in any way in the practice of law.
Within the District Court system there is a Chief
Clerk apointed by the Chief Judge. The Chief
Judge also designates from among the judges an
Administrative Judge for each district. Each dis-
trict also has an administrative clerk. In addition, a
District Court Clerk for each county within a dis-
trict and all other necessary court employees are
chosen. Further commissioners are appointed by
the administrative judge of the district with the ap-
proval of the Chief Judge to function in each coun-
ty and in Baltimore City as may be needed. The
commissioners perform functions similar to the old
Committing Magistrates with respect to issuance
of arrest warrants, setting bail or collateral, or oth-
er terms of pre-trial release pending a hearing or in-
carceration prior to hearing.
The District Court has jurisdiction in criminal,
traffic, and civil matters. It has virtually no equi-
ty jurisdiction and has juvenile jurisdiction in
Montgomery County only. In criminal cases the
court may conduct preliminary hearings in felony
cases; it has general jurisidiction over
misdemeanors, whether common law, statutory,
or established by ordinance, and over criminal