3 54/Maryland Manual
violations of state and local regulations. In addi-
tion, it has jurisdiction over certain enumerated
felonies if the amount or value of the goods taken
or obtained by the party charged does not exceed
$500. Its jurisdiction is exclusive if the penalty
may not exceed confinement for one day less than
three years or a fine of $2,999, or both. If the
confinement is three years or more, or the fine is
$3,000 or above the jurisdiction is concurrent
with the Circuit Court.
The traffic jurisdiction of the court extends to
almost every violation of the Vehicle Law, if the
offense is not classified as a felony.
In civil cases, the District Court has exclusive
jurisdiction if the amount claimed does not ex-
ceed S2,500 and in cases involving landlord and
tenant replevin, forcible entry and detainer, and
grantee suits regardless of amount involved.
Where the claim exceeds $2,500 and up to a max-
imum of $5,000, it has concurrent jurisdiction
with the trial courts of general jurisdiction. If the
amount in controversy in a civil suit is in excess
of $500, then either party has the right to de-
mand a jury trial, in which event, upon timely

District Court
demand being made, the case will be transferred
from the District Court to a trial court of general
jurisdiction. In criminal and traffic cases a right
to trial by jury exists if the punishment for the
crime may exceed confinement for a period of
over three months. The State may not demand a
jury trial.
Appeals from decisions of the District Court
are taken to the Circuit Court in the county in
which the judgment was rendered. In Baltimore
City, criminal and traffic case appeals are taken
to the Criminal Court of Baltimore City and civil
cases to the Baltimore City Court. In criminal
and traffic cases and in civil cases of less than
$500 the appeal shall be tried de now unless the
parties agree to an appeal on the record. In civil
cases involving claims of more than $500 the ap-
peal shall be on the record. The time for noting
an appeal in all cases must be within thirty days
from the date of judgement in the District Court
(Code 1957, Art. 26, sees. 139-157; Code Courts
Article, sees. 1-601 through 1-608, 2-601 through
2-607, 4-301 through 4-304, 4-401 through 4-530,
6-403, 7-301, 7-302, 9-201, 11-402, 11-701
through 11-703,12-401).