382/Maryland Manual

Charles E. Moylan, Jr.,
At Large Baltimore, 1987

Edward 0. Weant, Jr.,
At Large Westminster, 1990

Thomas Hunter Lowe
At Large Wittman, 1989

David T. Mason
At Large Baltimore, 1991

Ridgely P. Melvin, Jr.
At Large Annapolis, 1991

Alan M. Wilner
At Large Baltimore, 1988

Howard E. Friedman, Clerk of the Court
David L. Terzian, Chief Deputy Clerk

Courts of Appeal Building
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 269-3646

The creation of the Court of Special Appeals
was authorized by an amendment to the Consti-
tution, which was ratified on November 8, 1966.
The implementing legislation creating the Court
was provided by Chapters 11 and 12, Acts of
1966 (Const. 1867, Art. IV, sec. 14A; Courts Ar-
ticle, secs. 1-402; (a) and (b), 1-403 (a)-(c)).

The Court was originally composed of five
judges, each of whom was elected from a special
appellate circuit. Its jurisdiction was limited to
hearing primarily criminal appeals except where
the death sentence was imposed.

By Chapter 99, Acts of 1970, the number of
judges was increased from five to nine. The spe-
cial appellate judicial circuits were abolished and
the new law provided that one judge should be
elected from each of the five Appellate Judicial
Circuits and two from the Sixth Appellate Judi-
cial Circuit representing Baltimore City. By
Chapter 361, Acts of 1972, the number of judges
was increased from nine to ten. By Chapter 706,
Acts of 1974, the number of judges was increased
to twelve, with five judges elected from the State
at large. By Chapter 252, Acts of 1977, the num-
ber of judges was increased to thirteen, with six
judges elected from the State at large. Cases be-
fore the Court are heard by a panel of not less
than three judges. The terms of the judges are for
ten years and the Governor designates one mem-
ber of the court as the chief judge.

Chapter 2, Acts of 1973, Chapters 359 and
448, Acts of 1975, and Chapters 338 and 457,

Circuit Court

Acts of 1976, gave the Court of Special Appeals
exclusive initial appellate jurisdiction over any
reviewable judgment, decree, order, or other ac-
tion of a Circuit Court or Orphans' Court, except
for appeals in criminal cases in which the death
penalty is imposed (Chapter 3, Acts of 1978).

The clerk of the Court of Special Appeals is
appointed by the Court. He maintains the docket,
receives the records and briefs of all appeals filed
with the Court, and maintains official custody of
the decisions of the Court.

CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND

FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Dorchester
counties—6 Judges

Daniel T. Prettyman, Chief Berlin, 1981
Charles E. Edmondson Cambridge, 1991
Richard M. Pollitt' Salisbury, 1989
Lloyd L. Simpkins Princess Anne, 1991
Edward 0. Thomas Snow Hill, 1995
Alfred T. Truitt, Jr. Salisbury, 1993

SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot
counties—6 Judges

George B. Rasin, it.,'Chief Chestertown, 1993
Clayton Cann Carter Centreville, 1995
Harry E. dark Easton, 1983
Donaldson C. Cole, Jr. North East, 1995
K. Thomas Everngam Denton, 1993
H. Kenneth Mackey Elkton, 1983

THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Baltimore and Harford counties—13 Judges

John E. Raine, Jr., Chief Towson, 1987
Paul E. Alpert Pikesville, 1993
Austin W. Brizendine, Sr. Towson, 1995
William R. Buchanan Towson, 1993
Brodnax Cameron, Jr. Bel Air, 1993
Frank E. Cicone' Towson, 1989
Albert P. Close Church ville, 1983
Edward A. DeWaters Towson, 1991
Walter R. Haile Towson, 1983
Edward D. Higinbothom Bel Air, 1991
Cullen H. Hormes Lutherville, 1995
James S. Sfekas Timonium, 1982
James H. Langrell Towson, 1982