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Appointment Methods/493
COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN MARYLAND
The county court served as the administrative unit of county government from the formation of the
first colonial Maryland counties until 1798, when the levy court assumed its functions. By 1827,
boards of county commissioners began to replace the levy courts. These boards became synonymous
with all county government until the mid-twentieth century. Today, with a board of county commis-
sioners serving executive and legislative functions, twelve counties continue this form: Calvert, Caro-
line, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, and
Washington.
Since 1948, the citizens of several counties have used alternative modes of government. Eight
counties have adopted charter governments: Montgomery (1948), Baltimore (1956), Anne Arundel and
Wicomico (1964), Howard (1968), Prince George's (1970), Harford (1972), and Talbot (1973). In these
counties special departments, agencies, and officers perform functions formerly exercised by the board
of county commissioners. Three additional counties—Kent (1970), Allegany (1974), and Worcester
(1976)—have adopted optional powers of home rule as provided by Article XIF of the Constitution
and Article 25B of the Annotated Code of Maryland. For provisions relating to the counties that do
not fall into these categories, see Article 25 of the Code as amended. Regardless of the form of govern-
ment, however, most traditional offices remain, and although many of them are not regulated by char-
ter they work side by side with the new departments (Const. 1867, Art. XI-A; Code 1957, Art. 25A,
as amended). For this reason the officers, boards, and commissions of all counties, regardless of the
type of county government, are listed according to function rather than according to the legal or ad-
ministrative relationships their charters have created.
Baltimore City became a governmental unit, separate from Baltimore County, with the ratification of
the State Constitution of 1851. While its original incorporation dates from 1796, the City operates un-
der its current charter of 1964. For State provisions for Baltimore City government see Article XI of
the Constitution, as well as the Annotated Code of Maryland.
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JUDICIAL OFFICERS
Circuit Court Resident Judge: Elected by the vot-
ers of the First, Second, and Eighth Judicial Cir-
cuits and in other circuits by the voters of the
county for a fifteen-year term (Const. 1867, Art.
IV, secs. 19-26; Courts Art., secs. 1-501 through
1-503).
Circuit Court Clerk: Elected by the voters of the
county for a four-year term (Const. 1867, Art.
IV, sec. 25; Courts Art., secs. 2-201 through
2-206).
District Court Judge: Appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate for a
ten-year term or until mandatory retirement is
reached at the age of seventy. The District Court
system replaced the previously existing justices of
the peace, county trial magistrates, people's
courts, the Municipal Court of Baltimore City,
and other courts of limited jurisdiction (Const.
1867, Art. IV, sec. 41-D; Courts Art., secs. 1-601
through 1-605).
District Court Administrative Clerk: Appointed by
the chief judge of the District Court upon the
recommendation of the administrative judge of
the District (Const. 1867, Art. IV, sec. 41-F;
Courts Art., sec. 2-602).
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District Court County Clerk: Appointed by the
chief judge of the District Court upon the recom-
mendation of the administrative judge of the Dis-
trict (Courts Art., sec. 2-601).
Orphans' Court Judge: Elected by the voters of
Baltimore City and each county for a four-year
term, except in Montgomery and Harford
counties where the Circuit Court judges perform
that function. The Governor designates the chief
judge (Const. 1867, Art. IV, secs. 20, 40; Code
1957, Art. 93).
Register of Wills: Elected by the voters of the
county for a four-year term (Const. 1867, Art.
IV, sec. 41; Code 1957, Art. 93).
Sheriff: Elected by the voters of the county for a
four-year term (Const. 1867, Art. IV, sec. 44;
Code 1957, Art. 87; Courts Art., secs. 2-301
through 2-309).
State's Attorney: Elected by the voters of the
county for a four-year term (Const. 1867, Art. V,
sec. 7-12).
District Public Defender: Appointed by the Public
Defender with the approval of the Board of
Trustees of the Public Defender System (Code
1957, Art. 27A, sec. 3).
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