COURT OF APPEALS

Chief Judge:
Robert C. Murphy, 2nd Appellate Circuit, 1989

Associate Judges:
Marvin H. Smith, 1st Appellate Circuit, 1986
Vacancy, 3rd Appellate Circuit
James F. Couch, Jr., 4th Appellate Circuit, 1994
John C. Eldridge, 5th Appellate Circuit, 1991
Lawrence F. Rodowsky, 6th Appellate Circuit,
1992
Harry A. Cole, 6th Appellate Circuit, 1988

Alexander L. Cummings, Clerk of the Court
Robert C. Franke, Chief Deputy Clerk

Courts of Appeal Building
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 269-3341

The Court of Appeals of Maryland, the highest
tribunal in the State, was created by the Constitu-
tion of 1776. In the early years of its existence, the
Court met at various locations in Maryland, but
since 1851 has sat only in Annapolis. The term of
the Court begins the second Monday of September
in each year.

The Court is presently composed of seven mem-
bers, . one from each of the first five Appellate
Judicial Circuits and two from the Sixth Appellate
Judicial Circuit (Baltimore City). Members of the
Court, after initial appointment by the Governor
and confirmation by the Senate, run for office on
their records without opposition. If the voters
reject the retention in office of a judge, or if the
vote is tied, that office becomes vacant and must be
filled by a new appointment. Otherwise, the incum-
bent judge is retained in office for a ten-year term.
The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals is
designated by the Governor and is the constitu-
tional administrative head of the Maryland judicial
system.

By legislation effective January 1, 1975, the
Court of Appeals hears cases almost exclusively by
way of certiorari (i.e., on review). The Court may
review a case decided by the Court of Special
Appeals or may bring up for review cases filed in
that court before they are decided there. The Court
of Appeals may also review certain decisions
rendered at the circuit court level if those courts
have acted in an appellate capacity with respect to
an appeal from the District Court. The Court is
empowered to adopt rules of judicial administra-
tion, practice, and procedure, which have the force
of law. It also reviews recommendations of the
State Board of Law Examiners, and conducts

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disciplinary proceedings involving members of the
bench and bar.

The Court of Appeals holds a number of hear-
ings throughout the year in regard to the adoption
or amendment of rules of practice and procedure.
It also supervises the activities of the Attorney
Grievance Commission. Other regular duties in-
clude the admission of persons to the practice of
law (Code Courts and Judicial Proceedings Arti-
cle, secs. 12-301 through 12-307).

The clerk of the Court of Appeals is appointed
by the Court. The clerk maintains the docket,
receives the briefs and transcripts of all cases filed
with the Court, and maintains official custody of
the decisions of the Court, the Acts of the General
Assembly, and all other records that the law may
require to be filed with the Court (Const. 1867,
Art. IV, sec. 17).

COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS

Chief Judge:
Richard P. Gilbert, 6th Appellate Circuit, 1987

Associate Judges:
William H. Adkins II, 1st Appellate Circuit, 1994
Paul E. Alpert, 2nd Appellate Circuit, 1994
James S. Getty, 3rd Appellate Circuit, 1994
John J. Garrity, 4th Apellate Circuit, 1994
Theodore G. Bloom, 5th Appellate Circuit, 1994
Robert M. Bell, 6th Appellate Circuit, 1986
Rosalyn B. Bell, At Large, 1994
John J. Bishop, Jr., At Large, 1992
Robert L. Karwacki, At Large, 1986
Charles E. Moylan, Jr., At Large, 1987
Edward 0, Weant, Jr., At Large, 1988
Alan M. Wilner, At Large, 1988

Howard E. Friedman, Clerk of the Court
Robert J. Booze, Chief Deputy Clerk

Courts of Appeal Building
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 269-3646

The Court of Special Appeals, Maryland's inter-
mediate appellate court, was created in 1966 to
alleviate the caseload in the Court of Appeals,
which had caused that court to develop a substan-
tial backlog.

The Court of Special Appeals sits in Annapolis
and, although it was orginally composed of five
judges, now consists of thirteen members. One
member of the Court is elected from each of the
first five Appellate Judicial Circuits while two
members are elected from the Sixth Appellate