COURT OF APPEALS

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

Associate Judges:
William H. Adkins II 1st Appellate Circuit, 1996
John F. McAuliffe 3rd Appellate Circuit, 1995
Albert T. Blackwell, 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: 974-3341

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.

The Court is composed of seven members, one
from each of the first five Appellate Judicial Cir-
cuits 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 incumbent 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 constitutional administra-
tive 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 deci-
sions rendered at the circuit court level if those
courts have acted in an appellate capacity with re-
spect to an appeal from the District Court. The
Court is empowered to adopt rules of judicial ad-
ministration, practice, and procedure, which have
the force of law. It also reviews recommendations

of the State Board of Law Examiners, and con-
ducts 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, sees. 12-301 through 12-307).

The clerk of the Court of Appeals is appointed
by the Court. The clerk maintains the docket, re-
ceives 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 Gener-
al 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:
Richard M. Pollitt 1st Appellate Circuit, 1996
Paul E. Alpert 2nd Appellate Circuit, 1994
William W. Wenner 3rd Appellate Circuit, 1995
John J. Garrity 4th Appellate Circuit, 1994
Theodore G. Bloom 5th Appellate Circuit, 1994
Robert M. Bell 6th Appellate Circuit, 1996
Rosalyn B. Bell At Large, 1994
John J. Bishop, Jr. At Large, 1992
Robert L. Karwacki At Large, 1996
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
Leslie D. Gradet, Chief Deputy Clerk

Courts of Appeal Building
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 974-3646

The Court of Special Appeals, Maryland's inter-
mediate appellate court, was created in 1966 to al-
leviate the Court of Appeals' caseload, which had
caused a substantial backlog (Const., Art. IV, sec.
14A).

The Court of Special Appeals, except as other-
wise provided by law, has exclusive initial appel-
late jurisdiction over any reviewable judgment, de-
cree, order, or other action of a circuit court and