an orphans' court and generally hears cases ap-
pealed from the circuit courts (Code Courts and
Judicial Proceedings Article, sec. 12-308). Judges
of the Court are empowered to sit in panels of
three. A hearing or rehearing of a case before the
whole Court may be ordered in any case by a ma-
jority of the Court's incumbent judges. The Court
also considers applications for leave to appeal in
such areas as post conviction, habeas corpus mat-
ters involving denial of excessive bail, and inmate
grievances (Code Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Article, sees. 1-401 through l^t03).

The Court of Special Appeals sits in Annapolis.
Originally composed of five members, the Court
now consists of thirteen judges. One member of
the Court is elected from each of the first five Ap-
pellate Judicial Circuits while two members are
elected from the Sixth Appellate Judicial Circuit
(Baltimore City). The remaining six judges are
elected from the State at large. Members of the
Court of Special Appeals are initially appointed
by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
Thereafter, they run on their records without for-
mal opposition for a ten-year term of office. The
Chief Judge of the Court of Special Appeals is
designated by the Governor.

The clerk of the Court of Special Appeals is ap-
pointed by the Court. The clerk maintains the
docket, receives the records and briefs of all ap-
peals filed with the Court, and maintains official
custody of the decisions of the Court.

CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND

1ST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

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

Lloyd L. Simpkins, Chief Judge and Circuit
Administrative Judge Somerset, 1991
Dale R. Cathell Worcester, 1997
Theodore R. Eschenburg, Sr. Worcester, 1999
Donald F. Johnson Dorchester, 2001
D. William Simpson Wicomico, 1988
Alfred T. Truitt, Jr. Wicomico, 1993

2ND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

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

J. Owen Wise, Chief Judge and Circuit
Administrative Judge Caroline 1999
Clayton C. Carter Queen Anne's, 1995

Donaldson C. Cole, Jr. Cecil, 1995
John C. North II Talbot, 1999
Edward D. E. Rollins, Jr. Cecil, 1999
one vacancy

3RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Baltimore and Harford counties—17 Judges

Frank E. Cicone, Chief Judge and Circuit
Administrative Judge Baltimore, 1989
Maurice W. Baldwin, Jr. Harford, 1988
William R. Buchanan, Sr. Baltimore, 1993
Brodnax Cameron, Jr. Harford, 1993
William 0. Can- Harford, 2001
Edward A. DeWaters, Jr. Baltimore, 1991
John F. Fader II Baltimore, 1997
A. Owen Hennegan Baltimore, 1999
J. William Hinkel Baltimore, 1997
Leonard S. Jacobson Baltimore, 1999
Dana M. Levitz Baltimore, 2001
Joseph F. Murphy, Jr. Baltimore, 2001
William M. Nickerson Baltimore, 2001
James S. Sfekas Baltimore, 1988
James T. Smith, Jr. Baltimore, 2001
John G. Tumbull II Baltimore, 1988
Cypert 0. Whitflll Harford, 1999

4TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties—6
Judges

Frederick A. Thayer III, Chief Judge
Garrett, 1993
Frederick C. Wright III, Circuit Administrative
Judge Washington, 1995
John P. Corderman Washington, 1993
Gary G. Leasure Allegany, 1999
Daniel W. Moylan Washington, 1997
J. Frederick Sharer Allegany, 1997

5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Howard counties—15
Judges

Morris Turk, Chief Judge Anne Arundel, 1991
Raymond G. Thieme, Jr., Circuit Administrative
Judge Anne Arundel, 1993
Luke K. Bums, Jr. Carroll, 1995
James C. Cawood, Jr. Anne Arundel, 1999
Guy J. Cicone Howard, 1988
Robert F. Fischer Howard, 1993
Donald J. Gilmore Carroll, 1993
H. Chester Goudy, Jr. Anne Arundel, 1993
Robert S. Heise Anne Arundel, 1993