Judiciary/517

CIRCUIT COURTS

The Circuit Courts are the highest common law and equity courts of record exercising original
jurisdiction within Maryland. Each has full common law and equity powers and jurisdiction in all civil and
criminal cases within its county, and all the additional powers and jurisdiction conferred by the Constitution
and by law, except where jurisdiction has been limited or conferred exclusively upon another tribunal by
law (Code Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, sec. 1-501).

The Circuit Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction. Its jurisdiction is very broad but generally
covers major civil cases and more serious criminal matters. Circuit Courts also may decide appeals from
the District Court and certain administrative agencies. These courts are grouped into eight geographical
circuits: the first seven circuits each contain two or more counties; the eighth consists of Baltimore City.

Presently, there are 116 Circuit Court judges, with at least one judge for each county. Unlike other
Maryland courts, the Circuit Court has no chief judge. Instead, eight circuit administrative judges perform
administrative duties in each of their respective circuits. Appointed by the chief judge of the Court of
Appeals, circuit administrative judges are aided by county administrative judges. Within each circuit, the
judge who has served longest on the court is designated chief judge of the circuit.

Each Circuit Court judge is appointed by the Governor and then must stand for election. The judge's
name is placed on the ballot in the first general election that occurs at least one year following the vacancy
the judge was appointed to fill. The judge may be formally opposed by one or more qualified members of
the bar, with the successful candidate being elected to a fifteen-year term (Const., Art. TV, secs. 19-26).

1ST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester Counties— 7 Judges Lloyd L. Simpkins, Chief Judge & 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, 2003 Alfred T Truitt, Jr........................Wicomico, 1993 Richard Dexter Warren................Wicomico, 1990 Courthouse Princess Anne, MD 21853 651-1555 2ND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's & Talbot Counties— 6 Judges Donaldson C. Cole, Jr., Chief Judge ... Cecil, 1995 J. Owen Wise, Circuit Administrative Judge............................................ Caroline, 1999 ElroyG. Boyer....................................Kent, 2003 William S. Home...............................Talbot, 1990 Edward D. E. Rollins, Jr......................Cecil, 1999 John W Sause, Jr...................Queen Anne's, 1990 Courthouse P. O. Box 356 Denton, MD 21629 479-2303

3RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Baltimore & Harford Counties—18 Judges Frank E. Cicone, Chief Judge & Circuit Administrative Judge.................Baltimore, 1989 Maurice W Baldwin, Jr...................Harford, 2003 Alfred L. Brennan, Sr...................Baltimore, 1990 William R. Buchanan, Sr..............Baltimore, 1993 William Q Cart..............................Harford, 2001 Edward A. DeWaters, Jr...............Baltimore, 1991 John F. Fader II............................Baltimore, 1997 A. Owen Hennegan.....................Baltimore, 1999 J. William Hinkel..........................Baltimore, 1997 Barbara Kerr Howe......................Baltimore, 1990 Leonard S. Jacobson....................Baltimore, 1999 DanaM. Levitz............................Baltimore, 2001 Joseph E Murphy, Jr.....................Baltimore, 2001 William M. Nickerson...................Baltimore, 2001 James T. Smith, Jr.........................Baltimore, 2001 John G. Turnbull II......................Baltimore, 2003 Stephen M. Waldron......................Harford, 1990 CypertO. Whitfill...........................Harford, 1999 County Courts Building 401 Bosley Ave. Towson, MD 21204 494-2500 4TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Allegany, Garrett & W&shington Counties— 6 Judges Frederick A. Thayerlll, Chief Judge... Garrett, 1993 Frederick C. Wright III, Circuit Administrative Judge.............Washington, 1995