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DISTRICT COURT COMMISSIONERS
Emory B. Swink, Supervising Commissioner
...................... 974-2029
DISTRICT 8
(Baltimore County: 12 Judges)
John H. Garmer, District Administrative Judge
............................ 321-3355
ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK
Joseph T. O'Melia .......... 321-3361
DISTRICT COURT COMMISSIONERS
Salvatore N. Butta, Supervising
Commissioner ............ 321-3370
DISTRICT 9
(Harford County: 4 Judges)
John S. Landbeck, Jr., DistrictAdministrative
Judge ....................... 836-4510
ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK
Joan M. Ludlow ........... 836-4525
DISTRICT COURT COMMISSIONERS
Sara E. Walker, Supervising Commissioner
...................... 879-4511
DISTRICT 10
(Carroll & Howard Counties: 6 Judges)
James N. Vaughan, District Administrative Judge
............................ 876-1033
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Judiciary/599
ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK
Gloria B. Farver ........... .876-1033
DISTRICT COURT COMMISSIONERS
Heather B. Bader, Supervising
Commissioner ............ .461-0231
DISTRICT 11
(Frederick & Washington Counties: 4 Judges)
Herbert L. Rollins, District Administrative Judge
........................... .694-2005
ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK
Dixie L. Scholtes ........... .694-2006
DISTRICT COURT COMMISSIONERS
Gerry L. Ponton, Supervising Commissioner
...................... .694-2009
DISTRICT 12
(Allegany & Garrett Counties: 3 Judges)
Paul J. Stakem, District Administrative Judge
........................... .777-2105
ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK
Kathleen M. Stafford ........ .777-2105
DISTRICT COURT COMMISSIONERS
Alan A. Dougherty, Supervising
Commissioner ............ .777-2112
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The District Court of Maryland was created by constitutional amendment ratified in 1970 (Chapter
789, Acts of 1969; Const., Art. iy sees. 41A through 41-1). The Court began operating in July 1971. It
replaced a miscellaneous system of trial magistrates, and people's and municipal courts. It is a court of
record and has statewide jurisdiction.
The District Court has jurisdiction in both criminal (including motor vehicle) and civil areas. It has
little equity jurisdiction and has jurisdiction over juvenile cases only in Montgomery County. The exclusive
jurisdiction of the District Court generally includes all landlord/tenant cases; replevin actions; motor
vehicle violations; criminal cases if the penalty is less than three years imprisonment or does not exceed a
fine of $2,500, or both; and civil cases involving amounts not exceeding $2,500. It has concurrent
jurisdiction with the circuit courts in civil cases over $2,500 (but not exceeding $10,000) and concurrent
jurisdiction in misdemeanors and certain enumerated felonies. Since there are no juries provided in the
District Court, a persiun entitled tu and electing a jury trial must prm-ecd lu llie circuit Luurt (Cudc 1957,
Art. 27, sees. 586, 594D, 616 1/2, 643A; Code Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, sees. 1-601
through 1-608, 2-601 through 2-607, 4-101 through 4-405, 6-403. 7-301, 7-302, 9-201, 11-402,
11-701 through 11-703,12-401 through 12-404; Code Family Law Article, sees. 4-501 through 4-510).
The District Court is divided into twelve geographical districts, each containing one or more political
subdivisions, with at least one judge in each subdivision. Presently, there are 97 judges on the Court,
including the Chief Judge.
The District Court of Maryland is administered centrally and is funded fully by the State. The Chief
Judge is the administrative head of the Court and appoints administrative judges for each of the twelve
districts, subject to the approval of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. A chief clerk of the Court is
appointed by the Chief Judge as are administrative clerks for each district, and district commissioners who
issue arrest warrants and set bail or collateral.
District Court judges are appointed by the Governor to ten-year terms, subject to Senate confirmation.
They do not stand for election. The Chief Judge is appointed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.
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