WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                         Ch. 499

CHAPTER 499
(House Bill 130)

AN ACT concerning

Crimes - Forfeiture Proceedings - Jurisdiction of District Court

FOR the purpose of altering the exclusive original jurisdiction of the District Court of the
State by expanding the authority of the Court to hear cases involving the forfeiture
or return of money or property valued certain moneys up to a certain amount;
making a technical correction; and generally relating to the exclusive original
jurisdiction of the District Court in proceedings involving the forfeiture or return of
certain moneys or property.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Section 4-401

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1989 Replacement Volume and 1992 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

4-401.

Except as provided in § 4-402 of this subtitle, and subject to the venue provisions of
Title 6 of this article, the District Court has exclusive original civil jurisdiction in:

(1)     An action in contract or tort, if the debt or damages claimed do not
exceed $20,000, exclusive of attorney's fees if attorney's fees are recoverable by law or
contract;

(2)     An action of replevin, regardless of the value of the thing in controversy;

(3)     A matter of attachment before judgment, if the sum claimed does not
exceed $20,000, exclusive of attorney's fees if attorney's fees are recoverable by law or
contract;

(4)     An action involving landlord and tenant, distraint, or forcible entry and
detainer, regardless of the amount involved;

(5)     A grantee suit brought under § 14-109 of the Real Property Article;

(6)     A petition for injunction relating to the use, disposition, encumbrances,
or preservation of property that is:

(i) Claimed in a replevin action, until seizure under the writ; or

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