Archives of Maryland Historical List U.S. Courts of Appeals for Maryland, 1789-

The first federal appeals courts were established by the Judiciary Act of 1789. There were three U.S. Circuit Courts that primarily heard cases appealed from the U.S. District Courts. Each circuit was assigned initially to two Supreme Court justices, lowered to one in 1793, who traveled between the different districts on that circuit when the Supreme Court was not in session, presiding over cases with the local U.S. District Court judge, a practice known as "circuit riding." Maryland was part of the Middle Circuit, along with New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia.

This system was briefly changed in 1801, when Congress reorganized the country into six circuits, each with three judges assigned to it. Maryland was in the Fourth Circuit, along with Virginia. This system was abolished in 1802, and the country reverted to the previous system.

In response to the increasing number of cases being handled by the courts, an additional judge was added in 1870 to each circuit to assist that circuit's Supreme Court Justice, a system which lasted until 1891.

The current system of U.S. Courts of Appeals was created in 1891, when Congress established nine circuits with three judges each. Maryland is included in the Fourth Circuit, along with Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Additional judges have been added, and since 1990 the Fourth Circuit has fifteen judgeships.

The most senior judge who is under 65 years of age is designated Chief Judge. The Chief Judge may serve no longer than seven years.

Chief Judges of the U.S Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Sources:

Federal Judicial History, Federal Judicial Center.

Court Information, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Maryland Manual Online.

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