Maryland

       The Maryland Circuit Court is the court of general unlimited jurisdiction in the state.  It handles all civil and criminal matters, as well as juvenile cases except in Montgomery County.  The Maryland District Court has exclusive civil jurisdiction in cases involving landlord-tenant disputes, forcible entry and detainer, replevin actions, and civil cases up to $5,000.  It has concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in civil cases over $5,000 and less than $25,000.  In......Click Here For More

       The Maryland Circuit Court is the court of general unlimited jurisdiction in the state.  It handles all civil and criminal matters, as well as juvenile cases except in Montgomery County.  The Maryland District Court has exclusive civil jurisdiction in cases involving landlord-tenant disputes, forcible entry and detainer, replevin actions, and civil cases up to $5,000.  It has concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in civil cases over $5,000 and less than $25,000.  In criminal matters, it has exclusive jurisdiction in cases where the sentence will not be more than three years confinement and/or a $2,500 fine.  It has concurrent jurisdiction in other misdemeanor and in some felony cases.  It can hold preliminary hearings in all felony cases.  But it holds no jury trials, and cases are transferred to the Circuit Court upon such request.  Most Maryland counties have and Orphans' Court, with exclusive jurisdiction over probate, guardianships, orphans, and the administration of estates.  The Maryland Tax Court is an agency of the Executive Branch and not a Constitutional Court of record.  It has statewide jurisdiction and handles appeals in all tax cases.  It can hear, try, and determine or remand any matter brought before it.  It can assess, classify, modify, or change any valuation, classification, tax or final order.

       Circuit Court Judges are appointed by the Governor and then at the next general election they run for a 15-year term.  District Court Judges are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate for a ten-year term.  Orphans Court Judges are elected from each county for four-year terms.  Maryland Tax Court Judges are appointed by the Governor for six-year terms.