Limited access to Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building due to new construction
New construction is expected to begin on Friday, December 15, 2017, in front of the main entrance to the Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building.
Due to the construction, access to the Court of Appeals, the Court of Special Appeals, and the State Law Library will be limited to the side entrance of the building. All persons doing business with the courts or the library should use the walking tunnel in the construction area to get to the side entrance. This will be the only point of entry to the building.
Signage will be placed in the construction zone to direct people where to enter the building.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
The Court of Appeals is the highest court in the State (commonly called the Supreme Court in other states and at the federal level). It hears cases almost exclusively by way of certiorari, a process which gives the court discretion to decide which cases to hear. However, the Court of Appeals is mandated by law to hear cases involving the death penalty, legislative redistricting, removal of certain officers, and certifications of questions of law.
The Chief Judge, Mary Ellen Barbera, sits on the Court along with six other judges. All seven judges hear oral arguments on each case unless a judge removes him/herself from a case; in this event, a judge from another court, or a retired appellate judge, may be specially assigned to sit in the place of the recused judge.