Last Updated: Monday, January 4, 2021

The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to impact the daily operation of the Maryland Judiciary. Maryland’s courts are now in Phase III of the progressive reopening plan. Visit the local court page for the latest information on hours of operation BEFORE arriving to court.

PLEASE NOTE: On Monday, November 30, the Maryland Courts returned to Phase II of the Maryland Judiciary’s reopening plan. The plan guides courts across the state of Maryland as to how they should gradually return to full operations throughout the next several weeks and months.

During Phase II, Clerks’ offices in the District Court of Maryland and circuit courts throughout the state will remain open to the public for emergency purposes and by appointment for other matters. The Judiciary, since October 5, 2020, had resumed full operations under Phase V, including jury trials, with health protocols in place statewide. In Phase II, the District Court and circuit courts will hear specific case types remotely or in-person, but jury trials will not be held until the Judiciary is able to re-enter Phase V of its resumption of operations plan. Marylanders who are currently serving as jurors must contact the court. Additionally, courts across Maryland will continue using technology for remote proceedings, either by video or telephone, but it will vary by court location. During this phase, District Court criminal, traffic, civil, domestic violence, peace orders, Extreme Risk Protective Orders, and landlord-tenant cases. In the Circuit Courts, civil, criminal, family, Child in Need of Assistance (CINA), and juvenile matters will continue to be heard.

There are five phases in the plan and each phase will represent an increase in the level of activity within each courthouse and court office. Depending on the current state of COVID-19 throughout Maryland, it may be necessary for a court and/or jurisdiction to adjust phases.

The Judiciary is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and evaluating its ongoing response to this public health emergency. Some courts will continue using technology for remote proceedings, either by video or telephone, but please note that this will vary by court location. The general public, members of the media, and attorneys should reference the COVID-19 webpages for the latest information on individual court operations. Court closings related to coronavirus.

Additionally, the courts are requiring any individual, including employees, seeking access to a courthouse or court office location to:

• Answer a set of screening questions;
• Be subject to temperature checks;
• Wear a facial covering or mask; and
• Practice social distancing.

The Maryland courts started implementing the reopening plan on June 5. 

 

Additional Court Information

• Communication Regarding the Recently Enacted Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (December 30, 2020)
• Third Revised Communication Regarding Affidavit Judgments in the District Court (December 4, 2020)
• Communication Regarding Landlord Tenant Issues Return to Phase II (December 2, 2020)
• Return to Phase II: Message from Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera (December 1, 2020)
• Communication Regarding Landlord Tenant Issues Return to Phase III (November 13, 2020)
• Phase V: Message from Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera (September 29, 2020)
• Communication Regarding Landlord Tenant Actions Phase IV (September 4, 2020)
• Phase IV: Message from Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera (August 25, 2020)
• Conference of Circuit Judges Work Group on the Resumption of Jury Operations in Circuit Courts (August 3, 2020)
• Communication Regarding Landlord Tenant Actions Phase III (July 17, 2020)
• WBAL-TV 11 shows how Maryland’s courts are prepared to safely welcome the public back during Phase 3 of reopening plan (July 16, 2020)
• A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF JUDGE: Maryland courts prepare to enter Phase III (July 13, 2020)
• Communication Regarding Landlord Tenant Actions in District Court (June 11, 2020)
• New Video: A Reminder for Court Visitors During COVID-19 (June 3, 2020)
• Revised Communication Regarding Affidavit Judgments in the District Court (July 10, 2020)
• A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF JUDGE: Maryland courts prepare to reopen. (May 18, 2020)
• Revised policy on Interim Orders during the emergency (May 5, 2020)
  • Communication Regarding Domestic Violence Protective Orders, Peace Orders and Extreme Risk Protective Orders (May 6, 2020)
• Statement from the Maryland Judiciary Concerning Guardianships of Adults and Minors - Español | Français | Русский | 한국어 | 中文 (May 4, 2020)
• Communication Regarding Moratorium on Evictions under the Federal “Cares Act” (May 1, 2020)
• New Video: Court resources and tools for the public during COVID-19 (April 23, 2020)
• Statement from the Maryland Judiciary on Matters Concerning Children & Families - Español | Français | Русский | 한국어 | 中文 (March 27, 2020)
• Suspension During the COVID-19 Emergency of Foreclosures, Evictions, and Other Ejectments Involving Residences (effective March 25, 2020)
• COVID-19 Update: A message from Chief Judge Barbera to the legal community. (March 23, 2020)
• Information on District Court Screening Procedures  (effective March 23, 2020)

Additional Information and Resources

• Governor Hogan’s COVID-19 Site
• Maryland Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
  • Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  • 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224

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See these videos and news stories on what the courts have done to protect your health and safety as jury trials resume:

 

Baltimore Sun
Jury selection for Radee Prince, alleged Advanced Granite Solutions shooter, begins in Havre de Grace community center
By: Staff Writer, October 13, 2020

Cumberland Times-News
Maryland courts are operational
By: Staff Writer, October 8, 2020

Severna Park Voice
COVID-19 And The Maryland Courts, Part 5
By: David Diggs, October 7, 2020

The BayNet
Calvert County Courthouse Implements Phase V of Reopening
By: Calvert County, October 7, 2020

The Southern Maryland Chronicle
Calvert County Courthouse Implements Phase V of Reopening
By: Calvert County Public Information Office, October 6, 2020

The Washington Post
Jurors in a fire station, high school gym and the ‘Cow Palace.’ How Maryland is restarting jury trials in the pandemic
By: Dan Morse, October 6, 2020

Maryland Matters
As Courts Reopen, Public Defenders Fear for Themselves and Their Clients
By: Hannah Gaskill, October 6, 2020

Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Circuit Court judge tests positive for coronavirus as jury trials resume Monday
By: Tim Prudente, October 5, 2020

Bethesda Magazine
Montgomery County Circuit Court prepared for jury trials to resume; Courtrooms retrofitted with plexiglass; jurors will sit socially distanced
By: Dan Schere, October 5, 2020

Capital Gazette
‘Can it happen fairly?’ Jury trials resume Monday. Here’s how Anne Arundel County courts are preparing.
By: Lilly Price, October 5, 2020

The Baltimore Sun
Court’s in session: Anxious feelings, extensive preparations surround start of jury trials in Maryland amid pandemic
By: Tim Prudente, October 4, 2020

WTOP News
Jury trials set to resume in Maryland this week
October 4, 2020

WBFF-TV/FOX 45 Baltimore
Jury trials to resume for criminal and civil cases in Maryland
By: Tiffany Watson, September 29, 2020

WBOC News
Jury Trials to Resume in Criminal and Civil Cases Statewide in Md.
September 29, 2020

WTOP News
Jury trials to resume next week in Maryland, with COVID-19 precautions
By: Neil Augenstein, September 29, 2020

The Herald-Mail
Safety in the court: Jury trials to resume with pandemic precautions
By: Mike Lewis, September 28, 2020

MyEasternShoreMD.com
Court reaches Phase IV opening
By: Tom McCall, September 25, 2020

Maryland Matters
Maryland Courts Go to Full Operation Oct. 5
By: Angela Roberts, September 23, 2020

WBAL-TV
Courts ready for jury trials to begin with new coronavirus restrictions in place
September 22, 2020

The Baltimore Sun
Jury duty will look different when Maryland courts resume operations next month. Here’s what officials say to expect
By: Angela Roberts, September 22, 2020

The Aegis
Expect more people to be called for jury duty as Maryland courts resume jury trials in October, Harford judge says
By: James Whitlow, September 18, 2020

The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore County Circuit Court adding sneeze guards, bullet-resistant barriers
By: Wilborn P. Nobles, III, September 9, 2020