See news stories on what the courts have done to protect your health and safety
COVID-19 Update as of January 14, 2022
Due to the recent surge in Maryland of COVID-19 cases as a result of the Omicron variant, the Judicial branch will revert to Phase III emergency operations from December 29, 2021, through March 6, 2022. In Phase III, clerks’ offices in the District Court of Maryland and all circuit courts in Maryland will remain open to the public and will hear specific case types remotely or in-person. Court activities shall proceed with continued restrictions including the wearing of face masks and social distancing. Appellate courts will remain fully operational unless otherwise determined by the chief judge.
Jury trials that have already commenced will proceed to conclusion. All jury trials scheduled between December 29, 2021 and March 6, 2022 will be rescheduled. For criminal cases that were pending or initiated on December 29, 2021 through March 6, 2022, the deadline to conduct preliminary hearings in the District Court is extended to March 7, 2022. You must still complete and submit your juror qualification form.
Grand juries may continue at the discretion of the administrative judge or his or her designee. New grand juries may be empaneled as necessary, and grand juries that are currently convened may be extended by the administrative judge.
All persons over the age of two must wear a face covering, regardless of vaccination status, in all state courthouses and judicial facilities.
For up to date information relating to court business, operating status, and public and employee safety, visit the Maryland Judiciary Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates and COVID-19 Administrative Orders pages.
Watch the Jury Service Orientation Video
See these news stories on what the courts have done to protect your health and safety as jury trials resume:
The Southern Maryland Chronicle
Calvert County Courthouse Begins Phase V Operations; Expansion of statewide Judiciary operations effective April 26, 2021
By: Calvert County Public Information Office, April 29, 2021
The Capital Gazette
'We’re going to be busy’: Anne Arundel courts restarts criminal, civil jury trials
By: Lilly Price, April 28, 2021
The Daily Record
Maryland courts return to full operations, face backlog
By: Associated Press, April 27, 2021
The Washington Post
As virus cases fall, Maryland tries to dig out of backlogged jury trials
By: Dan Morse, April 27, 2021
The Baltimore Sun
Facing a mountain of court cases, judges and juries across Maryland are returning to full operations
By: Tim Prudente, April 27, 2021
The Southern Maryland Chronicle
Jury trials resume in criminal and civil cases statewide
By: Maryland Judiciary, April 27, 2021
Baltimore Witness
Baltimore Circuit Court Resumes Trials with COVID Precautions
By: Andrew Michaels, April 26, 2021
CBS Baltimore
COVID Latest: Jury Trials For Criminal, Civil Cases In Maryland Resume April 26
By: Staff Writer, April 24, 2021
WBAL-Radio
Jury trials will resume in criminal, civil cases in Maryland
April 24, 2021
WTOP News
Maryland circuit courts to resume jury trials in criminal, civil cases
By: Abigail Constantino, April 23, 2021
FOX 45 News
Jury trials to resume in Maryland
By: Sinead Hawkins, April 23, 2021
47 ABC
Jury trials to resume in Maryland on April 26th
By: Hannah Cechini, April 20, 2021
Frederick News-Post
Criminal jury trials will soon begin. Six high-profile Frederick County cases on docket
By: Mary Grace Keller, March 18, 2021
Southern Maryland News
Calvert jurors to be selected at fairgrounds as trials resume
By: Marty Madden, March 10, 2021