Jury Service| A Message from the Judiciary

See news stories on what the courts have done to protect your health and safety 

All criminal and civil jury trials in the Circuit Courts throughout the State of Maryland scheduled to begin between November 16, 2020, through April 23, 2021, unless a jury has already been empaneled, are suspended and will be rescheduled beginning April 26, 2021, pending further order of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. For further information, view the Fifth Amended Administrative Order Re-Imposing the Statewide Suspension of Jury Trials and Maintaining Grand Juries.

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.

If you have been summoned to report for jury duty on November 16 or later, please contact the jury office for the Circuit Court in your local jurisdiction.

The Offices of the Clerks of the Circuit Courts and the clerks’ offices of the District Court are open to the public. Court and clerk activities shall proceed with continued restrictions to limit the concentration of individuals and allow social distancing, consistent with guidance of the CDC or MDH or both.

For up to date information relating to court business, operating status, and public and employee safety, visit the Maryland Judiciary Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates page.

Trial by jury is a foundation of our system of justice and is one of the reasons that our justice system is the finest in the world. While trial by jury is a right guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Maryland Declaration of Rights, serving on a jury is both a responsibility of being a citizen and an opportunity to serve the community. No special training, skills or legal knowledge are necessary to be a juror. All that is required is that you be willing to keep an open mind, to pay attention, and to make a decision based on the law and evidence that is presented. On behalf of the Maryland Judiciary, thank you for your jury service. 

 

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

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