The District Court of Maryland is a state lower trial court (court of original jurisdiction) in the state of Maryland. [1] It enjoys limited jurisdiction over "minor issues," including over all landlord-tenant law cases, replevin actions (the recovery or return of wrongfully taken goods), motor vehicle violations, misdemeanors such as disturbing the peace, and certain felonies. [1] [2] The District Court does not conduct jury trials. [2]
It is a single state court with multiple locations, [1] even though it is typically referred to by the county in which it sits, such as the "Allegany County District Court." [1] The court sits in at least one location in each county, with multiple places of sitting in Baltimore City and some large suburban counties. [3] While counties must typically pay many of the expenses for the local Maryland Circuit Court, the state always pays for the operations of the District Court. [1] There is at least one district judge in each county and in the city of Baltimore. [1]
The court exercises exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases with claims of less than $5,000. [2] It exercises jurisdiction concurrent with the Maryland Circuit Court in civil cases with an amount in controversy between $5,001 and $30,000. [2]
The District Court was created by a state constitutional amendment and came into existence in July 1971 to replace a "hodgepodge" system of local justices of the peace, magistrates, and People's Courts. [1] [2]
Most appeals from District Court are heard by the Circuit Court, although some are heard by the Appellate Court of Maryland and the Supreme Court of Maryland. [1]
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