Maryland Court of Appeals

The Maryland Court of Appeals is the supreme court of the U.S. state of Maryland. The court, which is composed of one chief judge and six associate judges, meets in the Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building in the state capital, Annapolis. The term of the Court begins the second Monday of September.

Jurists

Appointment and qualifications

The seven judges of the Court of Appeals are appointed by the Governor of Maryland with Senate consent. They serve ten-year terms.

Related Topics:
Governor of Maryland - Senate

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The Judges of the court are required to be citizens of and qualified voters in Maryland. Prior to their appointment, they must have resided in Maryland for at least five years, and for at least six months in the appellate judicial circuit from which they are appointed. They must be at least thirty years of age at the time of appointment, and must have been admitted to practice Law in Maryland. Appointees should be "most distinguished for integrity, wisdom and sound legal knowledge."

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After initial appointment by the Governor and confirmation by the Senate, members of the court, at the first general election occurring at least one year after their appointment, run for continuance in office on their records without opposition. If the voters reject the retention in office of a judge, or the vote is tied, the office becomes vacant. Otherwise, the incumbent judge is retained in office for a ten-year term. This requirement of voter approval is similar to provisions in the Missouri Plan, a non-partisan method for selecting judges which is used by 11 states.

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There is one justice from each of the state's seven Appellate Judicial Circuits and each judge is required to be a resident of his or her respective circuit. The circuits are currently as follows:

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• 1st Appellate Judicial Circuit: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico & Worcester counties
• 2nd Appellate Judicial Circuit: Baltimore County & Harford County
• 3rd Appellate Judicial Circuit: Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard & Washington counties
• 4th Appellate Judicial Circuit: Prince George's County
• 5th Appellate Judicial Circuit: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles & St. Mary's counties
• 6th Appellate Judicial Circuit: Baltimore City
• 7th Appellate Judicial Circuit: Montgomery County

Current judges

Unlike most other states, the jurists on the Maryland Court of Appeals are called judges, not justices. Also unlike most other American courts, the judges on the Court of Appeals wear red (not black) robes, and neck bands, reminiscent of British court dress. In order of seniority, the current judges on the court are:

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• Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, 6th Appellate Circuit
• Judge Irma S. Raker, 7th Appellate Circuit
• Judge Alan M. Wilner, 2nd Appellate Circuit
• Judge Dale R. Cathell, 1st Appellate Circuit
• Judge Glenn T. Harrell, Jr., 4th Appellate Circuit
• Judge Lynne A. Battaglia, 3rd Appellate Circuit
• Judge Clayton Greene, Jr., 5th Appellate Circuit