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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