The Circuit Court

Current Status

COVID-19 Status Update

In accordance with Chief Judge Barbera’s Orders issued on May 24, 2021, effective June 1, 2021, the following policies will be implemented at the Circuit Court:

Masks and Social Distancing

• Anyone who is fully vaccinated is no longer required to wear a face mask or to maintain social distancing in the courthouse.
• Anyone over the age of two who is not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
• In courtrooms, social distancing will not be required for those who identify as being part of a social “pod” or “cohort.” (Example: Individuals who reside in the same household)

Courtroom Management

• We will return to pre-Covid courtroom capacity. Judges will have discretion to manage courtroom seating and capacity. Courtroom bench markers placed 6-feet apart will remain to encourage social distancing.
• Courtrooms that have been modified for jury trial use will continue to be used with all barriers remaining in place.
• Jury boxes, jury deliberation rooms and jury break rooms will continue to be used.
• All physical barriers will be kept in place.
• There will be no overflow rooms for jury trials.

Screening

Screening will continue at the entrances of the courthouse and American Legion based on Chief Judge Barbera’s Administrative Orders.

American Legion

Due to the number of people required for jury selection, masks will be required for everyone present for jury selection at the American Legion regardless of vaccine status. Social distancing will remain in effect at the American Legion regardless of vaccine status.

View Administrative Order 2021-2: Order Governing COVID-19 Protocols During Jury Selection at the American Legion (PDF).

Signage

• Signs limiting capacity in the elevators will be removed.
• Directional stairwell signs will be removed.
• New signs advising of mask requirements will be posted at the front entrance and on each floor.
• Deputies at the front entrance of the courthouse will announce the mask policy to all entrants.

Health Screening Upon Entry

All persons who enter the building are subject to health screening questions and thermal temperature checks. Entry will be denied if a person exhibits signs or symptoms of illness or has been exposed to COVID-19 within the past seven days.

Circuit Court Restart Plan

Details of the Circuit Court plan are contained in the Start-Up Plan Following COVID-19 Emergency Closure (PDF). This plan details the types of matters that will be heard in each phase and the projected dates for movement between phases. Policies governing courthouse access and health and safety measures during the court restart plan are set forth in Administrative Order 2020-132: Order Governing Courthouse Access and Restrictions (PDF).

• Find a list of the Clerk's Office Contacts During Court Restart (PDF).
• View the Bar Update on Criminal Processes During COVID-19 Start-Up (PDF).
• View the Response Protocol for Confirmed COVID-19 Diagnosis (PDF).

Revised Criminal Case Postponement Policy

The Circuit Court has adopted a new postponement policy to assist in rescheduling criminal matters. A criminal postponement form has also been adopted to simplify the process:

• Policy Concerning Postponement Requests in Criminal Cases (PDF)
• Criminal Case Postponement Request Form (PDF)

Drop Box for Filings

A drop box will be available at the entrance to the Circuit Court that is accessible from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to accept any paper filing that is not required to be made electronically through MDEC.

Additional Information

If you have a question as to whether your case has been reset, please check the status on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, or contact the Central Assignment Office at 410-887-3497, or Civil Assignment Office at 410-887-2660.

General Information

Baltimore County Courts Building
401 Bosley Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: 410-887-2139
Email: baltcocc@mdcourts.gov

The Circuit Court for Baltimore County is the trial court of general jurisdiction. This means it is the designated court to hear:

• Major Civil Cases (over $30,000 in controversy)
• All jury trials, criminal or civil
• Criminal Cases
  • Felonies
  • District Court Appeals and Jury Trial Requests
• Juvenile and Family Law Cases

The Circuit Court also serves as a forum for appeals from the District Court of Maryland and certain administrative agencies (known as Judicial Review of agency decisions).

The Maryland Constitution and Maryland State law are the sources of the Circuit Court’s authority, powers and jurisdiction.

The Circuit Court operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of Court Holidays.

Note: Baltimore Circuit Courts are a separate judicial jurisdiction from those of Baltimore City.

Handicapped and Foot Traffic Access

Due to a construction project the entrance to the County Courts Building has been altered.

• Foot traffic will be directed to the temporary steps next to the building's entrance on Chesapeake Avenue.
• Handicapped persons should enter by the ramp on the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the building.
• There is handicapped metered parking on both Pennsylvania and Baltimore Avenues.

Contact Court Offices

Contact information for Court offices is available online.

Daily Docket

The Daily Docket is updated between 4 and 4:30 p.m. each day for the next day's docket.

Case Transcript Request

Complete a transcript request form online for a CD or typed transcript of a court case.

Cell Phone and Tablet Policy

Cell phones, tablets and similar electronic devices are permitted in the Courthouse, provided that the device clears security. Possession and use of cell phones and other electronic devices may be limited or prohibited in designated areas of the Court facility.

Security Protocol

The Circuit Court for Baltimore County requires all employees, visitors, litigants, witnesses and attorneys to pass through a security checkpoint at the main entrance. Uniformed police officers on official duty, have a separate protocol.