# Courts and Judicial Proceedings (GCJ)

## Title 1. Court Structure and Organization

### Subtitle 5. Trial Courts of General Jurisdiction

#### Section 1-501

The circuit courts are the highest common-law and equity courts of record exercising original jurisdiction within the State. Each has full common-law and equity powers and jurisdiction in all civil and criminal cases within its county, and all the additional powers and jurisdiction conferred by the Constitution and by law, except where by law jurisdiction has been limited or conferred exclusively upon another tribunal.

#### Section 1-502

Notwithstanding Sec. 4-301(b)(1) or Sec. 4-302 of this article, a circuit court has exclusive, original jurisdiction over a misdemeanor under Title 8, Subtitle 5 of this article.

#### Section 1-503

(a) In each county in the first seven judicial circuits there shall be the number of resident judges of the circuit court set forth below, including the judge or judges provided for by the Constitution:

  (1) Allegany    2

  (2) Anne Arundel    13

  (3) Baltimore County    21

  (4) Calvert    3

  (5) Caroline    1

  (6) Carroll    4

  (7) Cecil    4

  (8) Charles    5

  (9) Dorchester    1

  (10) Frederick    6

  (11) Garrett    1

  (12) Harford    6

  (13) Howard    5

  (14) Kent    1

  (15) Montgomery    24

  (16) Prince George's     25

  (17) Queen Anne's    1

  (18) St. Mary's    3

  (19) Somerset    1

  (20) Talbot    1

  (21) Washington     6

  (22) Wicomico    4

  (23) Worcester    3

(b) In Baltimore City there shall be 35 resident judges of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.

#### Section 1-504

(a) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland shall certify to the Governor for inclusion without revision in each State budget an appropriation not to exceed $500,000 to pay rent directly to counties for space occupied in county facilities by clerks of the circuit courts, as provided in this section.

(b) To the extent provided in the State budget the rent shall be calculated per net usable square foot, with no additional reimbursement of maintenance and utility cost.

(c) Unless the Administrative Office of the Courts and a county agree otherwise, the county may not decrease the net usable square footage allocated to the clerk of the circuit court for the county below the net usable square footage allotted for fiscal year 2002.

#### Section 1-505

(a) This section applies to a circuit courthouse that is constructed or undergoes a major renovation project on or after October 1, 2025.

(b) A circuit courthouse shall maintain on its premises a private lactation room that may be used by employees of the court and members of the public to nurse and express breast milk.

(c) The lactation room required under this section shall include:

  (1) A chair with a table and electrical outlet nearby to accommodate placement of a breast pump device;

  (2) A door that may be locked from the inside;

  (3) A sink; and

  (4) A refrigerator.

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Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)