# Courts and Judicial Proceedings (GCJ)

## Title 4. District Court -- Jurisdiction

### Subtitle 3. Criminal Jurisdiction

#### Section 4-301

(a) Except as provided in Sec.Sec. 3-803 and 3-8A-03 of this article and 4-302 of this subtitle, the District Court has exclusive original jurisdiction in a criminal case in which a person at least 16 years old or a corporation is charged with violation of the vehicle laws, or the State Boat Act, or regulations adopted pursuant to the vehicle laws or State Boat Act.

(b) Except as provided in Sec. 4-302 of this subtitle, the District Court also has exclusive original jurisdiction in a criminal case in which a person at least 18 years old or a corporation is charged with:

  (1) Commission of a common-law or statutory misdemeanor regardless of the amount of money or value of the property involved;

  (2) Violation of Sec. 7-104, Sec. 7-105, Sec. 7-107, or Sec. 7-108 of the Criminal Law Article, whether a felony or a misdemeanor;

  (3) Violation of a county, municipal, or other ordinance, if the violation is not a felony;

  (4) Criminal violation of a State, county, or municipal rule or regulation, if the violation is not a felony;

  (5) Doing or omitting to do any act made punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or other penalty as provided by the particular law, ordinance, rule, or regulation defining the violation if the violation is not a felony;

  (6) Violation of Sec. 8-103 of the Criminal Law Article, whether a felony or a misdemeanor;

  (7) Violation of Sec. 8-203, Sec. 8-204, Sec. 8-205, Sec. 8-206, Sec. 8-207, Sec. 8-208, or Sec. 8-209 of the Criminal Law Article, whether a felony or misdemeanor;

  (8) Forgery or violation of Title 8, Subtitle 6 of the Criminal Law Article, whether a felony or misdemeanor;

  (9) Violation of Title 27, Subtitle 4 of the Insurance Article, whether a felony or a misdemeanor;

  (10) Violation of Sec. 9-1106 of the Labor and Employment Article;

  (11) Violation of Sec. 8-301 of the Criminal Law Article, whether a felony or misdemeanor;

  (12) Violation of Sec. 2-209 of the Criminal Law Article;

  (13) Violation of Title 2, Subtitle 5 of the Criminal Law Article;

  (14) Violation of Title 11, Subtitle 5 of the Financial Institutions Article;

  (15) Violation of Sec. 10-604, Sec. 10-605, Sec. 10-606, Sec. 10-607, Sec. 10-607.1, or Sec. 10-608 of the Criminal Law Article, whether a felony or misdemeanor;

  (16) Violation of Title 7, Subtitle 3, Part III of the Criminal Law Article, whether a felony or misdemeanor;

  (17) Violation of Sec. 20-102 of the Transportation Article, whether a felony or misdemeanor;

  (18) Violation of Sec. 8-801 of the Criminal Law Article;

  (19) Violation of Sec. 8-604 of the Criminal Law Article;

  (20) Violation of Title 8, Subtitle 2, Part II of the Criminal Law Article;

  (21) Violation of Sec. 16-801, Sec. 16-802, Sec. 16-803, or Sec. 16-804 of the Election Law Article;

  (22) Violation of Sec. 3-203(c) of the Criminal Law Article;

  (23) Violation of Sec. 11-208 of the Criminal Law Article as a second or subsequent offense;

  (24) Violation of Sec. 11-721 of the Criminal Procedure Article as a second or subsequent offense; or

  (25) Violation of Sec. 3-1102(b) or Sec. 3-1103 of the Criminal Law Article.

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