# Courts and Judicial Proceedings (GCJ) ## Title 8. Juries and Jurors ### Subtitle 2. Jury Plan #### Section 8-201 Each circuit court shall have a written plan for jury selection and service in accordance with the requirements of this title. #### Section 8-202 The Supreme Court of Maryland may adopt rules to govern the provisions and implementation of jury plans. #### Section 8-203 (a) (1) A circuit court may propose to the Supreme Court of Maryland a change to the circuit court's jury plan at any time, by filing the proposal with the Supreme Court of Maryland. (2) Within 60 days after a circuit court files a proposal under this subsection, the Supreme Court of Maryland shall approve or disapprove the proposal. (3) A proposal approved under this subsection is effective: (i) 61 days after a circuit court files the proposal; or (ii) Any earlier date that the Supreme Court of Maryland sets. (b) (1) If the Supreme Court of Maryland orders a circuit court to change its jury plan, the circuit court shall do so. (2) A change that the Supreme Court of Maryland orders is effective: (i) On the day the Court sets; but (ii) Not later than 90 days after the date of approval of the circuit court's change. #### Section 8-204 (a) Each jury plan shall designate a jury judge. (b) The jury judge for a circuit court shall be: (1) The county administrative judge of the circuit court; or (2) Another of the circuit court judges whom the county administrative judge designates. #### Section 8-205 (a) Each jury plan shall designate a jury commissioner. (b) The jury commissioner for a circuit court shall be: (1) The clerk of the circuit court; or (2) Another individual designated in the manner set forth in the jury plan. (c) A jury plan may designate, or allow a jury judge to designate, an individual to serve as acting jury commissioner if the jury commissioner is temporarily unavailable or unable to perform duties. (d) The jury commissioner for a circuit court shall manage jury selection and service, under the control and supervision of the jury judge for the circuit court. (e) A jury commissioner, other than a clerk, is entitled to the compensation set by law. #### Section 8-206 (a) Each jury plan shall provide for a source pool solely from which the names of prospective jurors are to be selected. (b) (1) The source pool under the jury plan for a county shall include the names of all of the adults on: (i) A statewide voter registration list no older than that used in the most recent general election as to residents of the county; (ii) A list of holders of driver's licenses issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration to residents of the county; and (iii) A list of holders of identification cards issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration to residents of the county. (2) The source pool under the jury plan for a county may include any other list of residents of the county that the jury plan authorizes. (c) (1) Each jury plan shall detail procedures by which a jury commissioner is to have names selected from the most recent source pool. (2) Procedures under this subsection shall be designed to ensure each jury is selected in accordance with the requirements of this title. #### Section 8-207 (a) Each jury plan shall set intervals for creation of a prospective juror pool and a qualified juror pool. (b) (1) Each jury plan shall set a minimum number of names to be selected from the source pool as prospective jurors. (2) The minimum number shall be: (i) At least 150; and (ii) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, at least 0.5% of the total number of names in the source pool. (3) If the minimum percentage under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection would be cumbersome and unnecessary, a jury plan may set a smaller number. (4) A jury judge for a county may order its jury commissioner to have additional names selected from the county's source pool as the judge considers necessary. #### Section 8-208 Each jury plan shall set the method by which summonses for jury service are to be served. #### Section 8-209 Each jury plan shall set the method by which the names of qualified jurors are to be allocated between grand and trial juries. #### Section 8-210 Each jury plan shall detail changes of information as to prospective, qualified, and sworn jurors about which a jury commissioner is to inform a jury judge. #### Section 8-211 Each jury plan shall set the method by which a foreperson is to be chosen for a grand jury from among its members. #### Section 8-212 The jury plan for a county may state any question, in addition to those required under Sec. 8-302(a) of this title, to be included on the county's juror qualification form, consistent with the interest of the sound administration of justice and not inconsistent with this title and other law. #### Section 8-213 The jury plan of a circuit court may provide for an agreement between the circuit court and the Administrative Office of the Courts or a person, for the Administrative Office or person to: (1) Provide the circuit court with names selected in the number that the jury plan sets; (2) Have juror questionnaire forms sent as the jury plan requires; (3) Have summonses sent as the jury plan requires; or (4) Provide any other service as to jury selection and service. #### Section 8-214 A jury plan may set a single procedure for qualification and summonsing for jury service. #### Section 8-215 The jury plan for a county may enable its jury commissioner, subject to criteria set forth in the jury plan and under the overall supervision of the county's jury judge, to: (1) Disqualify prospective or qualified jurors for specific reasons stated in this title; (2) Excuse prospective or qualified jurors for specific reasons stated in this title; (3) Exempt prospective or qualified jurors for specific reasons stated in this title; or (4) Reschedule jury service by prospective or qualified jurors for specific reasons stated in this title. #### Section 8-216 A jury plan may provide that, notwithstanding the limit on frequency of trial jury service in Sec. 8-310(c)(2) of this title, an individual who serves on a jury for fewer than 5 days in a 3-year period may be summoned for jury service after 1 year. #### Section 8-217 A jury plan may create a program for donation of State per diems and county supplements by prospective, qualified, or sworn jurors. --- Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)