Message from the Circuit Court

By virtue of Judge Barbera’s February 16 orders, the Circuit Court will move into Phase IV of the state judiciary reopening plan on March 15, 2021. Interested parties are invited to view the orders on the judiciary website at www.courts.state.md.us.

At that time, the court will return to full staffing, and the clerk’s office will be open for appointments to view files, obtain licenses, and perform other services. Additionally, the Family Law Self-Help Center will be setting a maximum of 12 in-person appointments per day. Custody evaluations will continue remotely, although child interviews will be scheduled in-person, at an outside location where possible. All intakes, facilitation, co-parenting and mediation in family cases will remain virtual.

The Law Library will remain closed to the public, except for use of conference rooms by Senior Judges. Kids Spot will be open to employees’ children, with virtual learning through June 16, 2021.

Only the Maryland Avenue entrance will be open to the public, with employee access only at the Monroe Street and Terrace entrances. The Maryland Avenue entrance will be open Monday through Friday at 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., except on Thursdays until 6:30 p.m. All safety precautions, including masking, screening questions, temperature checks and social distancing will remain in effect.

Finally, the use of remote technology to hear cases will continue to be encouraged. In view of the fact that many hearings are now being held remotely, it is not anticipated that the court’s business will change greatly in Phase IV, except for the return to full staffing and opening of the building to members of the public by appointment.

Thank you for your continued cooperation as we hopefully begin the return to a more normal operation.

Robert A. Greenberg
Administrative Judge