Message from the Circuit Court

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January 14, 2022 - Message from the Circuit Court Regarding Extension of Phase III

Interim Administrative Order of December 27, 2021 Restricting Statewide Judiciary Operations in Light of the Omicron Variant of the COVID-19 Emergency has been extended through Sunday, March 6, 2022.

On Monday, December 27, 2021, the Maryland Judiciary announced it is reverting to Phase III of its court operations plan in response to the recent surge in Maryland of COVID-19 cases. In compliance with the Interim Administrative Order issued by the Court of Appeals of Maryland issued earlier today, and in an effort to protect the health and welfare of courthouse employees and other persons who use the courthouse, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD shall institute the following procedures effective December 29, 2021:

  • All trials, civil and criminal, jury and non-jury, that commenced as of December 28, 2021 shall proceed to conclusion.
  • All jury trials, civil and criminal, scheduled to begin between December 29, 2021 and March 6, 2022 shall be rescheduled by the Court.
  • All in-person emergency hearings as described in Phase Three operations shall be conducted. However, the Court shall conduct such proceedings remotely to the greatest extent possible.
  • All in-person trials and hearings, civil and criminal, scheduled to begin between December 29, 2021 and March 6, 2022 shall be rescheduled by the Court. However, if possible, the Court shall conduct such proceedings remotely to the greatest extent possible. Thus, if you have an upcoming hearing, check the court website to ascertain whether your hearing will be held virtually or in-person.
  • Statutory and rules deadlines related to the adjudication of pending criminal matters that are rescheduled shall not count against the time remaining for the start of a criminal jury trial per the Interim Administrative Order of December 27, 2021 Restricting Statewide Judiciary Operations in Light of the Omicron Variant of the COVID-19 Emergency.
  • All visitors to the courthouse will participate in a temperature check and be asked to respond to health screening questions. Masks, covering both the nose and mouth, must be worn at all times by individuals over the age of two.
  • More flexible alternative work arrangements for employees will be permitted, in order to keep the building population to a minimum; this may have some minimal effect on services.
  • The Register of Wills will be closed to the public for in-person meetings through March 6, 2022. Contact the office at 240-777-9600.
  • Notary Public renewals and initial appointments will be by appointment only and conducted outside the Maryland Avenue entrance. Call 240-777-9460 for an appointment.
  • The Licensing Department will issue marriage licenses by appointment only. Call 240-777-9460. Wedding ceremony appointments, already scheduled, will be rescheduled. If you have a wedding ceremony already scheduled, the License Department will contact you to reschedule.
  • Land Records will receive recordings outside the Maryland Avenue entrance at 10:00am, 12 noon, and 2:00pm. Recording documents inside the courthouse or researching in the Land Records Department will be suspended until March 6, 2022.
  • The Family Law Self-Help Center will now provide legal assistance via telephone and appointment only. No walk-in service will be available. Calls are received Monday through Friday between 8:30am - 4:00pm at 240-777-9079.
  • The Law Library is available to assist researchers remotely. Library staff will respond to inquiries from 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, at lawlibrary@mcccourt.com or 240-777-9120.
  • Attorneys and others who wish to view court files must do so via the Maryland Judiciary Records Search Portal. If the file is unavailable through the portal, contact 240-777-9491 to have the file scanned into the portal. There will be no in-person viewing of files, even by persons who may otherwise be in the courthouse for hearings or other proceedings.
  • MDEC should be used to file a new suit. If you are a self-represented litigant and are filing document(s) with the court, please use regular mail or in the Maryland Avenue drop box and be sure to provide your email address for the benefit of the court and opposing parties.
  • When participating in a remote proceeding, you agree that you will not record, broadcast or forward any portion of the trial, hearing or proceeding. This prohibition applies to the use of television, radio, and photographic (including screenshots), or recording equipment. You also agree that you will not share the link to the trial or hearing with or forward or disseminate the link to any other person or entity. Violation of these terms may result in you being held in contempt of court and/or sanctioned.

These new policies will remain in effect through March 6, 2022. The court regrets the inconvenience that may be caused to the Bar and the public by these changes. For additional information, please consult the Court’s COVID-19 Updates page. Thank you for your cooperation in these matters.

James A. Bonifant
Administrative Judge