FY 24 APPROVED OPERATING BUDGET

AN OVERVIEW OF HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND

In 1851, Article V, Section 7 of the Maryland Constitution created the position of the State’s Attorney for each county and Baltimore City. The Constitution of 1867 defined the duties of the State’s Attorney, as they exist today. The State’s Attorney is primarily responsible for the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases at the trial level. State’s Attorneys work with the police in the development of cases, presentations to the Grand Jury and trial of cases in Circuit, District or Juvenile Court. Harford County’s State’s Attorney is elected to a four-year term with no term limit.

JUDICIAL

The Judicial System in Harford County is represented by a District Court and a Circuit Court.

The District Court of Maryland, created by a constitutional amendment in 1970, is divided into twelve geographical districts. Each district contains one or more political subdivisions, with at least one judge in each subdivision. District 9 covers Harford County alone with four Judges. The District Court Judges are appointed by the Governor to ten year terms, they do not stand for election. The District Court is centrally administered and totally funded by the State. In minor civil and criminal matter, and in virtually all violation of the Motor Vehicle Law, the District Court has jurisdiction. The exclusive jurisdiction of the District Court includes all landlord-tenant cases, replevin actions (recovery of wrongfully taken or detained goods), motor vehicle violations, misdemeanor cases, boating and vehicle offenses, minor criminal cases involving bad checks, credit cards, counterfeiting, insurance or workers’ compensation fraud and theft, and certain felonies. In civil cases, the District Court has exclusive jurisdiction in claims for amounts up to $5,000, and concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Courts in claims for amounts above $5,000 but less than $30,000. The jurisdiction of the court in criminal cases is concurrent with the Circuit Court for offenses in which the penalty may be confinement for three years or more or a fine of $2,500 or more; or offenses which are felonies. A case in the District court is argued before a judge only. There are no jury trials in District Court. Maryland Circuit Courts were established by the State Constitution of 1851, Article IV, Sections 8 and 9; they are grouped into eight geographical circuits. The first seven each contain two or more counties; the eighth consists of Baltimore City. The Third Judicial Circuit covers Baltimore and Harford Counties with seventeen Judges and five Judges, respectively. Circuit Court Judges are appointed by the Governor and then must stand for election in the first general election that occurs at least one year following the vacancy the judge was appointed to fill. The Judge may be opposed formally by one or more qualified members of the bar, with the successful candidate being elected to a fifteen year term. Circuit Courts are the highest common law and equity courts of record exercising original jurisdiction within Maryland. Each has full common law and equity powers and jurisdiction in all civil and criminal cases within its county. All the additional powers and jurisdiction conferred by the Maryland Constitution and by law, except where jurisdiction has been limited or conferred exclusively upon another tribunal by law (Code Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, sec. 1-501). The Circuit Courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction. Their jurisdiction is very broad but generally covers major civil cases and more serious criminal matters. Circuit Courts also may decide appeals from the District Court of Maryland and certain administrative agencies, as well as hearing domestic violence cases. Cases may involve juries or sometimes are heard by a judge only. The State of Maryland appropriates funds for the salaries of all Circuit Court Judges, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and all employees of the Clerk’s Office. Harford County funds the cost of the Judges’ staff, juror fees, Juvenile Court, and certain Court related functions.

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