District or Circuit Court

• In Maryland, there are two types of trial courts: district and circuit. District courts handle landlord-tenant issues, small claims cases less than $5,000, civil disputes from $5,000 to $30,000, motor vehicle violations, less serious criminal actions and some domestic violence cases. Circuit courts handle more serious criminal cases, divorce, civil matters more than $25,000 and any cases where a jury is requested.
  
  

Commencement of Action and Process (Chapter 100)

• This chapter explains how a court action should be started (commenced) and the process of summons and service. Summons subsections detail required content, issuance and expiration. Service subsections explain who should be served and by what methods, limitations and notifying the court of service.
  
  

Parties (Chapter 200)

• These rules address who the parties are in a case, how they should be joined (if necessary), intervention of interested parties, interpleader actions and substitution of parties.
  
  

Pleadings and Motions (Chapter 300)

• Pleadings and motions are papers filed with the court, specifying what you want the court to do. This chapter covers which pleadings are allowed, what they should contain, how and when they are presented to the court and how to request a jury trial. There are also specific details about types of pleadings and motions, how to amend them and request for dismissal or transfer of a case.
  
  

Discovery (Chapter 400)

• The process of discovery involves each side of an action being allowed to investigate the other's evidence before trial. This chapter explains allowable methods of discovery, interrogatories (written questions) and perpetuation of testimony by deposition.
  
  

Trial (Chapter 500)

• Trial is where most cases are decided, whether by a judge or jury. This chapter describes what happens before a trial, such as pretrial actions, disqualification of judges, dismissal, continuance and subpoenas. There are also rules about what happens during trial: witnesses, evidence, exhibits, objections and motion for judgment. Post-trial procedures include motion for a new trial, motion to alter or amend a judgment and revisory power of the court.
  
  

Judgment (Chapter 600)

• Judgment is a court's decision. Chapter 600 explains all aspects of judgment, including types, expiration and renewal, transmittal, enforcement and execution, levies and garnishments.
  
  

Special Proceedings (Chapter 700, District Court only)

• In Title 3 for district courts only, there is a chapter explaining special proceedings. Special proceedings are those which only district courts handle, such as small claim actions, landlord-tenant and grantee actions, receivers and form or content of peace orders.
  
  More information on Maryland law, rules, procedures and forms is available online (see Resources section).