Maryland Supreme Court Decisions

Located in Annapolis, the Maryland Supreme Court is the highest court in Maryland. (It was known as the Maryland Court of Appeals until December 14, 2022, when a constitutional amendment changed its name.) The Court issues rules of administration, practice, and procedure that govern lower courts and the legal profession in Maryland. In addition to answering broad legal questions, it holds exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving certain issues. These include appeals from a death sentence, challenges to legislative redistricting, and matters related to the removal of elected officials. The Court also oversees disciplinary proceedings for attorneys and judges.

To serve as a judge on the Maryland Supreme Court, a candidate must be at least 30 years old at the time of their appointment and admitted to practice law in the state. A candidate also must be a citizen and a qualified voter in Maryland, a resident of the state for at least five years, and a resident of the judicial circuit to which they are appointed for at least six months. Seven judges serve on the Court, representing each of the state’s seven appellate judicial circuits. The Governor of Maryland appoints each judge, but the Maryland Senate must confirm them. To remain on the Court after their appointment, they must win a retention election at least one year later. Each judge serves a 10-year term. Judges in Maryland must retire when they turn 70.

A judge may be removed from the Maryland Supreme Court if they are impeached by the House of Delegates and convicted by two-thirds of the Senate. They also may be removed by the Governor upon the address of the General Assembly if the Governor obtains the agreement of two-thirds of the House of Delegates and two-thirds of the Senate. In other cases, the Supreme Court may remove one of its judges if the Commission on Judicial Disabilities recommends this measure. The General Assembly also has the authority to retire a judge upon a two-thirds vote in each house, combined with the concurrence of the Governor.

Browse Opinions From the Maryland Supreme Court

Recent Decisions From the Maryland Supreme Court
Resignation of King Jr.
Date: March 6, 2024
Docket Number: 46ag/23
Harvey v. DeMarinis
Date: February 28, 2024
Docket Number: 26/23
Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Donnelly
Date: February 27, 2024
Docket Number: 53ag/22
Petition of the Off. Of People's Counsel  
Date: February 23, 2024
Docket Number: 11/23

Justia Opinion Summary: In a dispute regarding a Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) decision to approve a rate increase for Washington Gas and Light Company (Washington Gas), the Supreme Court of Maryland held that a reviewing court must…

In the Matter of SmartEnergy  
Date: February 22, 2024
Docket Number: 1/23

Justia Opinion Summary: SmartEnergy Holdings, LLC, a retail electricity supplier, was found to have violated various provisions of Maryland law governing retail electricity suppliers, including engaging in deceptive, misleading, and unfair…

Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Anderson
Date: February 22, 2024
Docket Number: 41ag/23
Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Weinberg
Date: February 21, 2024
Docket Number: 1ago/22
Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Chang
Date: February 16, 2024
Docket Number: 36ag/23
Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Johnson
Date: February 16, 2024
Docket Number: 40ag/23
Application of Patterson to Resign
Date: January 31, 2024
Docket Number: 29ag/23
Application of Sausser to Resign
Date: January 31, 2024
Docket Number: 34ag/23
Motor Vehicle Admin. v. Usan  
Date: January 25, 2024
Docket Number: 6/23

Justia Opinion Summary: In this case, the Supreme Court of Maryland held that the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) did not err in concluding that law enforcement had reasonable grounds to believe that Rahq Deika Montana Usan was driving a vehicle…

Reinstatement of Sloane to the Bar of Md.
Date: January 19, 2024
Docket Number: 19ag/23
Reinstatement of Kilroy to the Bar of Md.
Date: January 19, 2024
Docket Number: 20ag/23
Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Bobotek
Date: January 19, 2024
Docket Number: 31ag/23
The opinions published on Justia State Caselaw are sourced from individual state court sites. These court opinions may not be the official published versions, and you should check your local court rules before citing to them. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site, or the information linked to on the state site.

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

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