Introduction
The Supreme Court of Maryland is the highest judicial state court in the state of Maryland. Previously known as the Court of Appeals, the name change was made in 2022. The courts hears cases by the way of certiorai.
Along with hearing cases, The Supreme Court of Maryland also admits lawyers into practice in the state of Maryland, establishes rules of practice and procedure in Maryland Courts, and disciplines judges and lawyers who violate the rules and procedures.
- Wex's definition on certiorariIndependently funded project of Cornell Law School that makes law language accessible to the public.
- Supreme Court of Maryland's Origin and FunctionsMaryland State Archives On-Line Manual explaining the history and the functions of the Supreme Court of Maryland.
Supreme Court of Maryland Hearings Structure
Once the Supreme Court of Maryland decides to hear the case by way of certiorari. The Court then creates a briefing schedule, and then schedules the oral arguments. Both sides typically have 30 minutes for their oral argument, and justices ask questions during this time.
The two sides are appellant, and appellee. Typically, the appellant side and appellee side each reserve 20 minutes for their opening argument and 10 minutes for their rebuttal.
The cases are decided by a vote by the seven justices. The Supreme Court of Maryland hearings are not trial hearings instead they determine wether the Trial Courts applied the correct concepts of law and if trial proceedings were conducted fairly.
It is customary for The Supreme Court of Maryland to hear cases that have wide public and legal significance in both criminal and civil matters.
- Supreme Court of MarylandThe Supreme Court of Maryland website with updated information
- Journalist Guide to Maryland's Legal SystemGuide to understanding all the components of Maryland's State and Federal Courts. Published in 2019 does not show recent name change. Supreme Court of Maryland is referred to as The Court of Appeals.
- Supreme Court Oral Arguments ArchiveLive recordings of The Supreme Court of Maryland's oral arguments. Recordings from 2020 to present.
Opinions
Opinions are written explanations of why judges made their decisions regarding a case.
- How to Read an Opinion of a CourtJackson State's University's guide on what a court opinion is, and how to read a court opinion.
- Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library: Finding Case LawThurgood Marshall's People's Law Library site explaining how to find Maryland case law, and describes the publishing of Court opinions.
- Maryland Appellate Court Reported OpinionsPublished Supreme Court of Maryland, and Appellate Court of Maryland opinions.
- Unreported OpinionsRepository of unreported opinions within the Appellate Court of Maryland. Reports filed from May 2015 to present.
