The Court has issued several orders in recent days as the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated certain changes to Court operations. This web page will be updated as additional changes are made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proceedings and Filing Deadlines
Restrictions on Visitors to Courthouses
Misdemeanor, Traffic, and Petty Offense Dockets (CVB Dockets)
Proceedings and Filing Deadlines:
The Court has issued Standing Order 2020-05 concerning court operations under the exigent circumstances created by COVID-19.
As detailed in the Order, all civil, criminal, and bankruptcy proceedings in the District of Maryland, including court appearances, trials, hearings, settlement conferences, conference calls, naturalization and admission ceremonies, and grand jury meetings now scheduled to occur from March 16, 2020, through April 24, 2020, are POSTPONED and will be rescheduled at a later date, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge in an individual case directing that a particular proceeding will be held on or before April 24, 2020.
In addition, all filing deadlines for all cases now set to fall between March 16, 2020, and April 24, 2020, are EXTENDED by forty-two days, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge in an individual case.
On March 31, 2020, the Court issued a COVID Panemdic Procedures Order limiting in-court proceedings to Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays.
The Court remains open for emergency criminal, civil, and bankruptcy matters related to public safety, public health and welfare, and individual liberty. This Order does not toll any applicable statute of limitations. Electronic filing through CM/ECF remains available, and self-represented litigants may deposit and date-stamp papers in the drop boxes at each courthouse between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Restrictions on Visitors to Courthouses:
The Court has issued Second Amended Standing Order 2020-02 concerning restrictions on visitors to the courthouses. Members of the public are no longer permitted to enter the courthouse except for litigants with scheduled proceedings, counsel of record, investigators or employees of counsel, and credentialed press. This Order does not affect access to the drop boxes for each Division. All persons seeking entrance to these facilities should expect to be screened for flu-like symptoms, including possibly fever tested, and may be denied entry.
Southern Division Courthouse:
The Court has issued a COVID-19 Pandemic Procedures Order temporarily suspending all in-court proceedings in the Southern Division Courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland. All emergency civil, criminal, or bankruptcy matters arising in the Southern Division will be heard in the Northern Division. This Order does not affect the availability of electronic case filing through CM/ECF for Southern Division cases or access to the Southern Division drop box between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Misdemeanor, Traffic, and Petty Offense Dockets (CVB Dockets):
The Court has issued a COVID-19 Procedures Order POSTPONING AND CONTINUING all Central Violations Bureau proceedings (misdemeanor, traffic, and petty offense dockets) scheduled in this District through May 31, 2020.
Clerk's Office Operations:
The Clerk's Office intake counters are closed in both courthouses. The Clerk's Office remains open to the public through telephone and filings may be made via the drop boxes located in the lobby of each courthouse. The drop boxes are available between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Electronic filing through CM/ECF remains available.
The Court has issued a COVID-19 Procedures Order temporarily suspending the delivery of courtesy copies to the Clerk's Office for the presiding judge.
The Court has issued a COVID-19 Procedures Order regarding the submission of vouchers by Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel Attorneys.
