COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Updates

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Maryland Courts Resources - Phase 4

On Monday, March 15, 2021, the Judiciary returned to Phase 4 of its Phased Reopening Plan. 

Peace and Protective Orders

Courts will hear new peace and protective order cases during court hours. To file a new peace or protective order case after court hours, visit a District Court commissioner. Your case will be heard. Learn more about each process: 

Housing: Landlord/Tenant

District Courts will hear all landlord/tenant cases, including failure to pay rent and breach of lease cases. The District Court will schedule previously filed cases that have not been heard. 

Housing: Foreclosure

The Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation has issued regulatory guidance that prevents the start of a residential foreclosure. This prevents new foreclosures until May 4, 2021. This guidance does not affect foreclosures that have already been filed.

Foreclosures and Ejectments resumed on July 25, 2020, meaning these matters can be heard. There are certain new requirements, such as a verified Declaration of Exemption from Moratorium requirement.

Governor Hogan's Executive Order requires certain notices to borrowers until the state of emergency is lifted.

  • For residential properties with a federal mortgage loan, the servicer must provide the borrower with notice that the borrower has the right to request a loan forbearance, and the loan servicer has complied with the CARES Act.
  • For residential properties with a non-federal mortgage loan, the loan servicer must notify the borrower, in writing, that the borrower may request a forbearance of up to 180 days IF the borrower is experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 health emergency. The loan servicer must send this notice at least 30 days before sending the notice of intent to foreclose. The borrower has 90 days after the date of this notice to request a forbearance, regardless of the delinquency status. This period of 180 days may be extended for an additional 180 days if the borrower makes this request during the initial 180-day forbearance period.

Read the Administrative Order: Seventh Amended Administrative Order on the Suspension During the COVID-19 Emergency of Foreclosures, Evictions, and Other Ejectments Involving Residences

Family Law, CINA, & Guardianship

Family law, CINA, and Guardianship cases are fully operational as of March 15, 2021. Pending cases will be scheduled.

Criminal Cases, Jury Trials, and Jury Duty

All criminal matters are fully operational except jury trials.

Jury trials are postponed until April 23, 2021. Courts will restart criminal jury trials on April 26, 2021. Courts may give priority to criminal trials and other urgent matters.

Deadline for Offering Jury Trials to Defendants Extended - The days that jury trials could not be offered to defendants due to the COVID-19 health emergency do not count against the time remaining for the start of a criminal jury trial. The following dates do not count against the time remaining for the start of a criminal jury trial:

  • March 16, 2020-October 4, 2020
  • November 16, 2020 - April 23, 2021

The days above will not be counted for the trial date deadlines found in Rule 4-271 (also called the Hicks rule).

For criminal cases started before March 12, 2020, the deadline for holding criminal jury trials will be suspended for an additional 30 days after jury trials resume.

Read the Administrative Order: Sixth Amended Administrative Order Clarifying the Statewide Suspension of Jury Trials and Maintaining Grand Juries

Traffic

The District Court will begin scheduling most traffic cases during Phase 4. Cases will be scheduled for hearing after April 26, 2021

Filing Court Documents

Clerks’ offices in the District Court of Maryland and circuit courts are open to the public for all matters. Physical distancing requirements may limit the number of people allowed at one time.

Filing Deadlines and Statutes of Limitation

Filing deadlines and statutes of limitations are not changed during the Phase 4 period of March 15, 2021 - April 25, 2021. 

Filing deadlines and statutes of limitations were impacted during the previous court closure from March 16 - July 20, 2020. Important details include: 

New Cases – The Court extended the deadline to initiate new matters.

  • Deadlines established by Maryland law or court rules about when you must file new matters in the Maryland state courts, including statutes of limitations, are tolled or suspended effective March 16, 2020.
  • The deadlines are tolled or suspended by the number of days the courts are closed plus an additional 15 days.
  • The number of days that the courts are closed means March 16, 2020 through July 20, 2020, which are the number of days that the offices of the clerks of the court are closed due to the COVID-19 health emergency. This time (March 16 – July 20) does not count against the time remaining to start a new case.
  • More information, including an example, is available on the Maryland Courts website.

Pending Cases - The Court extended the deadline for hearings and other judicial proceedings in existing cases.

  • Deadlines established by Maryland law or court rules in existing cases are tolled or suspended effective March 16 by the number of days the courts are closed plus an additional 60 days.
  • The number of days that the courts are closed means March 16, 2020 through July 20, 2020, which are the number of days that the offices of the clerks of the court are closed due to the COVID-19 health emergency. This time (March 16 – July 20) does not count against the time remaining to conduct judicial proceedings.
  • These proceedings will be scheduled at a future date. Other deadlines remain in effect.
  • See the Maryland Courts website for more information, including examples.

No Dismissals for Lack of Jurisdiction or Prosecution - Under normal circumstances the court may dismiss a civil case for lack of jurisdiction (failure to serve the defendant within a specific time) or lack of prosecution (failure to take any action within 1 year). The court will recalculate when cases are eligible to be dismissed for these reasons in light of the modified deadlines.

Read the Administrative Order: Seventh Revised Administrative Order on the Emergency Tolling or Suspension of Statutes of Limitations and Statutory and Rules Deadlines Related to the Initiation of Matters and Certain Statutory and Rules Deadlines in Pending Matters

Remote Hearings

Read the Administrative Order: Amended Administrative Order on Remote Hearings Held During the COVID-19 Emergency

Life Planning and Powers of Attorney

A Message from Chief Judge Barbera

A Message from the Chief Judge | March 12, 2021 from Maryland Judiciary on Vimeo.

Last Updated: Mon, 04/05/2021 - 8:12 am
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