The Frederick County Circuit Court
The Circuit Court is Maryland's general-jurisdiction trial court. In Frederick County it handles felony and serious criminal cases, major civil disputes, family law and divorce, juvenile matters, jury trials, and appeals from the District Court. It is the only county trial court that holds jury trials. Frederick County is in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, shared with Montgomery County.
Local court administration handles scheduling and case flow. The Circuit Administrator is Judy Lohman at 301-600-1843, and the Assignment Commissioner is Alex Wright at 301-600-2563. General information runs through 301-600-1976. The court and the Clerk of the Circuit Court both sit at 100 West Patrick Street.
Above the trial courts sit Maryland's appellate courts. Most Circuit Court appeals go to the Appellate Court of Maryland, the intermediate appellate court. The Supreme Court of Maryland is the state's highest court. These names changed in recent years, so older records and websites may still use the former titles for both courts.
Frederick County Courts and Contacts
Several courts and court offices share the downtown complex. Each handles a different slice of the county's cases and records. The table lists the main trial courts and offices with their addresses and phone lines.
| Court / Office | Role | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court for Frederick County | General trial court; jury trials | 100 West Patrick Street | 301-600-1976 |
| District Court of Maryland (11-01) | Limited trial court | 100 W. Patrick Street | 301-600-2000 |
| Orphans' Court | Judicial probate matters | 100 West Patrick Street | 301-600-6565 |
| Register of Wills | Estate administration | 100 West Patrick Street | 301-600-6565 |
| Adult Drug Treatment Court | Specialty Circuit Court program | 100 West Patrick Street | 301-600-2978 |
For full case files from any of these courts, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Register of Wills are the record custodians.
Circuit Court vs District Court in Frederick County
The two trial courts split the workload by seriousness and case type. The Circuit Court takes the larger and more serious matters and holds jury trials. The District Court takes high-volume, lower-stakes cases without juries. The comparison below sets out the key differences.
| Point | Circuit Court | District Court of Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Type | General jurisdiction | Limited jurisdiction |
| Jury trials | Yes | No |
| Civil limit | No cap on amount | Up to $30,000 |
| Criminal | Felonies and serious cases | Misdemeanors and some felonies |
| Other matters | Family, juvenile, appeals from District Court | Traffic, landlord-tenant, replevin |
Both trial courts post their records to Maryland Case Search, so a single name search can return cases from either one at the same time.
What the Frederick County Circuit Court Handles
The Circuit Court is organized around the major case types. Its criminal side hears felonies, indictments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and post-conviction filings. Its civil side hears higher-value disputes, equity matters, and appeals. The family division handles divorce, custody, child support, guardianship, and name changes.
The court also hears juvenile matters, though those records are restricted under Maryland law. The Clerk's office keeps separate counters and phone lines for civil at 301-600-2969, criminal and traffic at 301-600-1973, family at 301-600-1977, and juvenile at 301-600-1968. For the case files behind these matters, use Frederick County court records.
The District Court of Maryland in Frederick County
The District Court of Maryland is the limited trial court, and the Frederick location is District 11-01 at 100 W. Patrick Street, reachable at 301-600-2000. The official page lists its jurisdiction as landlord-tenant cases, replevin, traffic violations, misdemeanors and certain felonies, and civil cases of $30,000 or less. It does not hold jury trials.
The District Court names Hon. Eric Schaffer as Administrative Judge, Kimberly Hurd as Administrative Clerk, and Justin Cross as Administrative Commissioner. Its weekly docket is refreshed each evening and lists cases for the coming week. Traffic matters are a large share of its work, covered on the traffic court records page.
How a Frederick County Case Moves Through the System
Cases travel between courts based on type and stage. Many begin in the District Court, then move up if a jury trial is requested or the matter is serious. Felonies and major civil cases often start in the Circuit Court. Appeals climb the ladder from there.
Case flow: District Court of Maryland › Circuit Court › Appellate Court of Maryland › Supreme Court of Maryland
Probate runs on a separate track. Estate matters begin administratively with the Register of Wills, and contested issues go to the Orphans' Court. Because a case can shift courts, the court listed on a record may change over time, so confirm the current court on Case Search or with the clerk.
The Orphans' Court and Probate
The Orphans' Court is Maryland's probate court for judicial estate matters. It steps in when an estate is contested or needs court action, such as a fight over a will's validity. Most estates, though, are handled administratively by the Register of Wills without a court hearing.
So the Orphans' Court is a narrow but important part of the county's court structure. For estate searches, filing steps, and the Register of Wills, see the probate records page, which covers the probate side in full.
Specialty Courts in the Frederick County Circuit Court
The Circuit Court runs problem-solving programs alongside its regular docket. The Adult Drug Treatment Court is a voluntary, post-plea, pre-sentence program for nonviolent, drug-involved defendants. The defendant pleads guilty, sentencing is deferred, and the judge sentences at graduation or termination. The Drug Court Coordinator is D. Paul Wolford at 301-600-2978.
The court also lists a Family Services Program, a Self Help Law Center, and mediation programs. These services are part of the Circuit Court structure, and their records sit inside the related court case. The program started in May 2005 and continues today.
Visiting the Frederick County Courthouse
Both trial courts sit at 100 West Patrick Street in downtown Frederick. Official directions route visitors from I-70 Exit 54 for East Street and Downtown Frederick, then left onto East Patrick Street and left onto Court Street. From Route 15 or I-270, you connect to I-70 and use the same exit.
Plan for security. All people and articles are subject to search, and in courtrooms devices must be off and out of view, with no photos or recording. The District Court page notes fee parking nearby and names the Transit Services Route 40 Connector for bus access. For interpreter or ADA help, contact the court as early as you can.