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The Circuit Courts of Maryland are the state trial courts of general jurisdiction in Maryland. They are Maryland's highest courts of record exercising original jurisdiction at law and in equity in all civil and criminal matters, and have such additional powers and jurisdiction as conferred by the Maryland Constitution of 1867 as amended, or by law.〔Annotated Code of Maryland, Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article (hereafter "CJP"), §1-501.〕 The Circuit Courts also preside over divorce and most family law matters. Probate and estate matters are handled by a separate Orphans' Court. The Circuit Courts are the only Maryland state courts empowered to conduct jury trials. ==Organization== Each of Maryland's 23 counties and the independent city of Baltimore has its own Circuit Court, which is entitled: "The Circuit Court of Maryland for - - - - (jurisdiction - Baltimore City)". The number of judges on each of the Circuit Courts is set by statute.〔CJP §1-503.〕 The Circuit Courts are grouped into eight judicial circuits. Each circuit encompasses two or more counties, except for the Eighth Circuit, which consists solely of Baltimore City.〔Maryland Constitution, Art. IV, §19.〕 The most senior judge in the circuit is the Chief Judge; all other judges are Associate Judges.〔Art. IV, §21.〕 The state is divided into eight judicial circuits, which are presently as follows: *1st Judicial Circuit (7 judges): Dorchester (1 judge), Somerset (1 judge), Wicomico (3 judges) & Worcester (2 judges) counties *2nd Judicial Circuit (7 judges): Caroline (1 judge), Cecil (3 judges), Kent (1 judge), Queen Anne's(1 judge) & Talbot (1 judge) counties *3rd Judicial Circuit (21 judges): Baltimore County (16 judges) & Harford County (5 judges) *4th Judicial Circuit (7 judges): Allegany (2 judges), Garrett (1 judge) & Washington (4 judges) counties *5th Judicial Circuit (18 judges): Anne Arundel (10 judges), Carroll (3 judges) & Howard (5 judges) counties *6th Judicial Circuit (24 judges): Frederick (4 judges) & Montgomery (20 judges) counties *7th Judicial Circuit (32 judges): Calvert (3 judges), Charles (4 judges), Prince George's (23 judges) & St Mary's (3 judges) counties *8th Judicial Circuit (30 judges): Baltimore City Judges of the Circuit Courts of Maryland are elected to 15-year terms in the general election.〔Art. IV, §3.〕 Their salaries may not be diminished while in office.〔Art. IV, §24; CJP §1-701.〕 The Governor may fill vacancies by appointment until the next general election for the United States House of Representatives occurring after one year from the time the vacancy was created, except in cases where the vacancy is by expiration of term, in which case, the vacancy is filled until the next general election for U.S. Representatives (congressmen).〔Maryland Constitution, Art. IV, §5.〕 Judges must be at least 30 years old, qualified voters, members of the Maryland bar, and residents both of Maryland for at least five years and for at least 6 months of the place for which they are elected to serve.〔Art. IV, §2.〕 Judges must retire at age 70.〔Art. IV, §3.〕 The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland (highest court in state and supreme court of Maryland) may assign a former judge to sit temporarily in any Maryland court, if approved by the administrative judge of the circuit in question.〔CJP §1-302.〕 Each Circuit Court also has its own Clerk, who is elected by the citizens of the county (or Baltimore City) to a four-year term.〔Art. IV, §25.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Maryland Circuit Courts」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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