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MAY 2012
Courts
The court system in Montgomery County is headquartered in the county seat, Rockville. Here is a brief overview of the legal system:
DISTRICT AND CIRCUIT COURT There are two levels of trial courts: the state-run District Court, operating in Rockville and Silver Spring, and the county-run Circuit Court of Montgomery County (part of Maryland’s Sixth Judicial Circuit with Frederick) in Rockville. Generally speaking, the District Court handles small claims cases, as well as misdemeanors and felonies with penalties of less than three years in jail or as much as $2,500 in fines. Speeding, redlight running, drunken driving and landlord-tenant cases generally
are heard there. All trials in District Court are argued before a judge; the court hears no jury trials. The Circuit Court handles major civil and criminal cases, family law cases such as divorce and custody, and appeals from the District Court. It is the only court in the county to have jury trials. Juvenile Court is part of the Circuit Court, but is temporarily housed at District Court in Rockville until the Circuit Court is expanded. The county’s District Court has 11 judges, including Administrative Judge Eugene Wolfe. The county’s Circuit Court has 22 judges, including County Administrative Judge John W. Debelius III. Information can be found at www.courts.state.md.us. The Rockville courthouse from the south side (Vinson Street, across from Rockville City Hall), showing the reflection on the wall of windows.
STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
The state’s attorney for Montgomery County serves an elected four-year term. John McCarthy (D) was elected to the office in 2006 and again in 2010.
COURTHOUSES Main District Courthouse
191 E. Jefferson St. Rockville, MD 20850 Administrative clerk: 301-279-1520 Civil office: 301-279-1500 Criminal, traffic office: 301-279-1565 Child Support: 800-332-6347 The Juvenile Office, which is part of the Circuit Court but located in the District Courthouse: 240-777-9530
PHIL SIMPSON/THE GAZETTE
Silver Spring District Courthouse
8552 Second Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-563-8500
Circuit Court of Montgomery County
Judicial Center 50 Maryland Ave. Rockville, MD 20850 Clerk’s Office: 240-777-9400 Jury duty questions: 240-777-9090
State’s Attorney’s Office Judicial Center
Fifth Floor 50 Maryland Ave. Rockville, MD 20850 240-777-7300
LAWYER SERVICES Bar Association of Montgomery County 27 W. Jefferson St. Rockville, MD 20850 301-424-3454 www.montbar.org The bar foundation offers help to people who meet certain income guidelines.
Lawyer Referral Service 301-279-9100
Pro Bono Program 301-424-7651
The Office of the Public Defender (criminal cases only)
Office hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday 191 E. Jefferson St.
Rockville, MD 20850 240-773-9600
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS CASA of Maryland
Cultural Diversity
Upcounty Satellite Region 12900 Middlebrook Road Germantown, MD 20874 240-777-4940
8151 15th Ave. Hyattsville, MD 20783 Tel: 301-270-0419 www.casademaryland.org CASA works to inform immigrants and workers about essential workplace rights and strategies to protect themselves. It also hosts legal rights orientation workshops and focuses on the rights of domestic workers. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday for employment.
Legal Aid Bureaus Montgomery Satellite Office
Charles W. Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity
Eagle Building, Fifth Floor 600 Jefferson Plaza Rockville, MD 20852 240-773-0444 240-777-4000 Crisis Line Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
11319 Elkin St. Wheaton, MD 20902 240-777-4940 The center offers immigration advice, health services, English classes and other resources. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Charles W. Gilchrist Center for
51 Monroe St. Rockville, MD 20850 Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday 240-314-0373 or 888-215-5316 www.mdlab.org
Montgomery County Family Justice Center
Spanish Catholic Center
820-A University Blvd. Silver Spring, MD 20903 The community center provides information,
resources and social services, and runs a clinic.
Spanish Catholic Center Clinic 1015 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20902 301-434-8985 For pediatrics: 301-434-3999 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
Spanish Catholic Center 201 E. Diamond Ave. 3rd Floor Gaithersburg, MD 20877 301-740-2523 The center provides immigration information, English classes and other social services; call ahead. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday
TESS Community Service Center 8513 Piney Branch Road Silver Spring, MD 20901 301-565-7675 Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. The center also reopens 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month for legal matters only.