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Wednesday, June 04, 2014

Circuit Court

In Maryland, a Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction. That Court hears all jury trial, serious criminal, complex civil, and family law cases. That is to say, in Maryland, all jury trials (criminal or civil), all serious criminal trials (typically for felonies), all civil suits complex or for more than $30,000), and all divorce/custody of children/child visitation cases are tried before a Circuit Court Judge.

Additionally, a Circuit Court hears juvenile cases, appeals from the District Court (either based on the record of the District Court trial, or all over again- "de novo"), and appeals from the Orphans' Court and other administrative agencies.

Thus, it would be illogical, indeed some might say foolish, to have a Circuit Court Judge that had never been lead counsel in a jury trial, never tried a serious criminal case, never tried a complex civil case, never tried a contested divorce, and never handled a custody or visitation matter.

In Maryland, unlike the relatively shorter terms for a Governor or Mayor, a Circuit Court Judge is elected to stand for 15 years. Why would ANY county want less than a full range of experience in all of the case types that the Circuit Court hears?

I can't think of a good reason either.

We are hiring a person, an individual, to handle some of the most important issues in Wicomico County. Let us make sure we hire the best, most qualified, experienced person we can. So much is riding on our selection.

Vote for M.J. Caldwell

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joe, an excellent post.

Why would we hire anyone for a job they had NO experience for?

And are we willing to make a 15 year mistake?

Ohhhh, that would be no.

MJ is the right choice.

Anonymous said...

Ditto that. Successful experience in court proceedings says it all.

MJ it is.

Anonymous said...

My guess is it would be helpful to have been through the experience to know what the heck is going on.

I wouldn't pay good money for a professional that had never done what I'd hired them to do.

15 years is a long time to live with a mistake. I just can't see taking such a big chance on something so important to my community.

MJ seems like he's been there and done that.

He's got my vote.

Anonymous said...

10:57 WHY DID YOU VOTE FOR OBAMA TWICE?

Anonymous said...

MJ has my vote

Anonymous said...

Judge Jimmie-boy is scamming us -- se this:

http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2014/06/wicomico-county-dont-be-fooled-by-that.html

Anonymous said...

call or write this woman.