Remote Hearing Information

Per the Maryland Rules the following Guidelines have been created for Remote Hearings for the Maryland Trial Courts.

Guidelines for Remote Hearings in the Maryland Trial Courts

The following procedures have been adopted by the Frederick County Circuit Court based on the above Guidelines.

Administrative Order Regarding Remote Hearing Requests

Some Court proceedings may continue to be conducted remotely.  However, the hearing types listed below will routinely be scheduled as in-person hearings and all parties appear are expected to appear in person unless a Motion for Remote Proceeding / Appear Remotely is granted. The forms are found here: 

ALL contested matters including

  • Criminal Pre-Trial Hearings
  • Pendente Lite Hearings
  • Motions Hearings in ALL casetypes
  • Merits Hearings and Trials in ALL casetypes
  • Scheduling Conferences in FAMILY CASETYPES ONLY

The following types of hearings MAY or MAY NOT be scheduled as remote hearings:

  • Scheduling Conferences in all casetypes, with the exception of family casetypes
  • Status Conferences in all civil and family cases
  • Pre-Trial Conferences in all civil and family cases
  •  Juvenile matters  (both CINA and Delinquency)
  •  Any uncontested matters in family casetypes that require testimony only

For any hearings / court proceedings that have been determined to be held remotely, the Judge or Magistrate's chambers assigned to hear the matter will contact you the afternoon prior to your scheduled hearing date.  At that time you will be given instructions on how to participate in the hearing. If you are a party and represented by counsel, please notify your counsel of all correct contact information for a Remote Hearing to include, mailing address, email address, and telephone numbers.  

ANY PARTY OR INTERESTED PERSON CAN REQUEST TO BE HEARD REMOTELY, the assigned judge or administrative judge will rule on the request on a case by case basis.

For more information and assistance with Remote Hearings please go to the Remote Hearing Toolkit Page