maryland court case type abbreviations maryland court case type abbreviations

Circuit Court -- A trial court of general jurisdiction. Explore the common criminal charge abbreviations used with juveniles. Opinion -- The statement of the courts decision in a case, setting out the reasons for the decision. App. Affiant -- The person who makes and signs an affidavit. Also the endorsement made by the officer upon the writ or other paper stating what he has done under it, the time and mode of service etc. Suppress -- To stop, prohibit, prevent, subdue; with respect to evidence, to prevent its use by showing it was obtained illegally or is irrelevant. Examination in Aid of Enforcement of Judgment -- A request by plaintiff (judgment creditor) to discover the assets of a defendant (judgment debtor) after entry of judgment. Settlement Conference -- A process in which you and anyone else involved in your case meet with a neutral attorney who will help you try and find ways to settle your case. Modifications can be ordered in open and closed cases. Notice of Release -- A written request for expungement of police records. Opinion -- The statement of the courts decision in a case, setting out the reasons for the decision. Purge -- To cleanse or clear; eliminate inactive records from court files; with respect to a civil contempt, to curve the noncompliance that caused the contempt finding. Bench -- Process issued by the court itself, or from the bench, for the attachment or arrest of a person. Forfeiture -- The loss of money or property or rights to property by failing to perform a condition or obligation required by the law or court without compensation to the owner. Note: Marital Property does not include property acquired before the marriage; acquired by inheritance or gift from a third party; excluded by valid agreement; acquired during the period that the parties voluntarily lived separate and apart without cohabitation and without interruption; directly traceable to any of these sources. Jurisdiction -- Authority by which courts receive and decide cases. Post Conviction -- A procedure by which a convicted defendant challenges the conviction and/or sentence on the basis of some alleged violation or error. It also includes a probable cause determination on a warrantless arrest and advice of preliminary hearing in felony cases. Plea -- The defendants formal answer to criminal charges. Warrant -- A written order by a judicial officer commanding a peace officer to arrest the person named in it or to search for and seize property as described in it. Title 12. Admission -- The voluntary acknowledgement of the existence of fact facts relevant to an adversarys case. Civil-- Criminal-- Family-- Juvenile-- Probate-- General. Certiorari (writ of) (Trans: to be more fully informed) -- The process by which an appellate court calls for the records of a case from a lower court for review. Disposition -- Determination of the final arrangement or settlement of a case following judgment. Emergency Family Maintenance -- A monetary award that can be ordered by the court in a domestic violence case when the respondent has a duty to support his/her spouse and/or children. Stay -- Hold in abeyance. Modified Administration (MA) - A procedure available when the residual legatees consists of the personal representative, spouse; and children. (Compare Public, Shielded, or Confidential Record). NonProbate (NP) - Property of the decedent which passes by operation of law such as a joint tenancy, tenants by the entireties, or property passing under a deed or trust, revocable or irrevocable. Public Defender -- Counsel provided at public expense, primarily to defend indigent defendants in criminal cases. Copyright 2023 Maryland Judiciary. Miller filled out a portion of the form noting that the test results were "0.148" and that the "Instrument Type" was "5000," but neglected to indicate whether the chemical test was of Hahn's blood or breath. EVENT CODES TRAFFIC ACHG/Accounts Receivable Change ADDL/Additional Paper in District Free-form comment ADDR/ Defendant Address Changed ADEL/Accounts Receivable Delete APPL/Appeal Filed Free-form comment AWDR/Appeal Withdrawn Free-form comment BALR/Bail Review Hearing Date/Bond Received Date; Bail Amount; Defendant Status Code; Percentage Custody Case -- The type of proceeding in which the court determines which parent, other adult, or agency shall have physical control over a child. Foreign Proceeding (FP) - Decedent domiciled out of state with real property in Maryland. Speedy Trial -- The right of the accused to a speedy trial as guaranteed by the 6th Amendment of the United States Constitution; in Maryland, the right to be tried within 180 days after initial appearance, unless waived. (Also known as Modification). Review of Sentence -- Review of a criminal sentence by a three judge panel (excluding the sentencing judge) on application of the defendant; as a result of the review, the sentence may be increased, decreased, or remain unchanged. Prepared by Paul J. Notarianni in 2016. Common Law -- That body of law that was originated in England and was brought to the United States. Guilty -- The word used by an accused in pleading to the charges when he confesses to committing the crime of which he is charged. Warrant -- A written order by a judicial officer commanding a peace officer to arrest the person named in it or to search for and seize property as described in it. A claim by one party against a co-party. (Compare Removal). Court Case Type Abbreviations List District Civil CV Criminal CR Small Claims SC Motor Vehicle CR Stalking CV Landlord/Tenant LT FAMILY Adoption AS Guardianship of Minors GM Children in Need of Services (CHINS) JV Juvenile Delinquency JV . Acquittal -- The finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction, or a verdict that the accused is not guilty. U.S. District Court -- Federal trial court with general jurisdiction. 959 P.2d 128 (1998), the officer's use of . Microfilm -- A photographic record on film of printed or other graphic matter. Subsequent Offender -- A defendant who, because of prior conviction, is subject to additional or mandatory statutory punishment for the offense charged. (Compare Confession). Terms of Use/Disclaimer, The Journalist's Guide to Maryland's Legal System, statement of charges issued 930817 (August 17, 1993), date of hearing/date bond received; bail amount; defendant status bond code; percentage required; commissioner/judge id#, date of commitment order; incarceration location, date bond set; bail amount; type of bond code; percentage posted, Civil 1989 ( some cases are in history database and are unavailable). An order entered by a judge suspending or postponing a proceeding or execution of an action before the Court. The Maryland Judiciary strives to protect the integrity of the information regarding cases and respective parties stored in its applications and systems. (Compare Public, Shielded, or Confidential Record). The purpose of this bond is to assure that the appellant will prosecute his appeal and will appear in court. Procedural Law -- The method, established normally by rules, to be followed in a case; the formal steps in a judicial proceeding. It has no real meaning otherwise. Mandamus -- A court order compelling an individual to fulfill an official ministerial duty. Accused -- The person against whom an accusation is made. Interrogatories -- A set of written questions for the purpose of discovery. Not included are investigatory files, police work-product records used solely for police investigation purposes, or records pertaining to nonincarcerable violations of the vehicle laws of the State or of any other traffic law, ordinance, or regulation. A party who fails to comply with a court order in a civil action. Pending -- Cases that are awaiting further action. Supplementary Proceedings -- Proceedings supplementary to an execution, directed to the discovery of a debtors property and the application of the property to the debt for which the execution is issued. A person so served becomes a third-party defendant. Motor Vehicle (MV) - Transfer of motor vehicle only. Certified Copy -- A copy of a document or record that is certified by the official custodian of the original as a true copy. Bench -- The body of judges composing a court. The defendant is also advised of right to counsel, referred to the Public Defender, if eligible, and informed that further appearance in court without counsel is deemed to be a waiver of counsel. Notice of Release -- A written request for expungement of police records. Immunity from Prosecution -- Protection from prosecution in exchange for testimony that might not otherwise by forthcoming. Nolle Prosequi (Nol Pros) (Trans: to be unwilling to proceed) -- A formal motion in a case by the States Attorney, indicating that the charges will not be prosecuted. Ex Parte -- On one side only, by or for one party; done for, in behalf of, or on the application of, one party only. Custody Case -- The type of proceeding in which the court determines which parent, other adult, or agency shall have physical control over a child. Ex Parte -- On one side only, by or for one party; done for, in behalf of, or on the application of, one party only. Witness -- One who testifies to what he has seen, heard, or otherwise observed and who is not necessarily a party to the action. Appellee -- A party against whom an appeal is taken. Affirmed (Judgment) -- A decision by an appellate court finding that the judgment of a lower court is correct and should stand. Review of Sentence -- Review of a criminal sentence by a three judge panel (excluding the sentencing judge) on application of the defendant; as a result of the review, the sentence may be increased, decreased, or remain unchanged. Mandate -- The judgment issued upon the decision of an appellate court. Read More. The revenue collected by the clerks for these services is distributed to city, county, and state governments. Appeal -- The review of a case in a court of higher jurisdiction. Triple Seal -- Exemplified copy; a term referring to a certification of a court documents authenticity by signature of the clerk and seal of the court and certification by a judge of the court as to the authenticity of the clerks signature and seal; used to permit admission of the court document in a proceeding in another state under the full faith and credit provision of the U.S. Constitution. Res Gestae -- Things done; rule under which a remark made spontaneously and concurrently with an incident carries an inherent degree of credibility and is admissible because of its spontaneous nature (excited utterance); an exception to the hearsay rule. General Jurisdiction -- the unlimited authority over cases brought before the court to decide rights and grant remedies available under the law; circuit courts are courts of general jurisdiction. Traffic case records that have been closed for 36 months and are not serious offenses will roll off Case Search into our history database. Alias (Otherwise called) -- indicating one was called by one or the other of two names. Contempt, Civil -- Noncompliance with a court order or rule that affects another person; punishment is administered to compel compliance. ABA Plea -- A guilty plea based on an agreement patterned on standards recommended by the American Bar Association (ABA); the defendant and the State present to the court, on the record, an agreement that incorporates a specific sentence bound by the terms relating to sentence and disposition. Mistrial -- A trial that has been terminated and declared void due to prejudicial error in the proceedings or other extraordinary circumstances. Release of Lien -- The cancellation of record of a Declaration of Trust or other recorded security instrument given to secure a bail bond that has been discharged. Affiant -- The person who makes and signs an affidavit. Certified Mail -- Mail deposited with the US Postal Service, with postage prepaid and return receipt requested. Commitment Order -- A court order directing that a person be kept in custody, usually in a penal or mental facility. Nolo Contendere (Trans: I will not contest it.) -- The name of a plea in a criminal action having the same legal effect as a plea of guilty so far as regards all proceedings in the case and on which the defendant may be sentenced. Subpoena Duces Tecum -- (Trans: bring it with him) -- A writ commanding a witness to appear and produce documents or papers in court that are relevant to a case. Docket Number -- Case number; the designation assigned to each case filed in a particular court. Plea Agreement -- Agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant to exchange a plea of guilty or nolo contendere for reduction in the charge(s) or leniency in sentencing. Initial Appearance -- The procedure by which an arrested defendant is promptly brought before a judicial officer who advises the defendant of the charges against him, his right to counsel, and his first day to appear in court and establishes conditions of pre-trial release. Third Party Claim -- A defendant may cause a summons and complaint to be served upon a person not a party to the action who is or may be liable to the defendant for all or part of a plaintiffs claim against the defendant. Appellate Court -- A court having jurisdiction to review the judgment or order of a lower court. Statute -- An act of the General Assembly declaring, commanding, or prohibiting something. Misdemeanor -- A minor criminal offense (other than a felony or an infraction) punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both. Pending -- Cases that are awaiting further action. (Compare Removal). Small Estate (SE) - Assets subject to administration valued at $30,000 or less ($50,000 if the spouse is the sole legatee or heir). Res Judicata -- The matter already has been decided; a rule against relitigation of issues. Probable Cause -- Information given to a judicial officer that is sufficient in itself to warrant the issuance of a charging document. Extradition -- The surrender by one state to another of an individual accused or convicted of an offense outside its own territory and within the territorial jurisdiction of the other which, being competent to try and punish him, demands the surrender. De Novo Appeal (Trans: for new) -- An appeal from a District Court to a circuit court for a new trial at which new evidence may be presented and new determinations are made. Indigent -- A person who is unable to afford the expense of a private counsel, payment of fines, and other related costs. Petition for Expungement -- A written request for expungement of Court and police records. Charging Document -- A written accusation alleging that a defendant has committed an offense, including a citation, an indictment, an information, and or a statement of charges. Cepi -- I have taken; the return on a warrant indicating that the defendant has been arrested. Nulla Bona -- No goods; a return to a writ of execution when no goods of the defendant are found to levy. Miranda Warning -- A requirement based on a United States Supreme Court decision that a person be advised of certain constitutional rights against self-incrimination at the time of arrest and before questioning. Writ of Garnishment of Wages -- An order of court commanding that a portion of the defendants wages are deducted regularly and paid to the plaintiff to satisfy a judgment. Find NE Supreme Court decisions, opinions, and cases in FindLaw's searchable . Ordinance -- The enactments of the legislative body of a local government. Satisfaction -- An entry made on the record by a plaintiff that states that he/she has been paid and the judgment satisfied. This is the two week period that an employee works and then is paid for. All rights reserved. (See: Attorney of Record). Prayer for a Jury Trial -- Request of a defendant in certain cases to be tried by a jury. and prior criminal record of the defendant and, in certain cases, a victim impact statement. Docket Number -- Case number; the designation assigned to each case filed in a particular court. April 24, 2023. Counsel -- A person who is admitted to practice in a court of law and gives legal advice. Default -- The failure to appear, to defend, or to follow proper procedure in a lawsuit. Witness -- One who testifies to what he has seen, heard, or otherwise observed and who is not necessarily a party to the action. Counter Complaint -- A claim filed by a defendant in a civil case against the plaintiff. The case type has also been changed to 'CRSCA.'. (See: Huger v. State, 285 Md. Consecutive Sentences -- Upon conviction of multiple counts/charges in one or more cases, sentences must be served one after the other, rather than at the same time (see: concurrent sentence). Initial Appearance -- The procedure by which an arrested defendant is promptly brought before a judicial officer who advises the defendant of the charges against him, his right to counsel, and his first day to appear in court and establishes conditions of pre-trial release. Sealed Record -- A record closed by a court to further inspection by anyone unless ordered by the court. Bail Bond -- A written obligation of a defendant, with or without a surety or collateral security, conditioned on the appearance of a defendant as required and providing for the payment of a penalty sum according to its terms; includes a surety bond posted by a surety insurer or bail bondsman and backed by the insurers pledge; a cash bond secured by deposited cash; a property bond secured by pledged personal property or a lien on real property; and/or an unsecured bond. Ecitation -- The electronic version of the MD Uniform Complaint and Citation (traffic citation). Attorney Information System (AIS) - Centralized Judiciary database for Attorney Information, Attorney of Record -- An attorney who represents a party and has entered an appearance in an action. Private Process Server -- An adult private person, not a party to a case, used to deliver a summons, subpoena, or other court order. Maryland Judiciary Case Search ("Case Search") is the primary way that the public may search for records of court cases. Contract --A written or verbal agreement for the exchange of goods or services between at least two parties. Search -- A written order by a judge directed to a peace officer and commanding him to search for and seize property as described therein. Costs -- Fees and charges required by law to be paid to the court, the amount of which is fixed by statute or court rule. Sequester -- Separate or isolate; for example, to separate witnesses from each other, to separate property from a party and place it in the custody of the court or a third person, etc. Appeal Bond -- A type of bond set by the court and filed by the appellant until the cause can be passed upon and disposed of by the superior court. For partial name searches, input at least the first character of the last name, followed by a % symbol. Most popular Court abbreviations updated in April 2023 . Crime -- A positive or negative act in violation of penal law; an offense against the state classified either as a felony or misdemeanor. Tort (Trans: twisted) -- An injury or damage to person/or property for which the person who caused the injury is legally responsible. Tracking Number -- The assigned 12-digit number that identifies the defendant and incident throughout criminal proceedings; the number identifies the year (first 2 digits), the origin of the charging document (next 4 digits), and the place of the charge(s) within the sequence of changes issued that year (last 6 digits). A disregard of, or disobedience to, the rules or orders of a judicial body or an interruption of its proceedings by disorderly behavior or insolent language. Circuit Court -- A trial court of general jurisdiction. Peace Order -- An emergency form of relief or an order available to individuals who are experiencing problems with another person, including someone in a dating relationship, a neighbor, or a stranger. On motion of the States Attorney, the court may indefinitely postpone trial of a charge by marking the charge stet on the docket. Motion -- A request to a court by one or more of the parties for a specific action in a case. Return -- The act of a sheriff, constable, or other ministerial officer in delivering back to the court a writ, notice, or other paper which he was required to serve or execute with a brief account of his doings under the mandate, the time and mode of service or execution or his failure to accomplish it, as the case may be. Use a % as a wildcard when searching in a field (Smith%) would give you all names that start with Smith, Smithson, Smithsburg, Smithman, etc. Complaint, Criminal -- A charge brought before a judicial officer that a person named has committed a specified offense. April 25, 2023. Case Law -- Decisions of federal and state courts interpreting and applying laws in specific fact situations; opinions are reported in various volumes. There are numerous codes (abbreviations) used by the clerks to identify events in a District Court case record. Bail -- A sum of money or other form of security given to the court in exchange for the release of the accused from custody and to guarantee that the accused will appear in court. For partial name searches, input at least the first character of the last name, followed by a % symbol. Waive/Waiver -- Giving up a legal right voluntarily, intentionally, and with full knowledge of the consequences. Surety Bond -- A bond posted by a surety insurer ensuring that the penalty sum will be paid if the conditions of the bond are not satisfied. Examination in Aid of Enforcement of Judgment -- A request by plaintiff (judgment creditor) to discover the assets of a defendant (judgment debtor) after entry of judgment. Felony -- A serious criminal offense, punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or death. Nuisance -- An action that interferes with the use of property by being irritating, offensive, obstructive or dangerous. Levy -- A setting aside of the defendants property made by the sheriff or constable; this property is placed in custody of law. Infraction (Civil) -- A violation of a statute, ordinance, or regulation for which the only penalty authorized is a civil fine. Case Law -- Decisions of federal and state courts interpreting and applying laws in specific fact situations; opinions are reported in various volumes. (See: Attorney of Record). (Compare Public, Sealed, or Confidential Record). Collateral Security -- Any property or money pledged or given to guarantee bail. For example, when the validity of the will is at issue, or the will is lost, stolen or damaged. Nolo Contendere (Trans: I will not contest it.) -- The name of a plea in a criminal action having the same legal effect as a plea of guilty so far as regards all proceedings in the case and on which the defendant may be sentenced. Suppress -- To stop, prohibit, prevent, subdue; with respect to evidence, to prevent its use by showing it was obtained illegally or is irrelevant. Crimes of Violence -- Maryland Law provides a definition for Crimes of Violence as they relate to mandatory sentences in certain crimes and crimes of violence relating to pistols and revolvers. Minor -- An individual under the age of 18 (eighteen) years. Presumption -- An inference of the truth or falsehood of a proposition or fact that stands until rebutted by evidence to the contrary. A verified final report is filed within 10 months from the date of appointment. Petitioner -- The person requesting the court's help. Schedule No.2330 Records Retention and Disposal Schedule for Maryland Circuit Courts Table of Contents 1) Background Introduction 2) Mandatory Minimum Retention Periods 3) Identification of Retention Period 4) Review and Sorting of Records 5) Destroying Non-Permanent Records 6 T ran sf er rin g Pe rm a ne nt R ec or ds to S ta te A rch iv Abbreviations Used in the Local Rules of Court, by Division. Eviction -- Action taken to legally dispossess a person of land or property. Wrongful Death -- A lawsuit brought by a decedents survivors for their damages resulting from a tortuous injury that caused the decedents death. On motion of the States Attorney, the court may indefinitely postpone trial of a charge by marking the charge stet on the docket. Burden of Proof -- The necessity of proving facts at issue in Maryland, the criminal burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt; the civil burden of proof is by a preponderance of the evidence, or sometimes by clear and convincing evidence.. Distress or Distraint -- Seizure; taking personal property out of the custody of a wrongdoer and into the custody of the party injured; for example, distress is a remedy for failure to pay rent. Summons -- A writ notifying the person named that an action has been filed against the person and Bail Bondsman -- The authorized agent of a surety insurer. The first name is not required. Show Cause -- A process directed to a person to appear in court and present reasons why a certain order, judgment, or decree should not be made final. Motion -- A request to a court by one or more of the parties for a specific action in a case. Case Codes for Circuit Court. Mediation -- A form of alternative dispute resolution in which a trained neutral person, a mediator, helps people in a dispute to communicate with one another, understand each other, and if possible, reach agreements that meet the participants needs. Counter Complaint -- A claim filed by a defendant in a civil case against the plaintiff. Venue -- The geographical division in which an action or prosecution may be brought for trial. (Compare Public, Sealed, or Shielded Records). Court -- Judge or body of judges whose task is to hear cases and administer justice. The purpose of this bond is to assure that the appellant will prosecute his appeal and will appear in court. Common Law -- That body of law that was originated in England and was brought to the United States. (Also known as Reconsideration). Private Process Server -- An adult private person, not a party to a case, used to deliver a summons, subpoena, or other court order. True Copy Test -- A copy of a court document given under the clerks seal, but not certified. Fine -- A sum of money a person must pay as punishment because of an illegal act or omission. Terms of Use/Disclaimer. A person so served becomes a third-party defendant. Vulnerable Adult -- Adult who is physically or mentally incapable of providing for his/her daily needs. Habeas Corpus (Trans: you have the body) -- A writ which brings a person before a court. Custodia Legis -- In the custody of the law; property that has been lawfully taken, by authority of legal process, and remains in the possession of a public officer or an officer of a court empowered by law to hold the property. and prior criminal record of the defendant and, in certain cases, a victim impact statement. Marital Property -- The property, however titled, acquired by one or both parties during the marriage. Affidavit -- A written statement the contents of which are affirmed to be true under the penalties of perjury. Writ of Garnishment of Property -- An order of court commanding that a defendants assets be seized and the money paid to the plaintiff to satisfy a judgment. Tenant Holding Over (THO) -- A landlord-tenant action filed by the lessor to repossess certain leased premises which the tenant has not vacated after notice. Bail Bond Forfeiture -- The failure to satisfy the condition of the bond, namely the appearance in court as required, causing the full penalty amount to become due.