Circuit Court Offices
- Court Administration -
Room M2407; (301) 952-3708
Under the direction of the County Administrative Judge, the Court Administrator is responsible for all Circuit Court-wide administrative functions, including automation support, personnel services, budget preparation and management, purchasing, maintenance, and public information services. Court Administration also acts as primary liaison between the Circuit Court and other government offices and community groups.
- Law Library -
Room M1400 (Atrium, Marbury Wing); (301) 952-3438
The Law Library provides reference and legal information services to judges, members of the bar, state and county employees, and Prince George's County residents. The collection is for reference only and does not circulate. The Law Library maintains numerous standard references and serial subscriptions, and it provides access to several computer-assisted legal research services. Its reference facilities are extended through close cooperation with the Prince George's County Memorial Library System and other law libraries in the area.
- Family Division -
M0415; 301-780-8000
The Domestic Relations Section of the Family Division consists of six Masters and two Circuit Court judges. The Masters hear uncontested divorces, annulments, and paternity actions and contested matters regarding the custody of children, alimony, child support, visitation, division of personal property, enforcement of marital separation agreements, and other issues. The Masters also hear pendente lite requests (requests for relief until the merits of the case can be heard), as well as child support contempt (non-compliance) issues. Each recommendation by a Domestic Relations Master is reviewed and (if there is no exception taken) signed by a Circuit Court judge. Hearings on more complex cases that will take longer than three hours are scheduled before a judge. The Domestic Relations Section of the Family Division has associated support services including an information and referral center, staff to provide limited free legal assistance, and clinical assessment services to assist in judicial decision-making an d link families to community resources.
The Juvenile Section of the Family Division consists of one master and one judge. The Master conducts juvenile delinquency arraignments, detention, and restitution hearings, and hearings for children in need of assistance (dependent and neglected children). The judge is responsible for hearing issues under a judge's jurisdiction and those matters not delegated to the master, reviewing exceptions to the recommendations of the master, and issuing all citations for contempt.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution -
Room M0423; 301-952-4533
The office for Mediation Services and ADR Referrals directly provides or coordinates access to various services to assist the court in making decisions. These services include Mediation, where there are disputed issues of custody and visitation, and the Mental Hygiene Consultation Service, where there appear to be relevant mental health issues.
Mediation is a process in which an impartial third party mediator, whose qualifications are certified by the court, assists separated and/or divorcing parents in determining together their own terms governing their future parenting rights and responsibilities for the benefit of their children. Research has found that there is a greater commitment by the parties to agreements reached through mediation and much greater compliance with them, as well as decreased parental conflict and increased parent-child contact in the post-separation/ divorce years.
The Mental Hygiene Consultation Service is utilized through court order. Clinical evaluations are conducted with involved parties, usually in family law cases or criminal matters. The service forwards a detailed written report to the Bench with recommendations addressing the issues at hand.
- Bail Bond Commissioner -
Room M2407; (301) 952-4754; (301) 952-3985 (after 5:30 p.m.)
The Bail Bond Commissioner oversees and administers the bail bonding activities of licensed bail bondsmen and surety companies operating in Prince George's County and elsewhere in the Seventh Circuit. To meet the expenses of the office, the Bail Bond Commissioner is authorized to levy a fee against each bail bond written. The Commissioner collects these fees and all absolute Circuit Court bond forfeitures involving licensed bondsmen or surety company.
- Calendar Management -
Room M2406; Civil (301)952-2976, Adult (301)952-2944, Juvenile (301)952-2885, Family (301)952-2768
The Calendar Management Office is responsible for the daily scheduling of all Circuit Court proceedings. Contact this office to verify a scheduled court date. To request a continuance of an existing court date, you must file a written motion in the case with copies to all other parties. This motion will be reviewed by a judge who will decide whether to set a new hearing date.
- Drug Court Division -
Suite 319 A, Annex Building 14701 Governor Oden Bowie Drive Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 (301) 952-2780
Drug courts represent the combined efforts of justice and treatment professionals to actively intervene and break the cycle of substance abuse, addiction, crime, delinquency, and child maltreatment. These special dockets are given the responsibility to handle cases involving addicted citizens under the adult, juvenile, family, and tribal justice systems.
In this blending of justice, treatment, and social service systems, the drug court participant undergoes an intensive regiment of substance abuse treatment, case management, drug testing, supervision and monitoring, and immediate sanctions and incentives while reporting to regularly scheduled status hearings before a judge with expertise in the drug court model. In addition, drug courts increase the probability of participants’ success by providing ancillary services such as mental health treatment, trauma and family therapy, and job skills training. The Prince George’s County Circuit Court has two programs under the division, Adult Drug Court and Juvenile Drug Court. Each program has its own coordinator.
Drug Court Division Mission Statement:
The Prince Georges County Drug Court Division wishes to be known for creating model programs dedicated to meeting the treatment needs of the people we serve using a therapeutic approach while ensuring individual accountability. We strive in partnership with the Prince Georges County community, to become the creative comprehensive program of treatment services in the criminal justice system. We emphasize maintaining a responsive, effective and well-coordinated continuum of care. We promote a respect for the dignity of our clients and staff. We are committed to professional excellence, integrity and improvement in all we do.
Partnerships for Both Programs:
- State’s Attorney’s Office
- Office of the Public Defender
- Prince George’s County Health Department
- Office of the Sherriff
- Department of Juvenile Services
- Department of Corrections
Referral Process For Both Programs:
All referral forms must be completed by an attorney and or referring agency, and faxed to the following:
Adult Drug Court: Stephanie D’Amato / Fax: 301-952-4550
Adult Drug Court Referral (PDF)
Adult Drug Court Referral (Online Form)
Juvenile Drug Court: Kimberly Short / Fax: 301-627-0158
Juvenile Drug Court Referrals (PDF)
Juvenile Drug Court Referral (Online Form)
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