What is the difference beteween District Court and Circuit Court in Maryland?

Question

Would like to know the difference of the two

Answer 1

Usually, in a city you will have a Municipal Court and that court hears certain crimes like speeding, DWI, trash violations. A District Court hears appeals from lower courts and the more severe crimes like murder, rape, forgery, child abuse etc. They also hear civil cases like divorce and bankruptcy. A Circuit Court is an "appeals court" - they do not retry your case - but you can appeal the finding of your case based on an alleged violation of the State Constitution. For example, the judge allowed testimony into the trial that was hearsay and therefor inadmissible. The judge reviews and rules on that challenged portion and can agree with you and dismiss your case, find that your challenge is not a valid one or send the case back for retrial.