Beyond these items and other obligations for certain State debts and the salaries of officials specified in the Constitution, the Governor has considerable discretion in determining what programs and agencies to fund in the budget. The budget process thus is a major policy-shaping tool for the Governor. Supplemental budgets may be submitted by the Governor after adoption of the annual budget, but all requests for such funds must be matched by additional anticipated revenues. Photo by Diane F. Evartt. The Judicial Branch is responsible for the resolution of all matters involving civil and criminal law in the State of Maryland.
Judges base their decisions on statutory law, common law, or equity.
Maryland has a four-tiered court system consisting of the District Court of Maryland , Circuit Courts , the Court of Special Appeals , and the Court of Appeals . The District Court of Maryland was created in 1971 on a statewide basis in each county and Baltimore City. As a court of limited jurisdiction, it replaced local justices of the peace and county trial magistrates. District Courts have jurisdiction in minor civil and criminal matters and in virtually all violations of the Motor Vehicle Law. District Court judges are appointed by the Governor for ten-year terms.