A Complete Guide to the
Harford County District Court
By discussing legal matters with attorneys from Scrofano Law, PC, you may feel better about attending Harford County District Court. Book a consultation today.
What Is the Harford County District Court?
The Harford County District Court is a first-level state trial court with criminal and civil jurisdiction over different kinds of cases. Various kinds of cases are handled by the Harford County District Court, including traffic tickets, family law disputes, and criminal charges. The District Court also handles preliminary hearings for serious criminal cases for which the circuit court has primary jurisdiction.
Located in Bel Air Maryland, this court is an important component of the state court system. If you’re facing criminal charges in Harford County, Maryland, there’s a good chance that your case will be heard there. In that case, it is important that you understand how the court works to make things easier as you navigate the system.
The information provided here can guide you and help you get familiar with the court’s processes as you prepare for your criminal trial. Read on to learn more about this district court and how a Maryland attorney might assist you.
The Criminal Jurisdiction of the Harford County MD District Court
The Harford County District Court administers MD criminal law and has jurisdiction to hear and determine criminal cases involving bail, motor vehicle violations, misdemeanors, and certain felonies.
In some cases, the district and circuit courts share equal trial jurisdiction over criminal cases. This concurrent jurisdiction applies to criminal cases where penalties include confinement for a minimum of three years or a minimum fine of $2500.
Also, if you’re facing harassment or abuse and need protection from your abuser, the Harford County District Court can issue a protective order in your favor.
How to Contact the Court
The Harford County courthouse is located at 2 South Bond St, Suite 100, Bel Air, MD 21014-3737. The court operates from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday, except for legal holidays.
You can also call the court at 410-836-4545 for general information.
Harford County District Court Trials
District courts in Maryland do not conduct jury trials, so only the district court judge can determine your fate in a criminal trial.
The best way to prepare your case with the help of a skilled criminal defense lawyer in Maryland is to hire one as soon as possible.
Accessing the Harford County District Court Docket
The court publishes its docket on its website. The docket includes a case schedule for cases that are coming up within the next week. It is updated every Friday afternoon in preparation for the following week, and it is a reliable resource for your case information unless last-minute changes occur.
So if your case is coming up for a hearing and you need clarification on the date or any other detail, you can look through the court’s weekly docket to verify the necessary details.
How to Access Case Records at the Harford County District Court
Generally, court records in Maryland are open to the public. This means that anyone can access court case records even if they were not involved in the case unless the case subject matter is restricted by law.
You can access court records for cases decided at the Harford district court by visiting the clerk’s office and providing the case number for the file you wish to view. If you do not have the case number, the clerk can help you if you know the names of the parties involved.
You can make copies of the documents in the case file you access. However, you’ll need to pay the prescribed fee. To save time, you can contact the court beforehand using the phone number provided earlier to verify that the record you seek can be found there and how much it would cost to copy it.
Alternatively, you can search for court records using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search online platform. This option is appropriate when you only need general information on a case, such as a case number or the type of case. If you need more information on a case, visiting the court and viewing the case file in person is your best bet.
How an Attorney Can Help
Many people whose cases are pending at the Harford County District Court often choose to represent themselves in court. While this approach may fly in civil cases, it might not be appropriate when you’re dealing with a criminal charge.
With criminal charges, the stakes are higher, and if you get convicted, you could be sent to jail. Your conviction also becomes part of your public record and can be seen by prospective employers or anyone else who conducts a background check on you. This could deprive you of opportunities that you ordinarily deserve.
So, no matter how minor a criminal charge might seem, it is important to defend yourself in court. Unless you have criminal defense experience, it might be challenging to pull this off on your own, and you might need to secure the services of a criminal defense attorney who understands how the court works.
Your attorney can represent you and give you the required guidance to help you navigate the district court judicial system and improve your chances before the judge.
Going it alone may appear straightforward, but working with a lawyer for your Maryland criminal case would serve your interests better.
Scrofano Law Can Help With Your Harford County District Court Criminal Case
If you have further questions about your criminal case at the Harford County District Court, you can contact us at Scrofano Law.
At our law firm, we understand the challenges that come with criminal trials, and our goal is to ease your stress and help you determine the appropriate course of action and possible defenses for your case.
Contact us as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation and get the necessary answers and legal representation. We are here to support you as you take the first step toward securing your future.
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