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Government of Maryland

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The Government of Maryland is guarded by the Constitution of Maryland. Maryland became a 7th state of the United States on April 28, 1788[1]. The government of Maryland is divided into three distinct branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch. Annapolis is the state capital, where most of the important business of government takes place.

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Maryland Executive Branch


There are 5 main executive officers, appointed by the Constitution of Maryland. The executive officers include the governor, lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the comptroller and the treasurer. All except the treasurer are elected through state-wide election while the treasurer is elected jointly through resolution by both houses of the General Assembly.

The Constitutionally elected Officers of Maryland Executive branch include-

  • Governor
  • Lieutenant Governor
  • Attorney General
  • Comptroller
  • State Treasurer

The Governor of Maryland is elected by Maryland gubernatorial election held every four years. The governor leads the executive branch of Maryland. Under the Constitution of Maryland-

  • The governor can exercise his/her executive power and functions as the Chief of the state military reserve and the National Guard.

  • The governor of Alabama also has the unilateral power to forbid the law enacted by the state legislature, power to appoint judges and also may propose a state budget.

  • The governor has the power to appoint or evict almost all civil and military state officers with the consent and resolution of the Senate. He/she may appoint the heads of state government’s major boards, departments and commissions of the State government, certain county commissions and boards, officers in the Attorney General’s and Comptroller’s offices and also officials of the general assembly.

  • He/she can exercise some judiciary power to a limit that he can excuse convicted criminals except in the cases when an official is convicted of unlawful activities or involving impeachment.

Contact Details of the Governor of Maryland:Executive section
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland
21401-1925
Phone:
410-974-3901
1-800-811-8336
MD Relay 1-800-735-2258
Website: http://governor.maryland.gov/governor-larry-hogan/

The Lieutenant Governor of Maryland is the state's 2nd highest-ranking official, next to the governor. The Lieutenant Governor takes up the responsibilities of the governor in his/her absence.

Contact Details of the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland:
100 State Circle,
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 974-3901
Website: http://governor.maryland.gov/ltgovernor

Contact Details of the Other Elected Officials:


Office of the Attorney General:

The Attorney General of the State of New York is the highest ranking law enforcement officer for the state. He/she is the head of the Department of Law, and is regarded as the State's chief legal officer.


Office of the Comptroller of Maryland

The Comptroller is the State’s chief fiscal officer and he/she has the responsibility to ensure that tax payers' money is used effectively and genuinely by the State and local governments for the upliftment of the state.

80 Calvert Street
P.O. Box 466
Annapolis, MD 21404-0466
Phone:
Website: http://www.marylandtaxes.com/


Office of the Treasurer of Maryland:

The State Treasurer is the guardian of the money of the state. The office of the State Treasurer manages budget, debt and financial administration of the state.

Goldstein Treasury Building
80 Calvert Street
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone: 1.800.974.0468
Website: http://www.treasurer.state.md.us/homepage.aspx

Maryland Legislative Branch


Maryland State Legislative branch is the body of the state government of Maryland and is also known as the General Assembly. It is divided into two separate bodies, namely Maryland House of Delegates and Maryland Senate. Each state's legislative district appoints 1 senator and 3 delegates. Members of both the senate and the House of Delegates may serve four-year terms. The Maryland state legislature is the law making and supervising body of the state. The first process in the functioning of the legislature is the bill drafting. During the process, the bills undergo two to three readings and once approved by both the Houses, the bill is forwarded to the governor and it may be either signed or annulled. The two legislatures meet in the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis.

Learn more: Maryland General Assembly Legislative section

The Maryland House of Delegates consists of 141 members and is the lower house of the state legislature [1]. The Maryland House of representatives is led by the speaker of the house. The speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the assembly who is elected by the majority party members of the house through a House resolution. The Speaker delegates the duty to the members of the house and manages all the legislative committee assignments.

The Maryland Senate is the upper house of the state legislature and consists of 47 state senators . The Senate has the power to approve or reject certain appointees of the state cabinet and boards. The President of the senate has the duty to appoint chairs and members of 6 standing committees, 4 legislative committees, and the Rule Committees and the Executive Nominations. The president pro tempore is the second in rank to preside over the senate who is elected by the members of the senate through a majority voting system.

Contact Details of the State House:
100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401-1925
Phone:
410-946-5400 or 301-970-5400
Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 5400
Website: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frm1st.aspx?tab=home

Maryland Judicial Branch


Under the Constitution of Maryland, the Judicial branch applies and interprets laws and regulations to ensure justice in the state. The judicial system of Maryland is served by numerous efficient professionally trained judges and is the largest in the United States. The Maryland Court system comprises of the Court of Appeals, the Court of Special Appeals, Circuit Courts and District Courts.

Contact Maryland Judicial Branch:Judicial
Robert C. Murphy Curts of Appeal Building
361 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, Md 21401
410-260-1500 • 800-926-2583 • Tty 410-260-1554
Hours Of Operation: 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Learn more: Maryland Courts

Maryland Court of Appeals


The Maryland Court of Appeals is the court of highest appeal or the supreme court of the state. The court comprises of 1 chief judge and 6 associate judges. The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals is the constitutional administrative head of the Maryland judicial system.

The court under its own discretion, selects cases to be heard. However, it is mandatory that the court hear cases related to death penalty, eviction of certain officers, legislative redistriction and certifications of questions of law.

Court of Appeals Clerk's Office: 410-260-1500

Maryland Court of Special Appeals


The Maryland Court of Special Appeals is the court of intermediate appeal. The Maryland Court of Special Appeals was established in 1966 and originally had legal power over criminal cases only. Later, its jurisdiction increases and now it handles any reviewable judgment of the orphans and circuit's courts if not offered by law. All cases on the Court of Special Appeals are heard and decided in panels of 3 judges. While there is certain special hearing called an en banc hearing, in which all 15 judges may hear the case.

Court of Special Appeals Clerk's Office: 410-260-1450

Contact details of the judges

Maryland Circuit Courts


Circuit Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction, where jury trials take place. Circuit Courts generally hears cases involving major civil cases and more severe criminal cases, such as juvenile case, domestic violence cases, estate and probates cases, and family law cases (divorce, child support and custody). The Circuit Courts handle cases mostly forwarded from the District Court, certain administrative agencies and orphans’ courts.


Circuit Courts are categorized in 8 judicial circuits, as follows-

  • 1st Judicial Circuit: Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester counties
  • 2nd Judicial Circuit: Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's & Talbot counties
  • 3rd Judicial Circuit: Baltimore County & Harford County
  • 4th Judicial Circuit: Allegany, Garrett & Washington counties
  • 5th Judicial Circuit: Anne Arundel, Carroll & Howard counties
  • 6th Judicial Circuit: Frederick & Montgomery counties
  • 7th Judicial Circuit: Calvert, Charles, Prince George's & St Mary's counties
  • 8th Judicial Circuit: Baltimore City

Maryland District Courts


The Maryland District Court has their legal power in minor criminal and civil cases, and all Motor Vehicle Law violations. The court hears cases involving landlord-tenant cases, traffic violations, replevin actions, misdemeanors and other felonies. The District Court also has legal power over civil cases in which the amount in dispute is $5,000 or less, and concurrent jurisdiction for a sum of above $5,000 but less than $30,000. The court operates in each county of the state and also in Baltimore city. In criminal cases, such as felonies and misdemeanors in which the punishment may involve a penalty of $2,500 or more or confinement of 3 years or more, the District Court's jurisdiction is simultaneous with that of the circuit court. No jury trials are conducted in the District Court. The Governor appoints the judges of the district Court for 10-year terms, after confirmation and resolution with the senate.

The District Court of Maryland is categorized based on 12 geographical districts, namely-

  • District 1: Baltimore City
  • District 2: Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester counties
  • District 3: Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's & Talbot countiescourts
  • District 4: Calvert, Charles & St. Mary's counties
  • District 5: Prince George's County
  • District 6: Montgomery County
  • District 7: Anne Arundel County
  • District 8: Baltimore County
  • District 9: Harford County
  • District 10: Carroll & Howard counties
  • District 11: Frederick & Washington counties
  • District 12: Allegany & Garrett counties

Maryland State Departments


Under the leadership of the governor of Maryland, many state agencies operate to manage and administer various departments of the state. The departments work concurrently with the state executive branch to assist the working of the various sectors of the state. The main state departments of Maryland include-

Maryland State Department of Education


The Maryland State Department of Education supervises and manages the workings of all schools, and higher education institutions in the state. The department also superintends the state tests and examinations. The department’s mission is to provide world class education and best values to the students to ensure success in education, workplace and in every spheres of life.

Contact Details:
200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore,
MD 21201-2595
Phone: 410-767-0100 • 1-888-246-0016
Website: http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene


The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene work efficiently to improve the health and living standards of the community by implementing many health regulating services and policies. The health department also has its sub divisions which provide all vital records and health statistics of the state. The health department also focuses on community and environmental health so that people lives a healthy life.

Contact Details:
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
201 W. Preston Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Phone: 410-767-6500
Toll Free: 1-877-4MD-DHMH (1-877-463-3464)
E-mail: dhmh.healthmd@maryland.gov
Website: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/data/SitePages/Home.aspx

Maryland Department of Transportation


The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) oversees roads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and airways in the U.S. state of New York. The department administers and manages the state’s highways, freeways, railways, airports, hospital heliports and implement primary programs to improve accessibility and convenient mobility with cities across New York and also with neighboring states.

  • Maryland Transportation Authority (Transportation Secretary serves as Chairman of the Maryland Transportation Authority)
  • Maryland Port Administration
  • Maryland Transit Administration
  • Maryland Aviation Administration
  • State Highway Administration
  • Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

Contact Details:
7201 Corporate Center Drive, Hanover
Maryland 21076
Phone: (410) 865-1000
Toll Free 1-888-713-1414
Maryland Relay TTY 1-800-735-2258
Website: http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/

Maryland Department of Agriculture


The Maryland Department of Agriculture oversees the entire agricultural activities of the state. MDA operates to provide services that preserve and safeguard agricultural and environmental resources. The department has its objectives to promote fruitful agriculture and consumer relationship. MDA has its headquarter in the Parole census-designated place, in Anne Arundel County. The Marketing Division is functioning diligently to establish flourishing marketing advantages for the state's farmers and agricultural producers in local, national, and international markets.

Contact Details:
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis
MD 21401
Phone: (410) 841-5700
Website: http://mda.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Maryland Military Department


The Maryland Military Department is devoted to safeguard the citizens of state and provides several facilities and services through community level, state level and federal level missions. The department consists of the Army and Air National Guard, the division of Emergency and Facilities Management, and Defense Force. The Maryland Army and Air National Guard with the unique capabilities, provide military forces and efficient services to execute community, state and federal missions. The division of Emergency and Facilities Management operate diligently to manage all emergency services and minimizes all disastrous consequences to people and property. Additionally, the division of state activities manages daily business operations, finance, public affairs and human resources activities. The Military Department is led by the Adjutant General and all powers and duties are exercised under the Militia Law of Maryland.

Contact Details:
5th Regiment Armory
29th Division Street
Baltimore MD 21201
Phone: (410) 576-6000
Website: http://www.mdmildep.org/index.html




References:


  1. Maryland Statehood
  2. Maryland House of Delegates
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