![[photo, Harford County Courthouse, 20 West Courtland St., Bel Air, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/ha/images/1198-1-1024.jpg)
For the counties, Circuit Courts were established to succeed the County Courts in 1851 (Constitution of 1851, Art. IV, secs. 8, 9).
In 1776, Maryland's first constitution authorized County Court justices to appoint clerks for their respective courts (Constitution of 1776, sec. 47). By 1836, the Governor was empowered to name county court clerks to seven-year terms (Chapter 224, Acts of 1836, confirmed by Chapter 160, Acts of 1837).
When Circuit Courts were established to succeed the County Courts in 1851, provision was made for a clerk to serve the court in each county (Constitution of 1851, Art. IV, sec. 14). The Constitution of 1851 also provided that the voters would elect the Clerk to a six-year term. In 1926, the Clerk's term was shortened to four years (Const., Art. XVII, added by Chapter 227, Acts of 1922, ratified Nov. 7, 1922; Const., Art. IV, sec. 25).
Today, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is elected by the voters to a four-year term (Chapter 99, Acts of 1956, ratified Nov. 6, 1956; Const., Art. IV, secs. 25-26; Code Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, secs. 2-201 through 2-213).
For the public, the Circuit Court Clerk performs certain court duties, such as filing, docketing, and maintaining legal records; recording documents that involve title to real estate; and collecting the fees, commissions, and taxes related to these functions. The Clerk also issues certain licenses. In this process, the Clerk's Office collects and distributes funds on behalf of the State, and Harford County and its municipalities.
Operating expenses for the Clerk's Office primarily come from State General Funds, and certain support services, such as payroll and invoice processing and maintenance of budgetary accounting records, are provided by the Adminstrative Office of the Courts.
COURT ADMINISTRATION
COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA) FOR CHILDREN
CASA advocates speak up for children in court to assure that they have the best chance to find a permanent and loving home as quickly as possible. Since its inception, CASA of Harford County has provided advocates for over 800 children.
OFFICE OF FAMILY COURT SERVICES
Those eligible for services must have limited income or demonstrated financial hardship.
Each parent’s income is screened by the Family Law Case Coordinator to determine if they are eligible to be referred to the Office of Family Court Services. Should the Court determine that the parties are able to pay the cost for service, they are referred to a private service provider approved by the Court.
FAMILY LAW SELF-HELP CENTER
The Center is funded through a grant from the Department of Juvenile and Family Services of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
JURY SERVICES
Serving on a jury is part of the responsibility of being a citizen. The Declaration of Rights, part of the Maryland Constitution, makes provision for juries (Articles 5, 21, 23), as does State Law (Code Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, secs. 8-101 through 8-507).
Grand Jury. A grand jury evaluates the State’s Attorney's evidence against a person, and decides whether there is probable cause for a criminal charge. This process protects the accused and the public from unwarranted prosecution. It forces the State to show that it is seeking a conviction based on more than rumor or speculation. Prosecuted by the State's Attorney, criminal cases are brought by the State against one or more people accused of committing a crime. The person accused of the crime is the defendant. The State must prove "beyond a reasonable doubt" that the defendant committed the alleged crime.
A grand jury is a group of up to 23 people who are called together to receive and hear evidence to determine whether probable cause exists to charge someone with a crime, and to conduct certain investigations.
Trial Jury. A trial jury listens to evidence in a courtroom, and decides the guilt or innocence of a defendant in a criminal case, or the liability and damages of parties in a civil case. Civil cases are disputes between private individuals, corporations, governments, government agencies, or other organizations. Usually, the party that brings the suit (the plaintiff) asks for money damages for some wrong alleged to have been done by the defendant.
A trial jury is generally made up of twelve people for criminal cases, and six for civil cases.
SHERIFF
By 1851, while the qualifications for office remained almost the same, the property requirement was removed, and a two-year term was adopted. Also, provision was made for Baltimore City to have a sheriff. Anyone interested in becoming sheriff had to have been a citizen of the State for the five years preceding the election (Constitution of 1851, Art. IV, sec. 20).
With the Constitution of 1864, for the first time, voters began to directly elect one sheriff for each county and Baltimore City. To qualify for office, the minimum age was raised to at least twenty-five (Constitution of 1864, Art. IV, sec. 49).
The Constitution of 1867 did not alter the requirements of office (Const. of 1867, Art. IV, sec. 44). By constitutional amendment in 1922, the term of office was lengthened to four years (Chapter 227, Acts of 1922, ratified Nov. 7, 1922; Const., Art. XVII, sec. 7).
An officer of the Circuit Court, the Sheriff is elected by the voters to a four-year term. To be eligible for the office of Sheriff, a person must be at least twenty-five years of age and must have been a County resident for at least five years immediately preceding election (Const., Art. IV, sec. 44; Code Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, secs. 2-301 through 2-311).
Since Harford County does not have a county police force, the Office of Sheriff functions as the law enforcement agency of the County. The Office serves the unincorporated parts of the County; supports municipal law enforcement units; provides security and other support for the courts; and maintains the County jail or detention center.
By memorandum of understanding of October 26, 2016, the County Sheriff's Office has agreed to perform certain functions of immigration officers for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Participating Sheriff's Office personnel are subject to ICE supervision while performing immigration-related duties pursuant to the memorandum of understanding (Immigration & Nationality Act, as amended, sec. 287(g)).
Under the Sheriff are three bureaus: Correctional Services, Police Operations, and Services and Support. The Office of Sheriff also is aided by the Police Commission.
Chaired by the Sheriff, the Commission includes the chiefs of police of Aberdeen, Bel Air, and Havre de Grace; and the commanding officer of the Bel Air Barracks (County Code, Art. III, secs. 9-8 through 9-11).
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES BUREAU [DETENTION CENTER]
Under the Bureau are two divisions: Operations, and Support Services.
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
POLICE OPERATIONS BUREAU
SERVICES & SUPPORT BUREAU
The Animal Control Services Unit formerly was the Animal Control Services Division under the Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits. In June 2015, the Division transferred as a unit to the Services and Support Bureau under the Office of Sheriff.
Nine members constitute the Commission. Five members are appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent to four-year terms. Serving ex officio are the Director of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits; the Chief of Animal Control Services; the Director of the Human Society of Harford County, Inc.; and a representative of the County Health Department. The County Executive names the Chair (County Code, secs. 9-174, 9-175).
Small claims (civil cases involving amounts not exceeding $5,000) also come under the jurisdiction of the District Court. In civil cases involving amounts over $5,000 (but not exceeding $30,000), the District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts.
Since the District Court provides no juries, a person entitled to and electing a jury trial must proceed to the Circuit Court (Code Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, secs. 1-601 through 1-608, 2-601 through 2-607, 4-101 through 4-405, 6-403, 7-301, 7-302, 9-201, 11-402, 11-701 through 11-703, 12-401 through 12-404; Code Criminal Procedure Article, sec. 6-101; Code Family Law Article, secs. 4-501 through 4-510).
District Court judges are appointed to ten-year terms, by the Governor with Senate consent. They do not stand for election (Const., Art. IV, sec. 41D).
The District Court is aided by the Adult Opiate Recovery Court, and the Mental Health Court.
The Adult Opiate Recovery Court is the first court in the State designed specifically for people facing opioid-related criminal charges. A four-phase, twelve-month program, the Court helps participants obtain the services they need to overcome drug dependency. It is an alternative to traditional incarceration for drug offenses, and provides court-managed drug treatment and monitoring, as well as medication and counseling.
MENTAL HEALTH COURT
The Court is a pre-adjudication program. Participants are those arrested for misdemeanors who have been detained or released on their own recognizance prior to their first court appearance. The aim of the Court is to reduce the frequency of participants' contact with the criminal justice system by providing judicial supervision to improve their functioning in the community through employment, housing, treatment, and support services. If approved, defendants have their charges postponed while they take part in the program.
ADMINISTRATION
Upon recommendation of the District Administrative Judge, the Chief Judge of the District Court appoints the Administrative Clerk (Const., Art. IV, sec. 41F).
COMMISSIONERS
Commissioners in a district are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the District Administrative Judge, with approval of the Chief Judge of the District Court (Const., Art. IV, sec. 41(a)(2); Code Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, secs. 2-602, 2-607).
The Orphans' Court supervises the handling of estates of people who have died (with or without a will) while owning property in their sole name. The Court also has jurisdiction over guardianships of minors
Fountain before Harford County Courthouse, 20 West Courtland St., Bel Air, Maryland, March 2005. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
While in most Maryland counties a separate Orphans' Court oversees probate, in Harford County, Circuit Court judges sit as an orphans' court (Chapter 374, Acts of 1972, ratified Nov. 7, 1972; Const., Art. IV, sec. 40; Code Estates & Trusts Article, secs. 2-101 through 2-303).
REGISTER OF WILLS
The Register of Wills serves as clerk to the Orphans' Court, overseeing the administration of decedents' estates, and providing assistance (such as providing proper forms) to persons administering those estates. The Register also collects inheritance taxes and other fees. Inheritance tax collections (less the commissions earned on those collections) are remitted to the State's General Fund.
Certain support services, such as payroll, maintenance of accounting records, and related fiscal functions, are provided to the Register of Wills by the Comptroller of Maryland.
Elected by the voters, the Register serves a four-year term (Const., Art. IV, sec. 41; Code Estates & Trusts Article, secs. 2-201 through 2-212).
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For the Circuit Court, the Court Administrator oversees the Community Work Service Program, Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children, the Office of Family Court Services, the Family Law Self-Help Center, Jury Services, and the Law Library.
COMMUNITY WORK SERVICE PROGRAM
The Community Work Service Program provides an alternative to traditional sanctions for the court system in Harford County. By serving their community through activity and engagement, offenders are held accountable for their actions while providing meaningful service to the County. The community benefits from the work performed while avoiding the cost of incarceration and allowing individuals to continue to meet their personal and family obligations. The intent is to rehabilitate, educate, and enrich offenders through the work they perform, and return them to the community as responsible and productive citizens.
Launched in 1995, Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children is a program that trains citizens to advocate for the best interest of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Often, these children go through foster care and the court system without the benefit of an advocate.
The Office of Family Court Services provides support services to eligible families who have an open court case in the County Circuit Court. These cases primarily concern child custody and visitation. They do not involve child support.The Office identifies, supports, and promotes the needs of the children in the delivery of its services.
In matters of divorce, custody and visitation, child support, domestic violence petitions, and name changes, the Family Law Self-Help Center provides legal information and forms for filing in the Circuit Court to litigants who do not have an attorney to represent them. Before forms are filed, staff of the Center can review them to check for accuracy and completeness to avoid delays in processing due to errors or missing information that the person filing may not have caught. Staff also can advise on what subsequent legal steps may need to be taken.
For grand juries and trial juries, Jury Services is responsible for providing qualified prospective jurors. The Jury Commissioner coordinates jury management; maintains and monitors the jury summons process; and schedules jurors for Circuit Court appearances.
Under Maryland's first State Consitutiton of 1776, two sheriffs were to be elected in each county by the voters. One of these would be commissioned as Sheriff by the Governor to serve a three-year term. In the event of death, removal, or other incapacity of the incumbant, the "second" sheriff could replace him. At that time, to be eligible for the office of Sheriff, a person had to have been at least twenty-one years of age, a County resident, and a holder of real and personal property valued at one thousand pounds current money (Constitution of 1776, sec. 42).
POLICE COMMISSION
The Police Commission makes recommendations to the County, State, and municipalities on improvements for law enforcement and police protection in Harford County.
The Correctional Services Bureau is responsible for the County's Detention Center. Opened in 1973, the Center can hold 762 inmates.
OPERATIONS DIVISION
Operations Division began as the Security Operations Division, and adopted its present name in March 2021.
Support Services Division began as the Support Operations Division, and adopted its present name in March 2021.
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION
ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES UNIT
In cooperation with the Humane Society of Harford County, Inc., and the County Health Department, the Animal Control Services Unit is responsible for enforcing the animal control laws of the County Code. Animal control officers respond to reports of animal abuse or misuse, and dead, at-large, wild or nuisance animals. Dog licenses may be obtained through offices of the Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits (County Code, secs. 64-1 through 64-30).
ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMISSION
The Animal Control Advisory Commission hears allegations regarding animal abuse, mishandling, or other animal-related violations of the County Code. The Commission also hears appeals relating to license denials for pet shops or kennels by the Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits.
![[photo, District Court Building, Mary E. W. Risteau Multi-Service Center, 2 South Bond St., Bel Air, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/ha/images/1198-1-1032.jpg)
DISTRICT COURT
The District Court of Maryland began operating as a court of record in July 1971. It had been created by constitutional amendment in 1970 (Chapter 789, Acts of 1969, ratified Nov. 3, 1970; Const., Art. IV, secs. 41A through 41-I). In Harford County, the Court replaced the county trial magistrates.
District Court Building, Mary E. W. Risteau Multi-Service Center, 2 South Bond St., Bel Air, Maryland, March 2005. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
In minor civil and criminal matters, and in virtually all violations of the Motor Vehicle Law (Code Transportation Article, Titles II-27), the District Court has jurisdiction. The exclusive jurisdiction of the District Court generally includes all landlord and tenant cases; replevin actions; motor vehicle violations; and criminal cases if the penalty is less than three years imprisonment or does not exceed a fine of $2,500, or both. The District Court has concurrent jurisdiction in misdemeanors and certain enumerated felonies, but has little equity jurisdiction.
ADULT OPIATE RECOVERY COURT
In Harford County, the Adult Opiate Recovery Court originated in November 1997 as the Adult Drug Court. That court was replaced in February 2017 by the Adult Opiate Recovery Court.
Under the District Court, the Mental Health Court started in Harford County in 2004.
The Administrative Clerk in each district maintains and operates the clerical staff and work within the district, including dockets, records, and all necessary papers (Code Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, secs. 2-603).
District commissioners issue arrest warrants, and set bail or collateral.
ORPHANS' COURT
![[photo, Fountain before Harford County Courthouse, 20 West Courtland St., Bel Air, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/ha/images/1198-1-1025.jpg)
Functions of the Orphans' Court began in the colonial period under the Prerogative Court, headed by the Commissary General. For each county, a deputy commissary was appointed to handle matters relating to the administration of estates. In February 1777, an Orphans' Court was authorized in each county to serve as the County's probate court.(Chapter 8, Acts of 1777).
Orphans' Court judges are responsible for approving administration accounts, and making sure that only appropriate payments are made from estate assets and that distributions are made to the proper beneficiaries or heirs. Generally, payment of attorney's fees or personal representative's commissions made from estate assets also must be approved by the Court.
In 1776, the office of Register of Wills was authorized for each county by Maryland's first Constitution (Constitution of 1776, sec. 41). Originally, the Register of Wills was appointed by the Governor upon joint recommendation of the Senate and House of Delegates. With the Constitution of 1851, however, the voters began to directly elect the Register to a six-year term (Constitution of 1851, Art. IV, sec. 18; Constitution of 1864, Art. IV, sec. 46; Constitution of 1867, Art. IV, sec. 41). In 1922, quadrennial elections were authorized for registers of wills, and instituted in 1926. Since that time, registers have been elected to four-year terms (Chapter 227, Acts of 1922, ratified 1924; Const., Art. XVII, sec. 7).
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