Prince George's County Courts

Prince George's County is one of the most populous counties in Maryland, accounting for approximately 16% of the state's total population of 6.31 million. The county has an estimated population of 948,000 residents, and Upper Marlboro serves as the county seat. Annually, Prince George's County courts record approximately 202,600 case filings, including 36,000 civil cases, 18,000 criminal matters, 1,821 juvenile cases, 13,100 family-related matters, and 6,900 probate matters.

The county's court system includes the Circuit Court, District Court, and Orphans' Court. These courts have jurisdiction based on the types of matters they adjudicate:

• Prince George's County Circuit Court handles felony criminal matters and most civil cases, including family law and appeals from the District Court.
• Prince George's District Court hears traffic violations, misdemeanors, and landlord-tenant disputes.
• Prince George's County Orphans' Court oversees probate matters, including estates, wills, and guardianships.

Upper Marlboro serves as the primary location for most of Prince George's County's courts.

How To Access Prince George's County Court Records

The court records within Prince George are open under the Maryland Public Information Act, except for records that are confidential or protected by law. Such protected records include adoption proceedings, medical records, and records related to minors. Individuals seeking access to Prince George's County court records are required to present valid government-issued photo identification along with the case number. The following are available methods to search or obtain the county court records:

Online

In the county, interested individuals may search the county's court records online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. This portal allows access to publicly available court records from all counties statewide. Users may search by party name or case number.

Prince George's County court records may also be accessed through CourtCaseFinder, a platform that provides access to court records from counties nationwide. Federal court records for cases originating in Prince George's County may be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records service (PACER) system.

In-Person

Prince George's court records may be accessed or obtained in person at the Clerk's Office in the courthouse where the case was filed. Individuals are typically required to complete a record request form to obtain copies. To obtain copies of court records, certain fees are required. Printed copies cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost $5 per document. Additionally, in Prince George's County, court records may be viewed freely on the public access terminals available within the courthouses.

Old and Archived Court Records

Court records in the county of Prince George that are over 50 years old may no longer be available at the courthouses or in the county's online system. The state archives preserve public court documents dating back to the 1800s. To access historical court records, interested individuals may visit the Maryland State Archives at:

How To File a Case in Prince George's County

To file a case in Prince George's County, an individual must determine whether the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the District Court or Circuit Court. It is recommended to contact the appropriate Clerk's Office or check the Maryland Courts website to confirm jurisdiction.

Once the jurisdiction is confirmed, the individual must prepare the necessary documents. This includes a Complaint or Petition and, for a civil matter, often a Civil Domestic Case Information Report. Each form must be completed using a court-approved template, which is available at the courthouse or online through the Maryland Courts or the Guide & File platform. A supporting document, such as an affidavit or exhibit, may be required depending on the case type.

An attorney may submit a filing online through the Maryland e-Filing portal. However, a self-represented litigant in Prince George's County cannot file electronically and is required to submit the filing in person or by mail to the Clerk of the District Court or Circuit Court. Some case types, such as a small claim or a landlord-tenant case, may be initiated using the Maryland Guide & File tool, which helps generate a completed form to be printed and filed in person or by mail. The filing fee varies, depending on the type of case, and payment is required at the time of submission.

An individual who cannot afford the filing cost in Prince George's County may apply for a waiver using the Request for Waiver of Costs form. The court will review the request using the MLSC Income Guidelines, but may also consider additional factors. If the waiver is approved, the case will be accepted and processed. After submission, the Clerk's Office assigns a case number, stamps the document, and issues any necessary summons. The filing party must then serve the other party using an approved method, such as sheriff service, a private process server, or certified mail, and file proof of service with the court.

Parties may track their case status using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal or by contacting the Clerk's Office directly. Below are steps for filing cases in Prince George's County:

• Determine Jurisdictions - Confirm that the cases fall under the authorities of the Prince George's County Circuit Court or District Court, depending on case types.
• Prepare Required Documents - Gather and complete court-approved forms.
• Check Filing Options - Attorneys may file using the Maryland e-Filing portal, while self-represented litigants may file in person or by mail.
• Pay Filing Fees - Pay applicable filing fees at the time of submissions or request fee waivers.
• Submit the Cases - File documents at the courthouses or through the portal (if eligible). Receive stamped or confirmed copies.
• Serve the Other Party - Use court-approved service methods such as sheriffs, private servers, and certified mail. File proofs of service with the courts.
• Track Case Progress - Monitor the case status using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play vital roles in ensuring access to justice. Legal assistance and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants involved in civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

Individuals involved in court cases, especially those with limited income, may find help through nonprofit legal aid groups and local law clinics in Prince George's County. These organizations often offer free or low-cost support and may also connect individuals to lawyers who provide services at reduced rates. County-level legal aid programs and referral services for Prince George's County residents include the following:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Maryland Legal Aid offers free representation in family law, public benefits, housing, employment, and consumer issues for income-eligible residents.
• Community Legal Services of Prince George's County (CLS) offers free and low-cost legal services, including clinics, full representations, and advice in areas such as landlord-tenant disputes, protective orders, and family law.
• Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland connects low-income individuals with volunteer lawyers who provide free legal assistance, especially in housing, consumer rights, and immigration.
• Catholic Charities Legal Network provides free civil legal aid to low-income individuals with the help of volunteer attorneys.
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• Maryland George's County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service offers lawyer referrals with modest consultation fees.
• Maryland State Bar Association connects individuals with private lawyers based on legal needs and locations. Initial consultations are often at reduced rates.
• Free Legal Services for Low-income Landlords
• Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Services (MVLS) may offer assistance to landlords on legal matters related to housing code violations, deed issues, and contracts if the landlords meet income eligibility.
• Free Small Claims Court Advice
• Maryland Court Help Centers offer free legal help for people representing themselves in civil cases, including small claims.
• People's Law Library of Maryland offers easy-to-understand legal guides and step-by-step instructions for small claims procedures, including how to file and defend cases.

Types of Courts in Prince George's County, Maryland

In Prince George's County, trial-level cases are handled by several courts, including the Circuit Court, District Court, Orphans' Court, and federal courts. Each of these courts plays a role in resolving different types of legal matters. The following describes what each court handles, along with contact information.

Prince George's County Circuit Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court serves as the main trial court for Prince George's County, handling major civil and criminal cases, including all jury trials. It also hears non-jury cases involving family law and other equity matters like divorce, custody, and guardianship.
• Address and Contact Information

Prince George's County District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court handles a range of case types, including landlord-tenant disputes, traffic offenses, misdemeanor criminal cases, and civil matters involving claims of $30,000 or less.

Below are the locations for the District Court of Maryland serving Prince George's County:

Hyattsville Courthouse

Upper Marlboro Courthouse

Prince George's County Orphans' Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court handles wills, estates, and some guardianship cases involving minors.
• Address and Contact Information

Federal Courts in Prince George's County

Listed below are the federal courts that serve the county:

United States District Court for the District of Maryland - (Southern Division)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court handles serious cases, including civil rights claims, federal crimes, immigration issues, and lawsuits involving the U.S. government or federal law.
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court deals with all bankruptcy matters, including personal and business debt relief, repayment plans, and liquidation cases.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Prince George's County Courts

Below are answers to common questions that may help residents better understand and navigate the court system in Prince George's County, Maryland: