Worcester County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Created in 1742, Worcester County is located in the eastern part of Maryland. As of 2022, the county's population was recorded to be over 52,800 people. The government seat is Snowhill, and the county has a land area of 468.4 square miles. Residents of this county are served by three courts: the Circuit Court, District Courts, and Orphan's Court.

The Worcester County Circuit Court is located in Snow Hill. The court is in charge of the more serious and complex cases, both civil and criminal. It typically hears civil cases, including general civil claims with more than $5000 in dispute, juvenile cases, and family law matters. In the Criminal Division, the court is responsible for hearing felonies. The court hears certain appeals from the District Court; it also hears cases referred from the District Court where a party requires a jury trial. Worcester County has two District Courts located in Snow Hill and Ocean City. The District Courts possess jurisdiction over traffic violations, replevin actions, tenancy cases, and also criminal cases like misdemeanors and some felonies and civil cases that are less than $30,000. The court does not conduct jury trials. Furthermore, The Worcester County Orphans' Court is located in Snow Hill, Maryland. The court has limited jurisdiction over certain types of probate and guardianship cases. Cases typically handled by Orphans' Courts include probate cases, issues involving the ownership of land related to probate cases, and some guardianship.

According to the Maryland UCR Crime Index Report, the crime rate in Worcester County as of 2020 stood at 56.4 per 1,000 residents. Data from the state judiciary reveals that the Worcester County Circuit Court handles an average of 2,500 cases annually. Many records from these court cases are available to the public unless declared confidential by law. The Office of the Worcester County Clerk of the Court is responsible for keeping court records in the county. To access these records, interested persons can visit the office in person to request the records. Alternatively, the records can be searched online using the Maryland Judiciary case search portal. Examples of confidential records that are not available for search include child protection records, records of confidential informants, and guardianship records, amongst others.

In conclusion, the courts in Worcester County include the Circuit Court, District Court, and Orphan's Court. These courts help in resolving legal disputes and play a crucial role in ensuring justice for residents. Their commitment to transparency, by providing court records for public access, further reinforces the sense of security and protection for the community.