What kinds of cases do the Maryland District Courts handle?

• A. Felonies, major civil trials, and appellate reviews.
• B. Federal cases within Maryland.
• C. Petitions for writs of habeas corpus.
• D. Misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small civil claims, and preliminary hearings.

Answer: (D)

Maryland District Courts are trial courts of limited jurisdiction, focused on handling the kinds of cases that don’t require a full circuit court trial. They deal with misdemeanors and traffic offenses, hear small civil claims, and conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to the Circuit Court. They don’t try felonies, handle major civil trials, hear federal cases within Maryland, or decide appellate reviews. Writs of habeas corpus are not typically heard there. So, the kinds of cases they handle are precisely those listed: misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small civil claims, and preliminary hearings.