Baltimore Courts Transition to Maryland Electronic Courts System

BALTIMORE, Md. – The Circuit Court for Baltimore City and the District Court of Maryland in Baltimore City are set to adopt the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system on May 6, 2024. This marks the final phase of the statewide rollout of MDEC, which began in 2014.

The MDEC initiative aims to replace outdated local case management systems with a unified electronic filing platform, facilitating a smoother transition for attorneys from traditional paper-based processes. With this implementation, e-filing will become mandatory for all legal representatives in both civil and criminal cases across Baltimore City, aligning with the rest of Maryland. Self-represented litigants will still have the option to file documents electronically but are not required to do so.

On the launch date, the courts will be accessible only to staff as they prepare for the transition, reopening to the public on May 7, 2024.

Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader of the Supreme Court of Maryland expressed gratitude to all involved in the MDEC project, emphasizing the improved access to justice and efficiency it will bring to the public. District Court Chief Judge John P. Morrissey noted the extensive planning and training that has gone into this effort, highlighting the dedication of the court staff.

Chief and Administrative Judge Audrey J.S. Carrión remarked on the transformation that MDEC brings to court operations, enhancing service delivery for attorneys and court users. District Administrative Judge Geoffrey G. Hengerer added that the new system will allow users to access court documents from kiosks across the state, thereby modernizing the judicial process.

For attorneys seeking more information about MDEC and e-filing, they can visit mdcourts.gov/mdec/efilingatty. Self-represented individuals interested in e-filing can create an account at mdcourts.gov/mdec/efilingpublic. For technical support, users can reach out to E-Filing Support at 410-260-1114 or via email.

Reported by HarborBeat based on courts.state.md.us (source).