Charles County District Court cases in Charles County, Laplata, MD
Charles County District Court in La Plata is a District Court of Maryland, a state trial court of limited jurisdiction. It serves as the county's entry-level court for non-jury matters, handling traffic violations, misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings in felony cases; issuing warrants, making initial bail determinations, and hearing peace orders and domestic violence protective orders. On the civil side, it hears small claims (up to $5,000), landlord-tenant cases, replevin/detinue, and other civil actions up to $30,000 (exclusive of interest and costs), with concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court for claims over $5,000. It does not conduct jury trials; cases where a jury trial is prayed, and major family law matters such as divorce and child custody, are heard in the Charles County Circuit Court.
Charles County District Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | District Court |
| County: | Charles |
| Street Address: | 11 Washington Avenue |
| City: | Laplata |
| Zip Code: | 20646 |
| Phone: | 301-934-5110 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday : 8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.courts.state.md.us/district/directories/courtmap#WABASH |
| Parking: | Parking: On Both Sides Of The Street |
| Directions: | Take Capitol Beltway (495) South To The Branch Avenue (Route 5) Exit. Proceed On Route 5 For 40 Miles. Route 5 Becomes Routes 5 And 301 To La Plata. At The Intersection Of Route 301 And Route 6, Turn Left At The Traffic Light And Proceed To The Next Light. Turn Left At The Light Which Will Be Washington Ave. The District Court Is On The Left. Proceed 100 Yards Past The Court And Turn Left On Talbot Street |
| Public Transportation: | Bus Information: Charles County Vango La Plata B Http://Www.Charlescountymd.Gov/Cs/Vango/Vango |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.mdcourts.gov/forms |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | districtcourt@mdcourts.gov |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/District-Court-Of-Maryland-For-Charles-County/1130289063678429 |
| ADA: | Patrick H. Loveless |
| ADA Phone: | 443-550-6703 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | 443-550-6702 patrick.loveless@mdcourts.gov |
Services and Case Types Handled in Charles County District Court
Charles County District Court provides front-line access to Maryland's trial courts for limited-jurisdiction matters. It handles: traffic citations and payable offenses; criminal misdemeanors and certain felony preliminary matters; civil claims up to $30,000 (including small claims to $5,000), landlord-tenant/summary ejectment, replevin, rent escrow, and debt collection; peace orders and domestic violence protective orders (interim/temporary/final, as authorized). Services include case filing and docketing, scheduling and conducting hearings, processing payments, fines, and costs, issuing summonses and warrants, accepting bail and bond, expungement petitions, and providing interpreters and ADA accommodations. District Court Commissioners provide 24/7 charging, initial appearances, and interim orders. Jury trials and juror services are handled by the Charles County Circuit Court, not the District Court.