On May 6, 2024, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City and the District Court of Maryland in Baltimore City joined the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system. This marks the completion of MDEC's implementation across all Maryland courts.
The MDEC project started in fall 2014 and has been gradually introduced to each county over ten years. It replaces local case management systems with a unified statewide system, enabling attorneys to shift from paper-based processes to electronic filing. E-filing is now mandatory for attorneys in civil and criminal cases across the state, though it remains optional for self-represented litigants.
"‘Baltimore City marks the largest and final of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions to migrate to a more modern e-filing platform," said Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader of the Supreme Court of Maryland. "This technology infrastructure improvement greatly improves the Judiciary’s ability to provide access to justice and efficient service to the public."
District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey expressed excitement about Baltimore City's inclusion in e-filing, noting that extensive preparation went into this transition while maintaining daily operations.
Chief and Administrative Judge Audrey J.S. Carrión highlighted that MDEC will enhance court services by transforming business processes at the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
Baltimore City District Administrative Judge Geoffrey G. Hengerer emphasized that MDEC allows access to court documents from any courthouse kiosk statewide, enhancing accessibility for the public and legal professionals.
For more information on MDEC or e-filing, attorneys can visit mdcourts.gov/mdec/efilingatty. Self-represented individuals interested in e-filing can register at mdcourts.gov/mdec/efilingpublic or contact law libraries for assistance.