Commisioners / Domestic Violence / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Legal Reform / Magistrates / Maryland / Maryland Watch / Parental Rights / Protective Orders
The Gatekeepers No One Elected: How Maryland’s District Court Commissioners Shape Justice Before a Judge Ever Looks
Maryland’s justice system relies on District Court commissioners who operate 24/7 to manage warrantless arrests and set bail without needing legal training. This rapid process, favoring efficiency, risks false allegations affecting family law cases, with racial disparities in bail persisting. Reform is necessary to ensure due process and protect parental rights.