Dorchester County Detention Center Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Dorchester County Maryland
Dorchester County Courts in Cambridge
Dorchester's courts are both in Cambridge.
Bail reviews, traffic and minor criminal charges are heard at the District Court, 310 Gay Street, 410-901-1420; felonies and juries go to the Circuit Court in the High Street courthouse, 206 High Street, 410-228-0481. Case Search covers both.
Use the case number to confirm the next hearing and the courtroom with the clerk named on the court notice.
1. Where is the District Court in Cambridge?
- District Court, 310 Gay Street, Cambridge, MD 21613, 410-901-1420.
- Commissioner: same building, 410-901-1430.
No juries sit on Gay Street; a judge alone decides traffic cases, misdemeanors, peace orders and bail reviews.
↑ Back to the question list2. Where is the High Street courthouse?
- Circuit Court, 206 High Street, Cambridge, MD 21613, 410-228-0481.
Felonies, jury trials, juvenile matters and District Court appeals are heard in this building, which dates to the 1850s.
↑ Back to the question list3. How does a case move to High Street?
A felony moves after an indictment or criminal information. A District Court defendant can also request a jury where the possible sentence is long enough, and that transfers the case too.
↑ Back to the question list4. Can I check a Cambridge case from home?
Use Case Search, enter the name, and filter by county. Charges, dates and bail status appear on the case page. Records protected by law will not.
↑ Back to the question list5. How are warrants handled in Dorchester's courts?
The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office at 829 Fieldcrest Road, Cambridge, serves warrants for the county's courts. Its 24-hour line is 410-228-4141. Cambridge and Hurlock police check their own cases.
On High Street in Cambridge, at number 206, sits the Circuit Court clerk, 410-228-0481. The District Court is at 310 Gay Street, 410-901-1420. If a missed date caused the warrant, those offices will know whether rescheduling is allowed.
Surrender is the other option. The Dorchester County Detention Center shares the Fieldcrest Road address, and a lawyer can help set up a time.
Case Search shows filed cases with charges and outcomes, never warrants. When grand jurors return an indictment that is sealed until arrest, the public sees nothing until it is served.
↑ Back to the question list6. Where can a defendant apply for counsel?
The Office of the Public Defender, 310 Gay Street, Cambridge, MD 21613, 410-221-2570. Staff check income and household size.
↑ Back to the question list7. Where are defendants held?
At the Dorchester County Detention Center, 829 Fieldcrest Road, Cambridge, MD 21613, 410-228-8101. See our bail guide and our inmate search guide.
↑ Back to the question list8. What should families know about court days in Cambridge?
Check Case Search the evening before, since dockets change. Arrive early for screening. Detained defendants may appear by video from Fieldcrest Road. If you cannot attend, the defense lawyer can share the outcome with permission.
↑ Back to the question list9. Where are federal cases heard?
At the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, 101 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-962-2600. See the BOP locator for sentenced people.
↑ Back to the question list10. How does ICE affect a Cambridge case?
The state case continues. A Form I-247A may ask the jail to keep someone up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)). Counsel should tell the court. See the ICE locator.
↑ Back to the question list11. Where are long sentences served?
Usually in DPSCS prisons. Use the DPSCS locator and our Maryland prisons page.
↑ Back to the question list