Voters of each district elected a judge to the Court of Appeals for a ten-year term.

In seven judicial circuits, the Governor, with Senate advice and consent, designated a chief judge.

In the eighth judicial circuit in Baltimore, the voters elected the chief judge.

Judicial reorganization in 1943 provided for a five-member Court of Appeals elected for terms of fifteen years.

Throughout the year, the Supreme Court of Maryland holds hearings on the adoption or amendment of rules of practice and procedure.

The justices sometimes decide to hear an appeal before the lower appellate court has heard the case.

[5] While it is generally an appellate court and hears most cases on appeal, the Supreme Court of Maryland has exclusive jurisdiction over certain matters, such as legislative redistricting, removal of certain officers, and certification of questions of law.

Additionally, it had exclusive jurisdiction in death penalty appeals prior to the abolition of capital punishment in Maryland.

They must be at least thirty years of age at the time of appointment, and must have been admitted to practice law in Maryland.

This requirement of voter approval is similar to provisions in the Missouri Plan, a non-partisan method for selecting judges which is used by 11 states.

Judges at all other levels of the Maryland judiciary wear the more customary black robes.

Justices of the Supreme Court of Maryland who no longer wish to work full time, or wish to have more control over their schedules, may become senior justices and be appointed to hear cases if: they were not removed or involuntarily retired from the bench, they did not leave the bench for reason of disability, they did not leave the bench because they lost an election or did not gain Senate confirmation, they were not censured by the Supreme Court of Maryland upon recommendation of the Commission on Judicial Disabilities, and they do not engage in the practice of law.