Maryland Mock Trial Rules

Key Differences from Federal Rules of Evidence

• Maryland codifies evidence rules as part of the Maryland Rules (Title 5) rather than a separate evidence code or statute
• Maryland Rule 5-403 applies the same balancing test as FRE 403 but Maryland courts tend to give broader discretion to trial judges on exclusion
• Maryland retains common-law privileges not codified in the rules, providing broader privilege protections than the FRE

Notable Rules

Key Features

• Maryland Circuit Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction; District Courts handle smaller civil claims and misdemeanors without juries
• Maryland uses a Discovery Court for resolving discovery disputes efficiently in complex cases
• Maryland permits business and technology cases to be assigned to specialized judges in Circuit Court

• Civil juries consist of 6 jurors in Circuit Court
• Criminal felony juries require 12 unanimous jurors
• District Court cases are bench trials only (no jury right in District Court)