District Court · Last amended October 1, 2026 · Last verified July 13, 2026
This rule prints two full, separately-dated versions in the official compilation (a pending-amendment straddle); both are shown below.
In one sentenceA party who wants a jury trial in a case within District Court jurisdiction must file a timely written demand, which sends the case to circuit court for trial.
Full Text of Rule 3-325
Text sizeEffective until October 1, 2026 — jump to: (a)(b)(c)
(1)By Plaintiff. — A plaintiff whose claim is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the District Court may elect a trial by jury of any action triable of right by a jury by filing with the complaint a separate written demand therefor.
(2)By Defendant. — A defendant, counter-defendant, cross-defendant, or third-party defendant may elect a trial by jury of any action triable of right by a jury by filing a separate written demand therefor within ten days after the time for filing a notice of intention to defend.
(b)Waiver. — The failure of a party to file the demand as provided in section (a) of this Rule constitutes a waiver of trial by jury of the action for all purposes, including trial on appeal.
(c)Transmittal of record to circuit court. — When a timely demand for jury trial is filed, the clerk shall transmit the record to the circuit court within 15 days. At any time before the record is transmitted pursuant to this section, the District Court may determine, on motion or on its own initiative, that the demand for jury trial was not timely filed or that the action is not triable of right by a jury.
Rule 3-325. Jury trial — Effective October 1, 2026
(1)By Plaintiff. — A plaintiff whose claim is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the District Court may elect a trial by jury of any action triable of right by a jury by filing with the complaint a separate written demand therefor.
(2)By Defendant. — A defendant, counter-defendant, cross-defendant, or third-party defendant may elect a trial by jury of any action triable of right by a jury by filing a separate written demand therefor within ten days after the time for filing a notice of intention to defend or, if applicable, within the time provided in Code, Real Property Article, § 8-601 et seq.
(b)Waiver. — The failure of a party to file the demand as provided in section (a) of this Rule constitutes a waiver of trial by jury of the action for all purposes, including trial on appeal.
(c)Transmittal of record to circuit court. — When a timely demand for jury trial is filed, the clerk shall transmit the record to the circuit court within 15 days. At any time before the record is transmitted pursuant to this section, the District Court may determine, on motion or on its own initiative, that the demand for jury trial was not timely filed or that the action is not triable of right by a jury.
Amendment History
Effective until October 1, 2026
Amended Apr. 7, 1986, effective July 1, 1986; June 3, 1988, effective July 1, 1988; Oct. 31, 2002, effective Jan. 1, 2003.
Effective October 1, 2026
Amended Apr. 7, 1986, effective July 1, 1986; June 3, 1988, effective July 1, 1988; Oct. 31, 2002, effective Jan. 1, 2003; June 4, 2026, effective October 1, 2026.
Committee Note & Source
Effective until October 1, 2026
Source. This Rule is derived as follows: Section (a) is derived from former M.D.R. 343 b and c. Section (b) is derived from former M.D.R. 343 a. Section (c) is derived from former M.D.R. 343 d and e.
Effective October 1, 2026
Source. This Rule is derived as follows: Section (a) is derived from former M.D.R. 343 b and c. Section (b) is derived from former M.D.R. 343 a. Section (c) is derived from former M.D.R. 343 d and e.
Plain-English Summary
The District Court itself doesn't hold jury trials. When a case eligible for a jury is properly demanded, it moves to circuit court. A plaintiff makes that election by filing a separate written demand along with the complaint. A defendant, or a counter-defendant, cross-defendant, or third-party defendant, has to file a separate written demand within 10 days after the deadline for filing a notice of intention to defend. Either way, the demand needs to be its own filing, not just a passing mention inside another pleading.
Missing that window has real consequences. Failing to file a timely demand waives a jury trial for the entire case, and that waiver holds even through an appeal — a party who didn't demand a jury below can't get one later just because the case is appealed.
Once a demand is filed on time, the clerk has to transmit the record to the circuit court within 15 days. That transfer isn't automatic in every case, though. Before the record goes over, the District Court can still step in, on a party's motion or on its own, and find that the demand wasn't timely or that the case wasn't the kind that carries a right to a jury trial in the first place, keeping the case in District Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the District Court hold jury trials?
No. A District Court case with a valid jury demand is transferred to circuit court, where the jury trial takes place.
How does a plaintiff demand a jury trial?
By filing a separate written demand along with the complaint.
How does a defendant demand a jury trial?
By filing a separate written demand within 10 days after the deadline for filing a notice of intention to defend. The same 10-day window applies to a counter-defendant, cross-defendant, or third-party defendant.
What happens if I miss the deadline to demand a jury trial?
You waive the right to a jury trial for the whole case, including on appeal. There's no second chance to demand one later just because the case moves up.
Can the District Court refuse to send a case to circuit court after a jury demand?
Yes. Before the record is transmitted, the District Court can find, on its own or on a party's motion, that the demand wasn't timely or that the case doesn't carry a right to a jury trial, and keep the case in District Court.
Source & verification. Rule text, Committee Note, Source note, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Maryland Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Maryland. Last verified July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
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