(a) Definition. — In this Rule, “remote electronic participation” means simultaneous participation in a judicial proceeding or conference from a remote location by means of telephone, video conferencing, or other electronic means approved in accordance with section (b) of this Rule.
Rule 3-513.1.Participation by other remote electronic means
District Court · Last amended July 1, 2020 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3-513.1 lets a District Court judge permit parties, witnesses, and others to participate in a proceeding remotely by phone, video, or other electronic means, under guidelines set for the whole court.
Full Text of Rule 3-513.1
(b) Remote electronic participation. — Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 3-513, to the extent practicable and in conformance with guidelines established by the Chief Judge of the District Court, after consultation with the State Court Administrator, and posted on the Judiciary website, a presiding judge may permit remote electronic participation by participants. The guidelines shall include provisions that permit interpreters to perform their function and permit confidential communication between attorneys and their clients during a proceeding. If a proceeding that otherwise would be open to the public is conducted entirely by remote electronic means, the court shall ensure that members of the public shall have the ability to listen to the nonredactable portions of the proceeding during the course of the proceeding through remote electronic means.
Amendment History
Added effective July 1, 2020.
Committee Note & Source
Committee note. The use of remote electronic participation under this Rule is in addition to the availability of testimony taken by telephone pursuant to Rule 3-513. The “non-redactable” portions of a proceeding are those portions of the proceeding that are not required to be safeguarded or redacted from an audio recording obtained by a member of the public in accordance with Rule 16-502 (f) and (g).
Source. This Rule is new.
Plain-English Summary
Where Rule 3-513 deals with a single witness testifying by phone, this rule covers broader remote participation in a proceeding or conference — by phone, video conferencing, or other approved electronic means. A presiding judge may permit it when practical, but only within guidelines the Chief Judge of the District Court sets after consulting the State Court Administrator and posts on the Judiciary website. Those guidelines have to make room for interpreters to do their job and for attorneys and clients to communicate confidentially during the proceeding.
The rule also protects public access. If a proceeding that would normally be open to the public happens entirely by remote electronic means, the court has to make sure the public can listen to the nonredactable parts of it as it happens, not just afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from testimony by telephone under Rule 3-513?
Rule 3-513 covers one witness testifying by phone. This rule covers broader remote participation in a proceeding or conference by phone, video, or other electronic means, under statewide guidelines rather than a case-by-case motion.
Can the public listen in if a hearing is held entirely by remote means?
Yes. The court must ensure the public can listen to the nonredactable portions of the proceeding through remote electronic means while it's happening.
Are interpreters and confidential attorney-client communication accounted for in remote proceedings?
Yes. The guidelines governing remote participation must include provisions that let interpreters perform their function and let attorneys and clients communicate confidentially during the proceeding.
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
Also known as: remote hearing Maryland District Courtvirtual court appearance Marylandvideo conference District Court Maryland rulepublic access to remote hearing Maryland