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Law InfoCenter


Codes, Laws and Regulations
Baltimore County | Maryland | United States

Laws exists in many forms. A  list of just a few: constitutional law, statutory law, decisions, regulations, executive orders, and local laws and ordinances. A law is any public order or decision that is binding upon those to whom it is addressed.

Statutes, also called acts or ordinances, are laws passed by a legislative body, such as the United States Congress, Maryland General Assembly, or Baltimore County Council. Legislatures have the power to make laws because the state and federal constitutions give the power to them.

Codes are where laws are published. They are arranged by subject. So similar laws on the same topic are grouped together. Examples are the Baltimore County Code, the United States Code, and the Maryland Code.

Regulations are laws issued by executive branch agencies, such as the United States Social Security Administration or Baltimore County Office of Planning. The agencies are given the authority to make these laws because legislatures give it to them by passing laws that say they have the authority. Generally regulations provide the specifics on how a statute is to be enforced and implemented. Agencies can only make regulations on subjects the authorizing statutes say they can. You need to read regulations together with the authorizing laws they were made under. Regulations are published in subject arrangements called codes, such as Code of Federal Regulations or C F R or Code of Maryland Regulations or COMAR.


Baltimore County

Baltimore County Codes and Regulations (local interest)
Codes are where laws made by the County Council are grouped together by broad topics.

Regulations are laws made by executive branch departments, such as County Office of Budget and Finance or County Office of Planning. These agencies have the authority to make regulations because laws passed by the County Council or Maryland General Assembly gave the authority to them.

The following codes and regulations are in effect in Baltimore County:

Baltimore County Council (local interest)
The elected body which has all law-making power granted by the County Charter and by the General Assembly of Maryland.

Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management (local interest)
Environmental and storm water management regulations and environmental guidelines

Baltimore County Department of Permits and Development Management (local interest)
Frequently asked questions about code inspection and enforcement dealing with development, building, electrical, plumbing, livability and zoning codes. Monitors the Rental Registration program. Miscellaneous Permits provides dog licenses, gathering permits and dozens of other items.

Rental Housing Registration Licenses (local interest)
by Baltimore County Department of Permits and Development Management
All buildings or a portion of a building that contain one to six dwelling units intended or designated as rental units must be registered, inspected by a certified home inspector, and licensed with Baltimore County on or before January 1, 2009 (extended deadline). Information about the requirements for the property owner and the home inspector. Download the Rental Housing Application and payment forms, exemption affidavits and required inspection sheet.

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Maryland

Code Lynx (local interest)
provided by the Maryland Codes Administration
Maryland building, fire, and other codes information, including Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code, Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS) which is Maryland's law on building codes and standards, Maryland Minimum Livability Code,  and Maryland Accessibility Code. Each local jurisdiction uses the same edition of the same codes and may modify these codes to suit local conditions.

Code of Maryland Regulations  or COMAR (local interest)
Official regulations issued by Maryland executive branch agencies.

Constitution of Maryland (local interest)
Full-text of the state constitution

Depository Libraries (local interest)
Several Maryland libraries receive the documents included in the Code of Maryland Regulations or COMAR.

Guide to Legal Aspects of Doing Business in Maryland. 2003 [PDF] (local interest)
by Maryland Office of the Attorney General and Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development
Not an exhaustive treatment of the legal obligations of Maryland businesses. Focuses on those matters regulated by State agencies. Covers state law impact on business organization, mergers, foreign business operations in Maryland, securities, taxation, labor and employment, agriculture business, natural resources, environmental law, consumer protection, franchises, antitrust laws, and more.

Legislative Library and Information Services (local interest)
provided by the Maryland Department of Legislative Services
Answers questions by phone, e-mail, or face-to-face about the Maryland General Assembly, the legislative process, legislation, and state government. Staff will mail a limited number of copies of bills, amendments, votes, and most current year publications.

Maryland Code (local interest)
provided by Michie's Legal Resources
Word search or search by legal citation either the  full text record of public, general and permanent laws passed by the state of Maryland ( the Maryland Code ).

Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (local interest)
Wage and employment standards and law, occupational safety, occupational and safety licensing boards, employment of minors, and more.

Maryland General Assembly (local interest)
History and status of bills, full-text of bills, hearings schedules, and more as well as information on the organization and members of the General Assembly

Maryland Residential Ground Rent Registration (local interest)
provided by Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation
A ground lease must be registered with the Department before September 30, 2010 or the interest of the ground lease holder is extinguished and the ground rent is no longer payable.

Maryland Sex Offender Registry or SOR (local interest)
maintained by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
List of registered sex offenders provided to protect children and others from those with histories of crimes against children and other sexual offenses.

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United States

Code of Federal Regulations or C F R
Rules and regulations made by federal agencies and executive departments.

  • Federal Register
    Proposed and recently adopted regulations and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as Executive Orders and other Presidential documents

Federal Depository Libraries
from G P O Access
Locate a library and federal publications and other information products available for free public use in Federal depository libraries.

FedLaw
Easy access to resources for people doing Federal legal research

G P O Access
from the United States Government Printing Office
Find Code of Federal Regulations, federal depository libraries, the Federal Register, Presidential materials, Congressional bills, the Congressional Record, recent or pending federal legislation, or other documents from all three branches of United States government.

Immigration Laws, Regulations and Guides
by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Department of Homeland Security

Office of the Clerk United States House of Representatives
House history, roll call votes, committee schedules, floor proceedings, and more

Regulations.gov
Find, review, and submit comments on Federal documents currently open for public comment and published in the Federal Register.

THOMAS: Legislative Information on the Internet
Library of Congress provides searchable information about the United States Congress and the legislative process. Search recent or pending bills by topic, bill number, title, or sponsor as well as laws by public law or bill number since 1973. Search for the text of the Congressional Record since 1989. Find committee reports by topic or committee name.

United States Code
Search by keyword or title and section in this consolidation and codification of the laws of the United States by subject. The Code does not include regulations issued by executive branch agencies, Federal court decisions, treaties, or laws enacted by state or local governments.

  • Search by title and section, browse the table of contents (list of titles) or the Table of Popular Names for many laws, or use the search engine to search all the titles. Additional search features provided by Cornell University Legal Information Institute. View the video tutorial  (4:03 minutes) on using the Cornell University Law School's United States Code site created by the Enoch Pratt Free Library/Maryland State Library Resource Center.

United States House of Representatives Home Page
Official website. Find current debates on House floor, hearings, roll call votes, and more.

United States Senate Home Page
Official website. Track and research bills, votes, and more.

USA.gov Reference Center: Laws and Regulations
Links to federal laws and regulations, court records, executive orders, and more

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Consumer Law

Consumer InfoCenter (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Information on many consumer topics, legal and financial assistance, fraud and scams, filing complaints

Maryland Attorney General Consumer Protection Division (local interest)
Procedures to file a complaint, printable forms, links to other consumer pages, many publications on a variety of consumer topics, and more

Maryland's Lemon Law (local interest)
A guide to consumer rights and remedies when a new car turns out to be defective

Peoples Law Library of Maryland - Consumer Law (local interest)
Information on filing for bankruptcy, on consumer scams, handling consumer problems, small claims court, stopping telemarketers, and more

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Courts
Baltimore County | Maryland | United States


Baltimore County

Baltimore County State's Attorney (local interest)
Prosecutes the felony, misdemeanor and juvenile cases occurring in Baltimore County. This includes most violations of the Criminal Code that occur in Baltimore County and all traffic violations occurring in Baltimore County where the penalty is incarceration.

Baltimore County State's Attorney - District Court Division (local interest)
Prosecutes all misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic offenses punishable by jail and certain felonies such as theft over $500. There are three District Court locations in Baltimore County - Catonsville, Towson and Essex.

Circuit Court for Baltimore County (local interest)
The trial court of general jurisdiction. The court has full common law and equity powers in all civil, juvenile, and criminal cases. Covers jury duty, family law resources, law library information and hours of operation, general legal listings in the County.
  •  Circuit Court Law Library (local interest)
     Library is open to the public. Includes publications on topics such as change of name, creating a will, child support modification, and more.
     Also links to Internet legal resources with focus on Maryland law.
  •  Circuit Court Legal Forms (local interest)
  •  Daily Docket (local interest)
     All scheduled events for civil, criminal and domestic cases.  It is updated between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day for the next day's docket.
  •  Frequently Asked Questions (local interest)
     How to obtain a marriage license, become a notary, who to call about land records (deeds) or licenses, and more

District Courts in Baltimore County (local interest)
Jurisdiction of court includes all landlord-tenant cases, replevin actions, motor vehicle violations, misdemeanors and certain felonies. Some legal forms are available online in their Forms Index.

Get Ready for Your Day in Court (local interest)
by Maryland's Eastern Shore Regional Library
Make informed decisions about the need for legal representation in District Court civil cases. This Guide is not just for Eastern Shore residents. It  will  help you understand the Maryland legal system, how to represent yourself effectively, and when (and how) to contact a lawyer.

Jury Duty (local interest)
What you need to know before you serve

Orphans' Court of Baltimore County (local interest)
Specializes in cases involving disputes about wills and or codicils, the administration of estates, guardianships over property left to minors and protection of minors’ assets

Register of Wills, Baltimore County (local interest)
Includes forms and valuable information for administering a decedent's estate

Small Claims (local interest)
Explains how to file a small claim in the District Court of Maryland

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Maryland

Court Records (local interest)
Provides public access to case information originating within the Maryland District Court system and the Circuit Courts. Maryland District Court traffic, criminal, and civil cases and Maryland Circuit Court criminal and civil cases, judgments and liens are available. The amount of historical data may vary by jurisdiction. This information included defendant name, city and state, case number, date of birth, plaintiff name (civil cases only), trial date, charge, and case disposition.

  • Maryland Judiciary Case Search (MDJCS) (local interest)
    Information is available on all civil, traffic, and criminal cases in the state. This information includes defendant name, city and state, case number, date of birth, plaintiff name for civil cases only, trial date, charge, and case disposition.

Maryland Judiciary (local interest)
Overview of Court of Appeals, Court of Special Appeals, Circuit Courts, District Courts. Searchable index of court opinions, family law and court forms, legal resources, and more.

Maryland Rules of Procedure (local interest)
provided by Michie's Legal Resources
Also called Maryland Court Rules. Lays out the procedures for conducting the business of the Maryland courts. For example, the procedures to follow to serve a legal complaint on a person you want to sue, sets the deadlines and procedures for you to respond to a suit against you, or set limits on evidence a court may consider. Limited number of court forms included in Appendix.

United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland (local interest)
Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases. Download Official Bankruptcy Forms. Provides general information about filing a Bankruptcy case.

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United States

Federal Judicial Branch
by USA.gov
Links to website of Supreme Court and other federal courts

Inside the Federal Courts
by the Federal Judicial Center
What the courts do, how they are organized, who does what, how cases move through the courts, and more

Supreme Court Collection
from the Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
An archive of some Supreme Court historic decisions as well as cases from 1990-present. Find decisions by topic.

Supreme Court Opinions
by FindLaw.com
Contains Supreme Court cases dating from 1893. Searchable by case name, volume number, and year. Most opinions begin in 1990.

United States Constitution with Cases Decided by the Supreme Court to June 29, 1992
by FindLaw.com
Full-text of Constitution followed by how the Supreme Court may have interpreted the specific articles or amendments of the Constitution.

United States Courts: The Federal Judiciary
Links to the federal courts, educational information to understand the courts, how to access court records, forms, and more Select FAQs for juror information and information about filing a case.

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Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to link to the most accurate and clearly expressed information possible. The links contained on this page are created and maintained by other organizations and are provided as a public service by Baltimore County Public Library. These materials are not to be considered as a statement of Maryland law or as legal advice. No guarantee or warranty is made regarding the information's appropriateness for a particular purpose or individual circumstance. If you have a legal problem, you should consult with an attorney.

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Family Law

Adoption in Maryland (local interest)
by Social Services Administration of Maryland Department of Human Resources
Learn about adoption in Maryland and services to adult adoptees and birth parents who want to reconnect with their blood ties. Includes information about Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry and Adoption Search Services and adoption records.

Baltimore County Circuit Court - Family Division (local interest)
Law forms, divorce education program, mediation, family support services, family law resources. The Pro Se Family Law Program is staffed by experienced Family Law attorneys who will assist parties in filling-out Family Law forms in Family Division cases.

DivorceNet - Maryland (local interest)
Interactive bulletin boards, local counsel, local mediation, legal forms, paternity testing, family law articles, and more

Family Law Resources in Baltimore County (local interest)
created by the Circuit Court for Baltimore County
Lists organizations available to available to assist parents with children facing a separation and divorce, to address child support, family support, domestic violence and other concerns

House of Ruth Legal Clinic (local interest)
Provides counseling and direct representation to battered spouses in civil protection order proceedings and divorce and child custody cases. Information explaining Protective Orders and Peace Orders on website.

Kaufman Center for Family Law (local interest)
a project of The Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc.
Offers many services for Marylanders including the Family Law Hotline, a free telephone service for those with basic family law questions. The Legal Forms Helpline for those who are able to file their family law cases pro se, because their cases are uncomplicated and uncontested but who may need some assistance understanding the process or completing forms and pleadings. The Protection Order Advocacy and Representation Project offers free representation for victims of domestic violence at protection order hearings in Baltimore City and Baltimore County Circuit Courts.

Maryland Child Support Enforcement Program (local interest)
Child support enforcement forms in PDF format: application for child support services, income/expense questionnaire, affidavit of parentage, Maryland new hire reporting

Maryland Family Law Forms (local interest)
Includes domestic relations forms for individuals who do not have a lawyer and need to file papers in one of the following areas: divorce, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, name changes, or contempt. Also includes a brochure explaining Domestic Violence Protection Orders, a Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence, and Addendum.

Maryland Legal Services Program (MLSP) (local interest)
Created for the purpose of ensuring quality and effective legal representation in the State's Circuit Court to children and indigent adults, in which either the local Department of Social Services or the Office of Aging is a party to the case.

Peoples Law Library of Maryland - Family Law (local interest)
Excellent overviews of divorce, custody, child support, visitation, name change, marriage, cohabitation and other family law matters. Includes forms.

Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc. (local interest)
Experienced family law attorneys staff the Family Law Hotline to provide free advice and counsel to callers. The Law Center addresses the concerns for the legal rights of women and children, especially in the area of family law and in the workplace. Has links to publications (English and Spanish) on topics of Domestic Violence, Legal Rights of Marriage and Divorce in Maryland, Legal Rights of Unmarried Cohabitants, and Sex Discrimination in Employment.

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Law Libraries and Legal Research

Baltimore County Circuit Court Law Library (local interest)
Open to the public; extensive collection of law materials, including Baltimore County codes, regulations. Links to selected legal resources on the Internet, with particular focus on Maryland and Federal resources. Also Resource Guides to the Circuit Court Law Library resources on topics such as Landlord and Tenant, Changing Your Name, How to Interpret Legal Citations, How to Research a Legal Problem for a Non-Lawyer. The Guides are useful tools for legal research in the public library as well.

Emory University School of Law Ready Reference
Offers research guides on variety of topics, for example, entertainment law, computer and internet law, and more

FedLaw
For Federal legal research. Primarily covers Federal laws, rules, and regulations and Federal judicial decisions; some state laws; arbitration and mediation; general research and reference sources; professional associations; and legal-related how-to locations.

FindLaw
Learn about many legal issues that impact individuals, such as employee rights, immigration, or traffic violations. Special content for the small business owner. Site provides videos and legal forms, both free and for purchase. Offers a separate site for legal professionals.

Gale Encyclopedia of Everyday Law.  Jeffrey Wilson, editor 2nd edition. Detroit: Gale, 2006.  1552 pages.  2 volumes
Access online this encyclopedia which fills a gap between the theory and history behind the law and more practical guides dealing with the law and its everyday effect upon its citizens. Containing approximately 200 articles, the Encyclopedia includes: brief descriptions of each issue's historical background, important statutes and cases; profiles of various United States laws and regulations; and details of how laws and regulations vary from state to state.

Available online as an electronic Reference Book. The content can be discovered by clicking the hyperlinks and can be printed, emailed or downloaded. These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.

Getting Started in Legal Research: A Guide for the Average Joe or Jill
by Social Sciences and Humanities Department of Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore Maryland
Excellent guide to tackling your legal problem and understanding the law. Not all titles are available in Baltimore County Public Library, but they are available for use by County residents at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore City.

Internet Law Library
by LawGuru.com
Provided links to a large number of legal resources relating to American (federal and state) and foreign laws.

Law Library of Congress
The world's largest collection of law books and legal resources about United States federal and state law, foreign law, international law, and comparative law and legislation in the world.  Provides research assistance to the public.

Legal Information Institute
by Cornell Law School
Great place to begin your legal research.

Maryland State Bar Association (local interest)
Easy-to-read guides about common legal problems and topics, e.g. guardianship, being a witness, divorce and separation, traffic tickets, your rights if arrested, and more

Maryland State Law Library (local interest)
Legal research facility for government and public.

Nolo Law for All
While primarily a publisher of books, software and forms, Nolo provides reputable links to free information including a legal dictionary and legal encyclopedia written for the consumer on topics like neighbor and pet law, independent contractors, marriage, divorce, landlords and tenants, copyright and trademarks, small business, parents and children, tax problems, wills and estate planning.

Peoples Law Library of Maryland (local interest)
First stop for legal and self-help information on Maryland and federal law affecting low and moderate income persons and their families, including tenant rights, traffic and motor vehicle law, job discrimination, family law, consumer, disabilities, domestic violence, elder, foreclosure resources, small claims, welfare benefits, immigration, and more.

Thurgood Marshall Law Library (local interest)
of the University of Maryland School of Law, Baltimore, Maryland
Check out the free electronic resources and the research guides on environmental law, health law, federal law, intellectual property law, Maryland law, and international and foreign law. Open to the public.

University of Baltimore Law Library (local interest)
Links to the school law library and online resources. Open to the public.

Virtual Chase
Guides on how to do legal research from the law firm, Ballard Spahr Andrews and Ingersoll, L L P.

WashLaw
by Washburn University School of Law
Your guide to legal information on the Internet.

West's Encyclopedia of American Law. Jeffrey Lehman and Shirelle Phelps, Editors. 2nd edition. Detroit: Gale, 2005. 6448 pages. 13 volumes. 
Provides current information on more than 5,000 legal topics. Access online articles covering important issues, individuals, cases, laws, concepts significant to U.S. law, definitions of legal terms and more. Covers such high-profile topics as the Americans with Disabilities Act, capital punishment, domestic violence, gay and lesbian rights, and physician-assisted suicide.

Supplemented annually by the American Law Yearbook which updates and expands the content of West's Encyclopedia with new emerging topics, updates, biographies of prominent figures and government appointees, and other features. Each year contains the full U.S. Supreme Court docket in addition to non-Supreme Court cases. Entries are arranged alphabetically and use the same entry title as found in West's Encyclopedia

Available online as electronic Reference Books. The content can be discovered by clicking the hyperlinks and can be printed, emailed or downloaded. These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.

World of Forensic Science.  K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, editors. Detroit: Gale, 2005.  812 pages.  2 volumes.
Access online this two-volume comprehensive guide to the scientific processes and the legal, social and ethical issues involved in the forensic sciences.

Available online as an electronic Reference Book. The content can be discovered by clicking the hyperlinks and can be printed, emailed or downloaded. These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.

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Lawyers and Legal Help

Alternative Directions, Inc. (local interest)
A statewide organization dedicated to helping male and female prisoners, ex-prisoners, and others in need to represent themselves in uncontested family legal matters, particularly in matters involving temporary guardianship, divorce, or child support. Assists families separated due to incarceration to deal with domestic relations, housing and other issues. Provides educational seminars in prisons and jails and refers cases to pro bono counsel.

Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland (local interest)
How to file a complaint against an attorney. Provides a link to a list of disciplinary actions taken, listed by county and attorney's name.

Attorney Listing (local interest)
by the Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland
Listing of attorneys admitted to practice in Maryland, their addresses, telephone numbers, and year admitted to practice.

Baltimore County Bar Association (local interest)
Includes information on fee arbitration and grievances against attorneys to resolve disputes between lawyers and clients and pro bono offerings of free and reduced fee legal services to county residents who can not afford to pay an attorney.

Baltimore County Bar Association's Comprehensive Guide to Lawyer Referral (local interest)
The Baltimore County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service or L R S is a non-profit public service project that matches qualified lawyers to clients with specific needs. Nominal consultation fee. Maintains panel of attorneys with experience in specific areas of the law. Not all attorneys licensed to practice in the state belong to a bar association while some attorneys belong to several bar associations.

Baltimore County Human Relations Commission (local interest)
Investigates complaints of discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and financing. Respond to hate bias incidents. Mediates community disputes.

Baltimore County Legal Services for Senior Citizens Program (local interest)
offered by the Baltimore County Department of Aging
Provides free legal assistance, consultation and/or representation to Baltimore County residents age 60 or over.  The program has no income or resource eligibility requirements. The program offers assistance with legal problems involving: Social Security benefits; Supplemental Security Income or S S I benefits; Medical Assistance benefits including Medical Assistance Long Term Care benefits; Medicare; food stamps; evictions; and other legal problems that threaten a person's income, health or safety. The program cannot handle wills, deed changes, estate planning, power of attorney, criminal charges, personal injury cases, traffic tickets and disputes with neighbors. In some instances, callers may be referred to other sources for free or reduced-fee legal help.

Family Law (local interest)
Help with concerns about adoption, separation and divorce, child support, family support, domestic violence and other concerns.

Foreclosure Resources for Marylanders (local interest)
presented by Maryland's Peoples Law Library
These resources will help you better understand foreclosures and how you can avoid them. As well as explaining the foreclosure process and what to do if facing foreclosure.

Homeless Persons Representation Project (local interest)
Provides legal services and advocacy on behalf of the homeless and those at risk of homelessness

House of Ruth (local interest)
Provides counseling and direct representation to battered spouses in civil protection order proceedings and divorce and child custody cases. Information on Protective Orders and Peace Orders on website.

How do I find Legal Help in Maryland? (local interest)
by Peoples Law Library of Maryland
Offers tips on finding help and links to resources for free, low-cost legal help as well as help for anyone seeking legal assistance. Including specialty law fields such as elder law, family law, consumer law, immigration law, and others.

Immigration Legal Assistance in Maryland (local interest)
The Maryland Office for New Americans offers a range of adjustment services including English language translation, employment services, health screening and medical assistance and housing services.

Law Firms
in the Martindale Directory
Browse by areas of practice or geographic location.

Lawyer Directory
by FindLaw.com
Search for lawyer by city, state, zip code, or by legal issue.

Lawyer Locator
in the Martindale Directory
Attorney directory searchable by name, law firm, location, and areas of practice.

Lawyer Referral and Information Service (local interest)
The Bar Association of Baltimore City does not review the work of their attorney members but can find you the name of attorneys interested in your type of case. Not all attorneys licensed to practice in the state belong to a bar association while some attorneys belong to several bar associations.

Lawyer Search
Directory from LexisNexis
Search for a lawyer or law firm by name, practice area or location. Also, provides information for individuals and small businesses on choosing and evaluating a lawyer and finding out about many legal issues.

Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. (local interest)
Provides free civil legal services in Maryland for low-income people meeting eligibility guidelines

Maryland Attorney General (local interest)
Gives assistance to the public on consumer protection, protect Maryland investors from investment fraud and misrepresentation, securities and franchises, Health Care Decision Act, victim assistance, and more

Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, Inc. (local interest)
Information about victim's legal rights, provides comfort, support, and assistance to crime victims and their families throughout the criminal justice process and civil action

Maryland Disability Law Center (local interest)
Provides services to persons with disabilities, including information and referrals about many different legal topics, investigations of complaints that persons with disabilities are abused, neglected, or mistreated, legal representation, and more

Maryland Office of the Public Defender (local interest)
Provides legal representation to accused indigent citizens of Maryland. The assistance of the Public Defenders Office is for jailable offenses only. You must meet the Federal Poverty Guidelines to be assisted by a Public Defender (unless you can show good cause).

Maryland State Bar Association Member Directory (local interest)

Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Services (local interest)
Matches professional lawyers with people who need legal help in the areas of family law, bankruptcy, consumer, tort defense, wills, guardianship, landlord-tenant, deed change, name change, tax disputes and tax returns. Clients must meet income eligibility requirements. M V L S cannot handle criminal, D W I, class action, fee generating (e.g., S S I, S S D I, discrimination, harassment, workers' Compensation.), child or spousal abuse, paternity, child support, or contempt cases.

Registers of Wills in Maryland (local interest)
Find contact information for registers of wills throughout Maryland and information on appointing personal representatives to administer decedents' estates and for overseeing the proper and timely administration of estates.

Sixty Plus Program (local interest)
Matches a moderate income person age 60 and older with an attorney in private practice who will handle certain types of cases for a low fee. The first meeting with the attorney is free.

Tenant-Landlord Hotline (local interest)
by Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc.
Counselors provide information to callers but not legal advice.  Free intro packets to tenants and landlords which answer commonly asked questions, such as, security deposits, evictions, rent court, maintenance, and proper notice. Also provides information on anti-discrimination laws pertaining to the sale or rental of housing.

Victim Services (local interest)
by Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Provides comprehensive services to the victims of crime. Assistance includes information on the release dates of offenders, the whereabouts of released offenders, and help in navigating the criminal justice process. The Department provides financial assistance through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to the victims of crime who have suffered physical injury or dependents of homicide victims.

Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc. (local interest)
Experienced family law attorneys staff the Family Law Hotline to provide free advice and counsel to callers. The Law Center addresses the concerns for the legal rights of women and children, especially in the area of family law and in the workplace. Has links to publications (English and Spanish) on topics of Domestic Violence, Legal Rights of Marriage and Divorce in Maryland, Legal Rights of Unmarried Cohabitants, and Sex Discrimination in Employment.

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Legal Forms

Advanced Directive and Living Will Forms (local interest)
from Maryland Attorney General
Maryland law tries to help people who want to plan for medical situations when they might not be able to speak or make decisions for themselves.

  • Making Medical Decisions for Someone Else: A Maryland Handbook. 2006 [PDF] (local interest)
    by American Bar Association and Maryland Office of the Attorney General
    When someone close to you is seriously ill and can’t make health care decisions, a doctor might ask you “What should we do next?” This happens when someone has named you to make medical decisions for them in a legal document called an advance directive. Some people call this a durable power of attorney for health care. It could also happen because you are a relative or close friend of the patient—or sometimes because a court gave you the responsibility.

Baltimore County Forms (local interest)
Access to online forms and information about many licenses and permits issued through Baltimore County.

Bankruptcy Forms Manual (local interest)
by United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
Official bankruptcy forms and instructions

Certificate of Birth, Death, Fetal Death, and Marriage and Verification of Divorce  (local interest)
Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Issues certified copies of recent birth, death, fetal death, and marriage certificates for events that occur in Maryland. The Division also provides divorce verifications. For older records, the Maryland State Archives maintains many records that are invaluable for biographical and genealogical research. These include birth records, adoption records, marriage records, divorce records, and death records, and some indices to these records. 

Circuit Court of Maryland Forms (local interest)
Civil case information forms, family law forms, land record intake sheet, expungement of record and more

District Court of Maryland Forms (local interest)
Includes Renewal of Request for Summons, Notice to Renew Judgment, Order of Satisfaction, Civil Appeal/Request for Transcript, Purchase Orders for Civil Forms, and all Peace and Protective Order forms, expungement of record, and more

'Lectric Law Library's Business and General Forms
Dealing with subjects like real estate, corporations, employment, contracts, trusts and wills.

Family Law Forms (local interest)
Includes domestic relations forms for Marylanders who do not have a lawyer and need to file papers in one of the following areas: divorce, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, name changes, or contempt. Also includes a brochure explaining Domestic Violence Protection Orders, a Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence, and Addendum.

Federal Forms
by Forms.gov
Has many, but not all, of the forms issued by Federal agencies

Forms: Personal and Business Database (local interest)
by Facts on File and offered through Baltimore County Public Library
Find forms for a variety of government services including the Departments of Labor, Housing and Urban Development; the Small Business, and the Social Security Administration. Common forms for general office, legal, real estate, sales, and other business-related forms. Forms to apply for naturalization, financial aid, and legal services. Browse a list of cross-referenced federal and state tax forms, grouped by category, searchable across current and archived forms.

Use public computers in our libraries or a home computer with a valid library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library. See the Databases Troubleshooting Help page.

Immigration Forms
from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Citizenship information, services and benefits and forms for visiting the United States temporarily, employment authorization, seeking citizenship. Also, A Guide to Naturalization [PDF]

Internet Legal Resource Guide's Legal Forms
Forms covering basic agreements, buying and selling, credit and collection, employment, leases, loans, assignments, personal and family, and divorce.

Legal Forms Helpline (local interest)
a project of The Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc
The Legal Forms Helpline is for Marylanders who are able to file their family law cases pro se, because their cases are uncomplicated and uncontested but who may need some assistance understanding the process or completing forms and pleadings

Maryland Attorney General Publications and Forms (local interest)
Forms for general consumer complaints, new car and auto repair complaints, new home complaints, securities forms, home builder registration, health clubs, public information and open meetings, and more

Maryland Business Charters and Articles of Incorporation (local interest)
by Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
Anyone wishing to legally form a business does so through the Corporate Charter Division. Such businesses include corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and business trusts. Out-of-state entities doing business in Maryland also must register with the Division.

Register of Wills for Baltimore County (local interest)
For forms and publications and information on wills, living trusts, estate taxes, advance directives, and administering estates throughout Maryland

Small Business Forms and Contracts
from FindLaw
Samples of many popular forms and contracts to help small business owners with many aspects of business operation -- including business startup, employing workers, copyright, patents and trademarks, tips for writing contracts, and more. Search by industry or subject.

Unemployment Insurance in Maryland (local interest)
by Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
For both the employer and unemployed claimant

United States Copyright Office
All the basics on copyright and registration of literary works, visual and performing arts, sound recordings, and more. Find application forms for copyright registration.

United States Patent and Trademark Office
Patents protect inventions, and improvements to existing inventions. Trademarks and service marks include any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination used in commerce to identify and distinguish the goods or services of one manufacturer or seller or provider from goods manufactured or sold or services provided by others, and to indicate the source of the goods or services. Includes basics on getting a patent or a trademark and how to search for a patent or trademark.

WashLaw's Legal Forms
from Washburn University School of Law
Links to collections of legal forms, some charge for forms but many include free forms.

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Legal Terms

Everybody's Legal Glossary
by Nolo

Glossary of Legal Terms and Abbreviations (local interest)
by Maryland State Law Library

How do I find Legal Terms (local interest)
by Peoples Law Library of Maryland
Provides definitions of many terms as well as links to two other legal dictionaries.

Law Dictionary
by FindLaw

Law.com Dictionary

Legal Definitions and Legal Terms Defined
by USLegal
Detailed definition of many legal terms and how it relates or impacts law. Presents related terms as well.

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Notary Services

Maryland Mobile Notary Association (local interest)
Internet directory of certified notaries public serving Maryland and the District of Columbia. Search by city, county or language

Maryland Notary Public Database (local interest)
offered by Maryland Office of the Secretary of State Notary Division
Search by person's first name, last name, or county.

50 State Notary - Directory
Search by for a notary by zip code, county or state to find a notary in you area. Other features include add a name to the directory of notaries and find information such as how to become a notary.

1-Stop Notary - Notaries Public Nationwide
List of notary services throughout the nation.

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General Resources

Government InfoCenter (local interest)
by Baltimore County Public Library
Links to Baltimore County, Maryland and United States government agencies. Has information on meetings and events, community development, planning and zoning in Baltimore County. Lists current government officials and assists in determining the federal, state and local representative for your election district. Links to state and federal tax forms and property assessment information. Covers elections and voting.

Law
from the Internet Public Library
Alphabetical list of links with description. Some sites are suitable for layperson, some for lawyers.

Law Topics
from the Librarians' Internet Index
Arranged by subject

Sailor: Maryland Legal Resources (local interest)
Regional law sites, courts, codes, statutes and regulations, law schools, legal community

State Law and Government Pages
by Emory Law School
Links to state resources, courts and court decisions, bar associations, law schools, and more

State Law - State Government and Legislative Information
Provides links to state laws, state courts and legislatures

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This page is provided by the Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Maryland USA.
The text version of this page was last revised on 26 August 2008.
The graphics version of this page was last revised on 26 August 2008.
You are welcome to provide feedback.