Dorchester County Courthouse
The Courthouse in Dorchester County, Maryland
The Circuit Court for Dorchester County that handles criminal cases, including DUI offenses, is located on 206 High St. in Cambridge, Maryland. General Information can be obtained by calling 410-228-0481. The court hears criminal cases between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, except during scheduled court holidays.
Directions to Circuit Court
If you are driving in from the Baltimore/Annapolis area, you need to head down I-97 until reaching US Route 50 (US 301) exit. Next, drive east toward the Bay Bridge crossing the Chesapeake Bay. Continue along Route 50 heading east toward Cambridge. When reaching the Maryland Avenue exit, cross over the Cambridge Creek Bridge in turn right onto Spring Street. The Circuit Court, Dorchester County courthouse will be on your right.
If you are heading to Cambridge from the north, travel south on US 13/US 301 until you reach Exit 136. Next, turn right towards US 13/SR 299/Middletown/Odessa. Keep traveling until you arrive at US 301 (SR 299). Take the ramp towards SR 213 and then turn left. Once reaching the first traffic light, make a left turn onto Route 50 heading east and travel until reaching Cambridge. Make a right-hand turn on Maryland Avenue and drive until crossing over the Cambridge Creek Bridge. Turn right onto Spring Street. The courthouse will be on the right.
Parking is available on Gay St. in the county parking lot and around the County courthouse on adjacent side streets. The parking lot is accessible from either High Street or Court Lane.
Protocol in the Courtroom
Retaining an attorney can help you understand courtroom protocol, concerning how you appear in court and address the judge. The attorney will advise you on how to dress appropriately for your court appearance. This will include business-like attire to ensure that you show all due respect to the courtroom.
Ideally, you will meet with your attorney well before your scheduled time to appear in court. This ensures that you are fully prepared when sitting and waiting for your case to be called. Once the clerk announces your case, you will meet up front with your attorney at the counsel table, or the podium.
You should always address the judge as “your honor” and only speak when being advised by your attorney, or asked a question by the judge. Even though being in court can be a nervous and frustrating ordeal, it is important that you speak calmly and respectfully at all times and never interrupt anyone, especially the judge.
Following Your Attorney’s Advice
Whether you are guilty of driving under the influence or not, it is important to use the skills of an experienced Dorchester County DUI defense attorney to represent you in DUI or traffic matters throughout the entire process. Being a defendant in any court case is always difficult, but conducting yourself in the right manner can make a world of difference in your case, and an attorney has the courtroom experience necessary to make sure that you are able to do this.
If you’ve been accused of driving drunk in Dorchester County or anywhere else in Maryland, do not face the court system all on your own. Place a call to an experienced DUI lawyer and schedule a free case consultation to start helping you through the process.