Md. Rule 8-306 (2026)

(a) Generally. In a matter in which a direct appeal to the Supreme Court is authorized by statute or other law, and upon the filing of such a notice of appeal, the Supreme Court may direct the lower court promptly to transmit the record and may take any of the following actions allowed by law, with or without briefing or oral argument:

(1) Dismiss the appeal pursuant to Rule 8-602;

(2) Affirm the judgment that is the source of the appeal;

(3) Vacate or reverse the judgment that is the source of the appeal; or

(4) Remand the appeal to the lower court to modify the judgment or for proceedings as directed by order of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court may elect to retain appellate jurisdiction over an appeal in an order directing a remand.

(b) Briefing; Oral Argument.

(1) Briefing. After a review of the record, the Supreme Court may direct the parties to brief the issues on appeal pursuant to Rules 8-503 and 8-504. An order from the Supreme Court requiring briefs to be filed shall establish a time that transcripts must be ordered by the parties and submitted to the Court.

(2) Submission; Oral Argument. After briefing is completed pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of this Rule, the Supreme Court may decide the appeal based on the briefs submitted or may schedule oral argument.

(c) Expedited Direct Appeals. The Supreme Court, as authorized by statute, other law, or on its own initiative, may expedite the briefing, oral argument, and consideration of a direct appeal considered under this Rule.

Cross reference: For examples of Code provisions governing direct appeal to the Supreme Court of Maryland, see Code, Criminal Procedure Article, § 8-201 (Petition for DNA Testing and Preservation of Scientific Identification Evidence); Code, Election Law Article, § 5-305 (Petitions Challenging Residency of Candidate); Code, Election Law Article, § 6-209 (Judicial Review); Code, Election Law Article, § 6-210 (Schedule of Process); Code, Election Law Article, § 9-209 (Judicial Review of Ballot); Code, Election Law Article, § 12-203 (Appeal Proceedings); Code, Election Law Article, § 16-1004 (Injunction to Prohibit Violation of § 16-201 of Election Law Title); Code, Financial Institutions Article, § 9-712 (Pledge, Transfer, or Sale of Assets); and Code, Public Utilities Article, § 7-528 (Effective Date of Qualified Rate Orders).

Source: This Rule is new.

Credits

[Adopted Nov. 19, 1987, eff. July 1, 1988. Amended Nov. 12, 2003, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Feb. 9, 2022, eff. April 1, 2022; April 21, 2023, eff. nunc pro tunc April 1, 2023; Feb. 23, 2026, eff. Feb. 23, 2026.]