Governor Moore Appointed Nine Maryland Judges
The appointments include six new judges for Montgomery County and three for the Baltimore City Circuit Court.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Should local judges be appointed by the governor or elected by the voters in your area?
Governor Wes Moore announced nine new judicial appointments across Maryland on October 2, 2026. These selections were made following the recommendation of the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission.
Why it matters
Judicial appointments are critical to maintaining the functional capacity of the state court system. These nine jurists were selected to fill vacancies through the formal Maryland judicial selection process.
Governor Moore confirmed six appointments for Montgomery County and three for Baltimore City. One appointee, Carlotta Ann Woodward, brings 14 years of experience as a prosecutor to her new role.
The players
Wes Moore
Wes Moore is the Governor of Maryland who holds the authority to appoint judges to the state court system.
Carlotta Ann Woodward
Carlotta Ann Woodward is an attorney and former prosecutor with 14 years of legal experience now appointed to the bench.
Jason Brian Abbott
Jason Brian Abbott is a legal professional who previously served as general counsel for public safety and homeland security in Prince George's County.
Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission
The Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission is the state body responsible for vetting and recommending candidates for judicial vacancies in Maryland.
The details
The Montgomery County Circuit Court will receive Keith Joseph Rosa and Carlotta Ann Woodward, while Jason Brian Abbott, Rolando Julio Aleman, Howard Ray Cheris, and Seth Bradley Zucker will serve on the Montgomery County District Court. These appointments were finalized following a rigorous review by the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission.
Timeline
Governor Moore announced the nine judicial appointments on October 2, 2026.
Market Landscape
These appointments align with the established procedures of the Maryland judicial selection process. This maintains the consistency of the state legal system by filling vacancies through the state-mandated commission.
Residents of Montgomery County and Baltimore City will see new judges presiding over their local courtrooms. These changes ensure that the judiciary remains fully staffed to handle active criminal and civil cases.
The takeaway
The appointment of nine new judges underscores the ongoing administrative shifts within the Maryland judiciary. These selections fill vital roles required to ensure the continued efficiency of the state court system.
Further reading
Learn more about local leadership and legal personnel at Maryland People.
More information
For additional details on the new judicial appointments, visit the Maryland Governor official website.
Live Poll
Should local judges be appointed by the governor or elected by the voters in your area?
