Release of Information by Court Personnel

the investigating and arresting officer or agency, and the length of the investigation; from making an announcement, at the time of seizure of any physical evidence other than a confession, admission, or statement, which is limited to a description of the evidence seized; from disclosing the nature, substance, or text of the charge, including a brief description of the offense charged; from quoting or referring without comment to public court records in the case; from announcing the scheduling or result of any stage in the judicial process; from requesting assistance in obtaining evidence; or from announcing without further comment that the accused denies the charges which have been made. 4. Trial During a jury trial, including the period of selection of the jury, no lawyer associated with the prosecution or defense shall give or authorize any extra-judicial statement or interview, relating to the trial or the parties or issues in the trial, for dissemination by any means of public communication, except that the lawyer may quote from or refer without comment to public court records in the case. 5.

Scope of Rule Nothing in this Rule is intended to preclude the formulation or application of more restrictive rules relating to the release of information about juvenile or other offenders; to preclude the holding of hearings or the lawful issuance of reports by legislative, administrative, or investigative bodies; or to preclude any lawyer from replying to any public charges of misconduct that are made. 6. Penalty Any violation of this Rule may be treated as a contempt of court and may subject the violator to the disciplinary action of the Court. RULE 205.

RELEASE OF INFORMATION BY COURT PERSONNEL

No person associated with the Court, including any member of the Clerk’s Office, of the U.S. Marshals Service, the staff of any judge or magistrate judge, and any court reporter shall directly or indirectly disclose to any person, without prior authorization by the Court, any information relating to a pending investigation or case which is not part of the public court records. By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, no court personnel shall divulge any information concerning arguments and hearings held in chambers or otherwise outside the presence of the public. U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (December 1, 2025) 39