Special Orders in Widely Publicized and Sensational Cases

VI. MISCELLANEOUS RULE 601.

DEFIN ITIONS 1.

The “Court” and the “Judge” Except in the Supplemental Admiralty and Maritime Rules (see LAR(a)(3 , the terms the “Court” and the “Judge” mean “United States Magistrate Judge” as to all proceedings pending before a United States Magistrate Judge. 2. Statutory References All references in these Local Rules to specific statutes or rules of procedure shall be deemed to apply to any amended or renumbered versions of such statutes or rules as may be promulgated in the future. 3.

“Affidavit” For purposes of these Rules, “affidavit” means either (1) a sworn statement the contents of which are affirmed under the penalties of perjury to be true or (2) an unsworn declaration as provided under 28 U.S.C. § 1746. Unless the applicable rule expressly requires the affidavit to be made on personal knowledge, the statement may be made to the best of the affiant’s knowledge, information, and belief. RULE 602.

FINES

Any attorney who fails to appear at or who is late for a proceeding scheduled by the Court or who shall fail to submit a timely status report to the Court may be fined by the Court up to $250.00. The Clerk shall maintain a record of fines imposed under this Rule and shall refer to the Disciplinary and Admissions Committee of the Court for appropriate action the name of any attorney against whom more than two (2) fines have been imposed within five (5) years. Nothing contained in this Rule shall be construed as limiting the power of a judge of this Court, in addition to imposing a fine hereunder, to assess costs against an attorney for a non-appearance or lateness, or to punish any such offending attorney in any other way for contempt of court. RULE 603.

SPECIAL ORDERS IN WIDELY PUBLICIZED AND SENSATIONAL CASES

In a widely publicized or sensational criminal or civil case, the Court, on motion of either party or on its own motion, in the exercise of its general powers, may issue a special order governing such matters as extrajudicial statements by parties and witnesses likely to interfere with the rights of the accused to a fair trial by an impartial jury, the seating and conduct in the courtroom of spectators and news media representatives, the management U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (December 1, 2025) 67