Supreme Court of Maryland holds off-site oral arguments at Guilford Park High School in Howard County for 700 students
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2026
Government Relations and Public Affairs
187 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Supreme Court of Maryland holds off-site oral arguments at Guilford Park High School in Howard County for 700 students
JESSUP, Md. – On Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Supreme Court of Maryland held oral arguments at Guilford Park High School before more than 700 high school students from 13 Howard County public high schools, two private schools, and the Homewood Center. The Supreme Court of Maryland holds off-site oral arguments at secondary or post-secondary educational institutions twice per term year at geographically diverse locations.
“By holding off-site oral arguments, the Supreme Court of Maryland can provide students, teachers, and community members with a valuable opportunity to witness the judicial system first-hand,” said Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, Supreme Court of Maryland.
Chief Justice Fader represents the Third Appellate Judicial Circuit, which includes Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, and Washington counties. “I am excited to assist in bringing this civics education opportunity to Howard County, where local students and the public will learn how the courts operate. On behalf of the court, I thank Howard County Public School System Superintendent William Barnes and Guilford Park High School Principal Josh Wasilewski and their staffs for their support of this program, which brings civics education directly to students and the community.”
Students from private schools Chapelgate Christian Academy and the Glenelg County School attended along with students from the Homewood Center and 13 Howard County Public Schools, including Atholton High School, Centennial High School, Glenelg High School, Guilford Park High School, Hammond High School, Howard High School, Long Reach High School, Marriotts Ridge High School, Mount Hebron High School, Oakland Mills High School, Reservoir High School, River Hill High School, and Wilde Lake High School.
After oral arguments were heard, the students participated in a question-and-answer session with the justices covering topics such as judicial procedures, their paths to the bench, and educational advice for aspiring lawyers.
“I am grateful our students had the opportunity to receive such special access to see Maryland’s judicial branch in action, observing how judges make decisions that can affect people across our state,” said Howard County Public School System Superintendent William Barnes. “Real-world opportunities like this allow students to envision future careers in the legal field, and I want to thank the Maryland Supreme Court and its justices for devoting their time and expertise in service of our students.”
The Supreme Court of Maryland heard oral argument in two cases, Chase Marco Wilson v. State of Maryland, and Alita Gaskill v. Shareef Lewis, et al. In Chase Marco Wilson v. State of Maryland, No. 002, Sept. Term, 2026, the court is addressing when a trial court must instruct the jury on whether the defendant’s mistaken belief of facts could negate the mental state required to support a conviction for murder.
In Alita Gaskill v. Shareef Lewis, et al., No. 004, Sept. Term 2026, the court is considering (1) whether the same standard applies in civil and criminal cases in determining whether an irreconcilably inconsistent jury verdict has been preserved for appellate review; (2) whether a jury’s verdict awarding compensatory damages against the state as well as punitive damages against a state official is irreconcilably inconsistent; and (3) the propriety of a non-pattern jury instruction concerning free speech rights.
The Supreme Court’s off-site oral arguments are made possible by the Amended Administrative Order on the Supreme Court of Maryland Sitting Temporarily Outside of the City of Annapolis. The justice from the host circuit selects the educational institution to hold oral arguments, with the approval of the full Supreme Court.
The Appellate Court of Maryland also holds oral arguments outside of Annapolis and traditionally holds one day of oral arguments at University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in the fall and at University of Baltimore School of Law in the spring. However, legislation approved by the Maryland General Assembly in 2025, HB 786, authorizes the Appellate Court of Maryland to hold sessions at secondary and post-secondary educational institutions in Maryland, as designated by the chief judge of the Appellate Court of Maryland.
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