Judicial Circuits and two from the Sixth Appellate Judicial Circuit (Baltimore City), but a Constitutional amendment realigned the circuits to create seven circuits with one judge from each. Since 1975, the Court of Appeals has heard cases almost exclusively by way of certiorari. As a result, the Court's formerly excessive workload has been reduced to a more manageable level, thus allowing the Court to devote more time to the most important and far-reaching issues. Prior to 2022, the Court joined the New York Court of Appeals in being the only two state highest courts to bear the name "Court of Appeals" rather than "Supreme Court", though the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is that state's highest criminal court that bears the name "Court of Appeals". In the 2022 general election held on November 8, 2022, voters approved a constitutional amendment to change the name of the court to the "Supreme Court of Maryland", and the title of its judges to "Justice." It became effective on December 14, 2022. See also Courts of Maryland Government of Maryland Appellate Court of Maryland References External links Homepage for the Supreme Court of Maryland Information from the Maryland Archives Maryland Constitution, Article IV: Judiciary Department Red Robes and the Maryland Court of Appeals Judicial Records from The Archives of Maryland Court Overview | Maryland Courts State supreme courts of the United States Maryland state courts 1776 establishments in Maryland Courts and tribunals established in 1776