--- title: "Cheri N. Simpkins | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cheri-n-simpkins-md-circuit-prince-georges" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Cheri N. Simpkins Circuit Court for Prince George's · Judge ## Profile - Court: Circuit Court for Prince George's - State: Maryland - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### remote proceedings Scope: statewide Maryland trial courts may conduct remote electronic proceedings when authorized by rule, and the court may permit or require participants to appear by remote electronic communications. Evidence excerpt: the court may permit or require one or more participants, or all participants, to join the proceeding by means of remote electronic communications. [Remote Hearings and Proceedings](https://www.mdcourts.gov/remotehearings) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote recording Scope: statewide For Maryland remote proceedings, the required recording is made by the court, and participants should not make their own audio or video recording unless the court permits it. Evidence excerpt: Proceedings conducted via videoconferencing technology must be recorded by the court [Remote Hearings and Proceedings](https://www.mdcourts.gov/remotehearings) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### electronic devices Scope: statewide Maryland permits electronic devices in court facilities only in accordance with court rules and orders; attorneys may use devices reasonably for a proceeding if silent, positioned away from the trier of fact or witnesses, not used for recording, and not used for unauthorized communication. Evidence excerpt: attorneys are permitted the reasonable and lawful use of an electronic device in connection with the proceeding provided that [NOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities](https://www.mdcourts.gov/reference/cellphonenotice) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### photography video recording Scope: statewide Maryland prohibits taking, recording, or transmitting photographs, videos, or other visual images in court facilities unless the court expressly grants permission in a specific instance. Evidence excerpt: The taking, recording, or transmitting of photographs, videos, or other visual images by cell phone or any other device is prohibited in the court facility at all times [NOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities](https://www.mdcourts.gov/reference/cellphonenotice) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/hr/pdfs/judges_list_external.pdf) - [Official roster](https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/hr/pdfs/judges_list_external.pdf) - [Maryland Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/hr/pdfs/judges_list_external.pdf) - [Remote Hearings and Proceedings](https://www.mdcourts.gov/remotehearings) - [NOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities](https://www.mdcourts.gov/reference/cellphonenotice) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cheri-n-simpkins-md-circuit-prince-georges", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cheri-n-simpkins-md-circuit-prince-georges", "name": "Cheri N. 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Simpkins", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cheri-n-simpkins-md-circuit-prince-georges" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Cheri Nicole Simpkins currently serves as an Associate Judge on the Prince George’s County Circuit Court, part of Maryland’s 7th Judicial Circuit, having been appointed by Governor Wes Moore in January 2024 - Prior to this appointment, she held the role of an Associate Judge on the District Court of Maryland, District 5, Prince George’s County, from August 2017 to January 2024, where she managed a high-volume docket of criminal misdemeanors, civil cases, landlord-tenant disputes, domestic violence petitions, and traffic matters - Adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Baltimore School of Law ### Education - Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center — J.D. (2000) - University of South Florida - B.A., English, 1997 ### Additional information - She is also a Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation since 2024 - Her accolades include being named among Maryland’s 100 Top Women by the Daily Record in 2023, receiving the Stephen P. Lemmey Award for public service, and the Hispanic Leadership Award in 2025 - She briefly practiced family law with Butler, McKeon & Associates, P.A., from 2006 to 2007 - Engaged in community and educational initiatives, such as the Schools in the Court program, which introduces students to real court proceedings - Before joining the bench, Judge Simpkins spent 14 years as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Prince George’s County, holding leadership positions such as Chief of the Juvenile Division and Assistant Chief of the District Court Division - She specialized in prosecuting sensitive cases, including child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and technology-facilitated child exploitation, and also worked in the Special Victims Unit and Drug Court teams - In this role, she presides over major criminal, civil, and family law cases, including complex criminal jury trials, high-stakes custody disputes, and significant civil litigation - A native of New York, New York, Judge Simpkins resides in Bowie, Maryland - She is a member of civic and social organizations such as Jack and Jill of America, The Links, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority - She is admitted to the Maryland Bar and is an active member of multiple professional organizations, including the Maryland State Bar Association, Prince George’s County Bar Association, Maryland Hispanic Bar Association, J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, and Women’s Bar Association of Maryland ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Remote Hearings and Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8d7f2b6c1b52f4889f91cdbe) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.mdcourts.gov/remotehearings). Collected 2026-07-26. - [NOTICE Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Cameras in Court Facilities](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-9a7f81ce806c87a1ae6dac48) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.mdcourts.gov/reference/cellphonenotice). Collected 2026-07-26.