--- title: "James J. Dietrich | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-j-dietrich-md-circuit-montgomery" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James J. Dietrich Circuit Court for Montgomery · Judge ## Profile - Court: Circuit Court for Montgomery - 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/james-j-dietrich-md-circuit-montgomery", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-j-dietrich-md-circuit-montgomery", "name": "James J. 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Dietrich", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-j-dietrich-md-circuit-montgomery" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Adjunct Professor of Law at the Catholic University of America, teaching courses in evidence, criminal procedure, and trial practice, and was recognized as the university’s Adjunct Lecturer of the Year in 2022 - He volunteers as a youth basketball coach, serves as a Montgomery County Swim League stroke and turn judge, acts as a community pool president, and mentors high school students in mock trial programs ### Education - Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Le Moyne College in 1992 ### Additional information - He presides over family law, criminal, and civil cases and is required to run in the 2026 election to secure a 15-year term on the bench - James J. Dietrich joined the Montgomery County Circuit Court by Governor Wes Moore in October 2025, following a thorough vetting process that included interviews with bar associations, legal professionals, and community leaders - He also worked in the post-convictions unit in Montgomery County from 2018 to 2025 - Beyond his legal career, Judge Dietrich is active in community service - overseeing complex felony prosecutions - Prior to that, he spent 21 years with the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office, where he was Principal Attorney and Chief of the Major Crimes Division - Chief of the Felony Trial Division in the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, supervising young trial attorneys and prosecuting high-profile cases, including homicides and serious violent offenses ## 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.