--- title: "Melvin J. Jews | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melvin-j-jews-md-district-dorchester" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Melvin J. Jews District Court for Dorchester · Judge ## Profile - Court: District Court for Dorchester - 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/melvin-j-jews-md-district-dorchester", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melvin-j-jews-md-district-dorchester", "name": "Melvin J. Jews | KnowJudges", "description": "Melvin J. Jews, District Court for Dorchester. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-26", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melvin-j-jews-md-district-dorchester#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melvin-j-jews-md-district-dorchester#judge", "name": "Melvin J. Jews", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melvin-j-jews-md-district-dorchester", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "District Court for Dorchester" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/hr/pdfs/judges_list_external.pdf" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Maryland", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/maryland" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Melvin J. Jews", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melvin-j-jews-md-district-dorchester" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - The District Administrative Judge for District 2 of the Maryland District Court, covering Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties, a role he has held since September 1, 2024 - 2014–present: Associate Judge, Dorchester County District Court - In August 2024, he was named District Administrative Judge for District 2 - Appointed by then‐Governor Martin O’Malley in 2014 as an associate judge for the Dorchester County District Court ### Education - in Government & Politics — University of Maryland, College Park — B.A. (1982) ### Additional information - He succeeded Gerald V. Purnell, who retired in October 2024 - Chief of Litigation, Housing Authority of Baltimore City (1995–2001). - overseeing court administration, trial calendars, and case management across the four counties. - Judge Jews has served on the Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee, Legislative Committee, and Equal Justice Committee of the Maryland Judicial Council. - He has also been active in community and legal service organizations, including the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers, Mid‐Shore Council for Pro‐Bono Services, Mid‐Shore Council on Family Violence, and the Salvation Army - Award by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation for outstanding contributions to access to justice ## 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.