--- title: "S. James Sarbanes * | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/s-james-sarbanes-md-circuit-wicomico" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # S. James Sarbanes * Circuit Court for Wicomico · Judge ## Profile - Court: Circuit Court for Wicomico - 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/s-james-sarbanes-md-circuit-wicomico", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/s-james-sarbanes-md-circuit-wicomico", "name": "S. James Sarbanes * | KnowJudges", "description": "S. James Sarbanes *, Circuit Court for Wicomico. 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/s-james-sarbanes-md-circuit-wicomico#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/s-james-sarbanes-md-circuit-wicomico#judge", "name": "S. James Sarbanes *", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/s-james-sarbanes-md-circuit-wicomico", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Circuit Court for Wicomico" }, "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": "S. James Sarbanes *", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/s-james-sarbanes-md-circuit-wicomico" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge S. James (Spyros James) Sarbanes is the County Administrative Judge for the Wicomico County Circuit Court in Maryland and, since August 16, 2021, the Administrative Judge of Maryland’s First Judicial Circuit - Career and Roles County Administrative Judge, Wicomico County Circuit Court since October 1, 2015 - Judge S. James Sarbanes is a Maryland state circuit court judge serving in Wicomico County and the broader First Judicial Circuit (Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties) - Former partner at Laws & Sarbanes, P.A. and associate at Adkins, Potts & Smethurst, LLP - Former law clerk to Judge Daniel M. Long and Judge Dale R. Cathell - Judge Sarbanes continues to serve as a key judicial leader in Maryland’s First Judicial Circuit ### Education - Widener University School of Law — J.D. (1999) - Salisbury University — B.S. (1993) ### Additional information - He was appointed to the bench on February 24, 2014, by Governor Martin O’Malley and sworn in on March 21, 2014 - Judge Sarbanes has served on numerous judicial committees, including the Court Technology Committee and the Conference of Circuit Judges, and has been active in community organizations such as the Life Crisis Center, Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, and local youth baseball programs ## 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.