--- title: "Shirley M. Watts | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/shirley-marie-watts-md-supreme-court-sixth-appellate" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-09" --- # Shirley M. Watts Supreme Court of Maryland · Justice ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Maryland - State: Maryland - Role: Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of Maryland, 2013-present - Selected as an Associate Judge on the Baltimore City Circuit Court, 8th Judicial Circuit, from 2002 to 2011, and then served on the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, 6th Appellate Circuit, from 2011 to 2013 On July 3, 2013, Governor Martin O'Malley nominated Watts to the Maryland Court of Appeals (now the Supreme Court of Maryland) - She has also held the role of an adjunct professor at the Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America, — 1993–1996 ### Education - Rutgers University School of Law in — J.D. (1983) - Howard University in — B.A. (1980) ### Additional information - Judge, 2012-2012 - Began her legal career as an Assistant State's Attorney in Baltimore City, serving in the Juvenile, Misdemeanor, and Felony Trial Divisions — 1984–1988 - Shirley Marie Watts, born March 6, 1959, in Baltimore, Maryland, has had a distinguished legal and judicial career - Date of birth: 1959-01-01 - representing the 6th Appellate Circuit (Baltimore City) - Rutgers School of Law–Camden - Birth place: Baltimore ## 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/appellate/clerkships) - [Official roster](https://www.mdcourts.gov/appellate/clerkships) - [Maryland Courts official judicial roster](https://www.mdcourts.gov/appellate/clerkships) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4716/shirley-m-watts/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4716/shirley-m-watts/) - [Official biography source for Shirley Marie Watts](https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/import/hr/pdfs/judges_list_external.pdf) - [Wikidata: Shirley M. Watts](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16206651) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/shirley-marie-watts-md-supreme-court-sixth-appellate", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/shirley-marie-watts-md-supreme-court-sixth-appellate", "name": "Shirley M. Watts | KnowJudges", "description": "Shirley M. Watts, Supreme Court of Maryland. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-09", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/shirley-marie-watts-md-supreme-court-sixth-appellate#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/shirley-marie-watts-md-supreme-court-sixth-appellate#judge", "name": "Shirley M. 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