Background
The Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities investigated Judge Marc Knapp of the Orphans’ Court for Anne Arundel County across eight consolidated complaint proceedings (CJD 2024-033, -034, -035, -040, -046, -047, -052, and -068). Following its investigation, the Commission made findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a disciplinary recommendation, which it referred to the Supreme Court of Maryland pursuant to Maryland Rule 18-435(c) for final disposition under Rule 18-437.
The Commission concluded that Judge Knapp violated multiple provisions of the Maryland Code of Judicial Conduct, including rules governing compliance with the law (Rule 18-101.1), promoting confidence in the judiciary (Rule 18-101.2), bias, prejudice, and harassment (Rule 18-102.3), competence, diligence, and cooperation (Rule 18-102.5), decorum and communication (Rule 18-102.8(b)), and cooperation with disciplinary authorities (Rule 18-102.16). Judge Knapp filed exceptions to the Commission’s findings, which the Court considered along with the Commission’s response and arguments presented at a hearing on June 4, 2026.
Chief Justice Fader and Justice Killough did not participate in the matter. The remaining seven justices, including two senior justices specially assigned, heard the case and issued a per curiam order the same day as oral argument.
The Court’s Holding
The Supreme Court of Maryland affirmed that Judge Knapp committed one or more of the rule violations found by the Commission and ordered his immediate removal from office. The Court exercised its authority under Article IV, § 4B(b)(1) of the Maryland Constitution, which permits removal upon a finding of misconduct while in office, persistent failure to perform the duties of the office, or conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice.
Although the Commission had made its own recommendation as to disposition, the Court determined that removal — rather than any lesser sanction — was the appropriate outcome, citing the “egregious nature of the misconduct.” Under Maryland Rule 18-437(f)(1), the Court may impose the Commission’s recommended disposition or any other legally permissible disposition, and here it chose the most severe available remedy. A full written opinion explaining the Court’s reasoning is forthcoming.
Key Takeaways
- Judge Knapp was removed immediately from his position as an Orphans’ Court judge in Anne Arundel County, effective June 4, 2026.
- The Court found violations spanning six separate rules of judicial conduct, including rules on bias and harassment, competence, and failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities.
- The Supreme Court of Maryland is not bound by the Commission’s recommended sanction and exercised its independent authority to impose removal based on the egregious nature of the conduct.
- A full explanatory opinion was not yet issued; the Court acted by per curiam order with a written opinion to follow.
Why It Matters
Judicial removal is among the most serious disciplinary outcomes in the Maryland system, reserved for misconduct the court deems too severe for lesser sanctions such as censure or suspension. This decision underscores that violations of bias and harassment rules, combined with failures to cooperate with disciplinary authorities, can cumulatively warrant the ultimate sanction of removal from the bench.
The case also illustrates the Supreme Court of Maryland’s plenary authority over judicial discipline referrals — it may go beyond or depart from the Commission’s own recommendation, including by imposing removal where the Commission may have suggested something less. Attorneys and judges in Maryland should note that non-cooperation with the Commission’s investigative process itself constitutes a separate and independently sanctionable violation.