Towson Courthouse Parking and Logistics

The Towson Courthouse is the hub of the Baltimore County court system and one of the busiest courthouses in Maryland. Located in downtown Towson, it houses the Baltimore County Circuit Court and works alongside the Baltimore County District Court in Towson to handle everything from serious criminal cases and major civil lawsuits to family law matters and jury trials.

People visiting the Towson courthouse are usually seeking very specific information. Parking at the Baltimore County Circuit Court can be confusing if you have not been there before, especially on jury duty days. Jury duty in Baltimore County typically requires reporting to the Towson courthouse early in the morning. Knowing where to park, which building you need, and how long security lines can take can save unnecessary stress.

This page is designed to answer the questions people actually have about the Towson courthouse. That includes where to park for the Baltimore County Circuit Court, what to expect if you have jury duty in Baltimore County, how the Towson District Court fits into the larger courthouse system, and which judges are currently sitting in Towson. Whether you are appearing for a court hearing, reporting for jury duty, or navigating the Baltimore County courthouse for the first time, this page provides straightforward, usable information without the guesswork.

The Circuit Court for Baltimore County in Towson is the primary trial court with jurisdiction over all serious criminal cases, major civil cases, and family law matters arising within the County. All of the following types of cases fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Baltimore County Circuit Court:

• ALL jury trials (criminal or civil)
• Felony Criminal Cases
• Civil Cases over $30,000
• Family Law (divorce/child custody)

The Circuit Court also hears appeals from the District Court and certain state administrative agencies.

The Baltimore County Circuit Court is located in the County Courts Building in the center of downtown Towson. The County Courts Building is prominently located on Bosley Avenue (the main road running north/south through Towson) in between Pennsylvania Ave to the north and Chesapeake Ave to the south.

The Baltimore County Courts Building

County Courts Building
401 Bosley Ave
Towson, MD 21204

The Towson Circuit Court has been located on the same patch of land in Towson ever since Baltimore City and County were separated into 2 jurisdictions in 1851. Towson (then called “Towsontown”) was selected as the County seat by popular vote and construction of the first courthouse was completed in 1855. This first courthouse was built on the same block of land between Pennsylvania and Chesapeake Avenues and still stands today just across the plaza facing the current County Courts Building.

The original or “historic” County Courthouse is an impressive Greek Revival-style building constructed with white limestone with an A-frame roof and a domed cupola. The historic Courthouse was expanded and enlarged in 1910, 1925 and for a third and final time in 1958. The historic Courthouse housed the Circuit Court for Baltimore for over 100 years and today it is used for County government offices.

After WWII, suburban development led to a rapid population growth in Baltimore County. By the 1960s, the old historic Courthouse was no longer adequate, and plans were made for the construction of a new facility on the same block. Construction of the new Baltimore County Courts Building was completed in 1970, and the Circuit Court moved in.

The County Courts Building is just a short walk west of the old Towson courthouse. The new and old courthouses face each other across an elevated plaza that features landscaping, seating, and memorials. It is definitely a good-looking courthouse that sits nicely in what seems like the center of that area of “downtown Towson.”

The County Courts Building (still often referred to as the “new” Towson courthouse) is a large, 4-level rectangular building with a white/grey stone exterior. It straddles Bosley Avenue, the main street north-south throughway that cuts through Towson. The building stretches along Bosley from Pennsylvania Ave to Chesapeake Ave, and it dominates the surrounding area.

If you are driving through Towson on Bosley Ave the Court Courts Building is a major landmark that is impossible to overlook. This makes the Court Building very easy to locate for first-time visitors.

Towson Courthouse Parking, Security and Navigation

Getting into and navigating around the Towson courthouse is very straightforward. There are two entrances to the County Courts Building, both in the center of the building on separate sides. The primary entrance is on the “front side” of the building facing east towards the plaza and the historic Courthouse.

This entrance has a normal security checkpoint with metal detectors and security guards. At peak times in the morning, you can definitely expect a sizeable line to form at this entrance but it usually moves fairly quickly. The second entrance is on the “back” side of the building on the ground- that faces Bosley Ave. This entrance has less capacity, so lines to get through security tend to move more slowly.

Parking for the Circuit Court in Baltimore County is also comparatively easy to handle. There are three very large parking garages within a 2-block radius of the County Courts Building. One is just north of the Courthouse on Pennsylvania Ave and the other 2 are a block south on Susquehanna Ave. Below is a list and description of each parking garage.

Baltimore Avenue Garage 110 W. Susquehanna Ave Towson, MD 21204 MAP Directly south of the Courthouse plaza this garage is very open and spacious and there are always parking spots on the top levels.
Washington Avenue Garage 100 W. Susquehanna Ave Towson, MD 21204 MAPRight next to the Baltimore Ave Garage, This garage is small and more cramped.
Pennsylvania Ave Garage 210 W. Pennsylvania Ave Towson, MD 21204 MAPThis garage is actually the closest to the Towson Courthouse. But most people pass by it before realizing it is even there. At the bottom of an office building, the entrance is at the corner of Bosley and Pennsylvania.

Jury Duty Information

All adult residents of Baltimore County can be summoned to appear for jury duty. Baltimore County does not have nearly as many jury trials as Baltimore City, but they are becoming more common as the volume of civil case filings in the County increases.

If summoned for jury duty, you should follow the instructions on your summons very carefully. Jurors can park for free in the Baltimore Avenue Garage at 110 W. Susquehanna, but they will need to bring their parking ticket in and get it validated in the Jury Commissioner’s office.

Judges and Magistrates

The Circuit Court in Towson currently has 20 active judges led by Administrative Judge Kathleen Cox. Family law matters are handled by 7 family magistrates. A list of the judges in Baltimore County below:

• Jan Marshall Alexander

• Sherrie R. Bailey

• Michael S. Barranco

• Andrew M. Battista

• Robert E. Cahill, Jr.

• Colleen A. Cavanaugh

• Evelyn Lombardo Cusson

• Patricia M. DeMaio

• Marc A. DeSimone, Jr.

• Judith C. Ensor

• Wendy S. Epstein

• Michael J. Finifter

• Julie L. Glass

• Garret P. Glennon

• Paul J. Hanley

• Stacy A. Mayer

• Ralph L. Sapia

• Thomas R. Tompsett, Jr.