In the Matter of Hon. Knapp

• Court: Court of Appeals of Maryland
• Decided: June 4, 2026
• Docket: 1jd/25
• Status: Published

Opinion

Argued: June 4, 2026

IN THE SUPREME COURT

OF MARYLAND

JD No. 1

September Term, 2025 ______________________________________

IN THE MATTER OF THE HONORABLE MARC KNAPP, JUDGE OF THE ORPHANS’ COURT FOR ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY ______________________________________

Watts Booth Biran Gould Eaves Harrell, Glenn T. (Senior Justice, Specially Assigned) McDonald, Robert N. (Senior Justice, Specially Assigned),

JJ. ______________________________________

PER CURIAM ______________________________________

Filed: June 4, 2026

*Fader, C.J., and Killough, J., did not participate in this matter. Pursuant to the Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act (§§ 10-1601 et seq. of the State Government Article) this document is authentic.

2026.06.04 14:29:48 -04'00' Gregory Hilton, Clerk * IN THE

IN THE MATTER * SUPREME COURT OF THE HONORABLE MARC KNAPP, JUDGE OF THE * OF MARYLAND ORPHANS’ COURT FOR ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY * JD No. 1

* September Term, 2025

PER CURIAM ORDER

WHEREAS, the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities, pursuant to

Maryland Rule 18-435(c), referred to this Court its findings, conclusions of law, and

recommendation, along with the record, in In the Matter of the Honorable Marc Knapp,

Judge of the Orphans’ Court for Anne Arundel County, Case Nos. CJD 2024-033, CJD

2024-034, CJD 2024-035, CJD 2024-040, CJD 2024-046, CJD 2024-047, CJD 2024-052,

and CJD 2024-068, for the Court’s consideration pursuant to Maryland Rule 18-437;

WHEREAS, this Court has considered the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law,

Order and Recommendation filed by the Commission, “Judge Knapp’s Exceptions to

Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommendation of the Commission on Judicial

Disabilities,” “Response of the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities to Judge

Knapp’s Exceptions to Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommendation of the

Commission on Judicial Disabilities,” “Judge Knapp’s Memorandum Concerning the

Denial of His Moti[o]n In Limine,” “Response of the Maryland Commission on Judicial

Disabilities to Judge Knapp’s Memorandum,” and the parties’ arguments at a hearing

before this Court on June 4, 2026; WHEREAS, the Commission has determined that Judge Knapp violated Maryland

Rules 18-101.1 (Compliance with the Law), 18-101.2 (Promoting Confidence in the

Judiciary), 18-102.3 (Bias, Prejudice, and Harassment), 18-102.5 (Competence, Diligence,

and Cooperation), 18-102.8(b) (Decorum, Demeanor, and Communication with Jurors),

and 18-102.16 (Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities);

WHEREAS, the Court has concluded that Judge Knapp committed one or more of

the violations determined by the Commission;

WHEREAS, Maryland Rule 18-437(f)(1) provides that this Court may impose the

disposition recommended by the Commission or any other disposition permitted by law;

WHEREAS, Article IV, § 4B(b)(1) of the Constitution of Maryland provides that,

upon any recommendation of the Commission, this Court, after a hearing and upon a

finding of misconduct while in office, or of persistent failure to perform the duties of the

office, or of conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice, may remove the

judge from office;

WHEREAS, this Court has carefully considered the Commission’s

recommendation and has concluded that, based on the egregious nature of the misconduct

in this case, removal pursuant to Article IV, § 4B(b)(1) is the appropriate disposition;

Now, therefore, for reasons to be stated in an opinion later to be filed, it is this 4th

day of June 2026,

ORDERED, by the Supreme Court of Maryland, that, effective immediately, Marc

Knapp is hereby removed from office as a Judge of the Orphans’ Court for Anne Arundel

County.

-2- /s/ Shirley M. Watts Senior Justice

*Neither Chief Justice Fader nor Justice Killough participated in the consideration of this matter.

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