The Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities announced a public hearing to address ethics charges against Anne Arundel County Orphans’ Court Chief Judge Vickie Gipson.
The hearing is scheduled for August 21, 22, and October 10, 2025, starting at 9:00 a.m. each day in Courtroom 4 of the Circuit Court for Howard County, located at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, Maryland. The proceedings, open to the public, will examine allegations outlined in cases CJD 2024-051, CJD 2024-053, CJD 2024-054, CJD 2024-069, and CJD 2024-109.
The charges stem from a prolonged dispute between Judge Gipson and fellow Orphans’ Court Judge Marc Knapp. Following an investigation, the commission’s investigative counsel concluded that Gipson violated provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The allegations center on Gipson’s actions as chief judge, which reportedly included restricting Knapp from performing judicial duties, such as working in the courtroom and signing court orders. These restrictions allegedly hindered Knapp’s judicial independence and disrupted the court’s operations.
The commission’s complaint also details an incident in which Gipson called law enforcement when Knapp refused to leave the courtroom. Additionally, in May 2024, Gipson sought a peace order against Knapp, citing concerns for her safety due to his alleged aggressive behavior. The commission’s findings indicate that both judges engaged in unprofessional altercations, but Gipson’s alleged misuse of her authority has drawn significant attention.
On March 26, 2025, Gipson submitted a formal response to the charges. In the response, Gipson denied any wrongdoing and described Knapp as the source of a hostile work environment. Her attorney argued that the commission’s actions unfairly targeted Gipson, exacerbating an already difficult situation. The response also expressed regret for the circumstances and suggested that earlier intervention by the commission, such as placing Knapp on administrative leave in April 2024, could have prevented the escalation of the conflict.
The commission’s investigation was initiated following Knapp’s legal issues, including a December indictment for illegally recording colleagues. Despite both judges’ involvement in the conflict, the current proceedings focus primarily on Gipson’s conduct as chief judge.
Gipson has served on the Orphans’ Court since 2018, while Knapp joined in 2022. The public hearing will allow the presentation of evidence and testimonies to determine whether Gipson’s actions constitute sanctionable conduct. If the commission finds grounds for discipline, the case will be forwarded to the Supreme Court of Maryland for further action.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
