Supreme Court of Maryland Removes Judge Marc Knapp from Orphans’ Court for Egregious Misconduct

On Thursday, June 4, 2026, the Supreme Court of Maryland removed Judge Marc Knapp from his position as Judge of the Orphans’ Court for Anne Arundel County, citing egregious misconduct. This decision followed a recommendation from the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities, which had found Knapp in violation of multiple judicial conduct rules.

The commission’s recommendation stemmed from findings related to Knapp’s conduct and disputes with other court officials. These proceedings, held in the Howard County Circuit Court, involved the commission’s investigative counsel presenting a case against Knapp, after which the judge had the opportunity to present his defense. The commission, composed of judges, lawyers, and civilians, reached a unanimous decision.

The accusations against Knapp arose from a longstanding dispute with Vickie Gipson, the chief judge of the Anne Arundel probate court. Their disagreements were described as audibly disruptive and visible to the public, leading Gipson to twice summon county police and seek a peace order against Knapp. Knapp admitted during his testimony to cursing at colleagues, belittling them, and making insulting remarks to then-Orphans’ Court Judge David Duba and Gipson.

The commission concluded that Knapp’s behavior was so severe that it could not be rectified with a punishment less severe than removal. They stated that his misconduct was pervasive and severe, occurring on the bench, to court staff, and to judicial colleagues. Furthermore, the commission found that Knapp destroyed evidence in front of Anne Arundel County Police, exhibited bias, failed to cooperate with law enforcement, was not fully credible before the commission, and regularly cursed during his testimony.

Knapp had previously been unsuccessfully prosecuted by the Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor on charges of illegally recording his colleagues. However, an Anne Arundel Circuit Court judge found the recording was illegally obtained by police, leading to the dismissal of that case.

The Supreme Court of Maryland considered the commission’s findings, conclusions of law, and recommendations, as well as Knapp’s exceptions and the commission’s responses. The court concluded that Knapp committed one or more violations determined by the commission and found that removal was the appropriate disposition due to the egregious nature of the misconduct. The court’s order for removal was effective immediately.