ANNAPOLIS (July 19, 2016)—The District Court of Maryland has named St. Mary's County District Judge K. Christy Holt Chesser as the new administrative judge for District 4, which includes Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties.
District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey, in consultation with Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera, appointed Judge Chesser to the position of administrative judge, effective August 16.
Judge Chesser succeeds Judge Robert B. Riddle, who is retiring on August 16. He has been District 4 administrative judge since March 1, 2008 and has served on the Calvert County District Court since December 2005.
"I am deeply honored to have been given this new opportunity for service," Judge Chesser said. "With thanks to Judge Riddle, I intend to build on his fine example to provide efficient and effective justice for our citizens. I look forward to the opportunity to work collaboratively with the clerks, commissioners, and judges in District 4 as well as with members of the Judiciary from other Districts."
Judge Chesser has served on the St. Mary's County District Court since June 30, 2010. Before being appointed to the bench, she had been the county attorney for St. Mary's County since 2006. She was assistant state's attorney from 1989 to 1991 and deputy state's attorney for St. Mary's County from 1991 to 1998. She was in private practice from 1999 to 2006.
"I am very grateful to Judge Riddle for his service and excellent leadership, and I have every confidence that Judge Chesser will continue to improve the operations of the courts in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties," Chief Judge Morrissey said. "Her leadership skills and management experience will be valuable assets as we move forward to provide better services for the people in these communities and throughout Maryland."
"Skilled leaders like Judge Chesser are vital to helping us improve the Judiciary and meet the goal of providing fair, efficient, and effective justice for all," Chief Judge Barbera said. "I am glad she is taking on this new responsibility, and I look forward to working with her."