"The Robing Room: MD State Judges

Hon. Mark W. Crooks	See Rating Details
Circuit Judge Circuit Court
Anne Arundel County 5th Circuit	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 8.6 - 12 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 6.0 - 5 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

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What others have said about Hon. Mark W. Crooks

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD9476
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Crooks was very kind towards my AA clinet - gave a modification. He showed real compassion. If he's "full of racial bias", I sure as hell didn't see it. Quite the opposite, he seemed color blind and sincere. Didn't see the guy last 2 commenters describe ... at all. Thank you, Judge.

Litigant

Comment #: MD9463
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Displays a pathological lack of integrity, in that he lies gratuitously, to all parties, about matters great and small, with the objective of molding whatever matter is before him to suit his preferred result--which in a criminal case, is always the conviction an maximum punishment of the accused. This lack of integrity may have served Crooks well as a prosecutor in New York City and as an AUSA in Baltimore, but it makes him flagrantly unfit to be a judge, particularly in criminal matters.

Other

Comment #: MD9378
Rating:1.0

Comments:
`This judge is blatantly full of racial bias, as well as displaying little care for nuanced facts. Judge Crooks rules in favor based upon who the lawyer is before the case is even read and displayed very little compassion. Avoid if possible !!!

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: MD9330
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Extremely intelligent and capable of handling complex matters

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD9297
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Crooks displayed legal knowledge, a stern treatment of the defendant, and a compassion for the victim. As a victim's rights attorney that practices through out Maryland, I was impressed with his management of the legal process and proud to have him represent the judicial process in operation. Note: he ruled in favor of the defendant in our case.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD9291
Rating:10.0

Comments:
A++++. SO GRATEFUL FOR JUDGE CROOKS. HE BROUGHT COMPLEX WEIGHTY CASE DOWN FOR A SMOOTH LANDING THAT WAS BENEFICIAL TO MULTIPLE PARTIES. PATIENT AS SUMMER IS LONG!! HE READ EVERY FILING. EVERY SENTENCE. EVERY WORD. KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD9268
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I waited several years so that I had sufficient data points with this Judge before entering a rating. Consistently he has been the best state court judge I have run across and even gives the Maryland Federal bench a "run for the money," such that I consider him one of the best judges before whom I have had the pleasure of appearing.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD9058
Rating:10.0

Comments:
This judge is fantastic. Unexpectedly, J. Crooks held our matter under advisement and issued a thoughtful and well-reasoned written opinion. We didn't prevail on several claims but we greatly appreciate how carefully he addressed our evidence and arguments, notwithstanding him denying us relief.

Other

Comment #: MD8982
Rating:10.0

Comments:
The Commodore is recognized as the Court's most talented, pleasant, and (since 2018) knowledgeable judge. The bar and bench hold Judge Crooks in high regard, dog case notwithstanding. Keeps his docket moving. His decisions are issued promptly. He will eventually be appointed to an appellate or federal court. A true 10-star flag officer of the bench.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD8444
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Crooks is intelligent, fair, prepared and very well tempered on the bench. He has handled with ease very complex civil and criminal cases. He is a pleasure to appear in front of, even when the ruling doesn't go in your favor. He will listen to mitigation, and can be persuaded.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD8371
Rating:9.7

Comments:
He's popular among defense bar and prosecutors a like because he's fair and listens. He's when he has to be and lenient when greater understanding calls for mercy.

Litigant

Comment #: MD8295
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
used humor to put everyone at ease. but very serious about case itself. great attitude and disposition. maybe a bit too colloquial but better that than stiff or arrogant. fair even-handed good judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD8270
Rating:9.8

Comments:
This young judge was thoughtful, prepared and patient. Took the bench a few minutes late but appeared to be juggling other matters. Outstanding temperament. Never lost his cool during tense civil hearing involving huge sums and passions running high. Also, crazy smart.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD8239
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Qualifications: dipped his toes in Maryland for a few years, worked for Larry Hogan for a few years, gets lifetime job. Knows nothing about business cases, doesn't bother to learn and rewards unethical attorneys. The very definition of what politics does to the bench.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD8220
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Comment #: MD8219

A certain "unscrupulous" opposing counsel painted the walls throughout his law firm with support & advocacy posters supporting Crooks for Judgeship.

Obvious which side he will demonstrate favoritism. :)

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD8219
Rating:1.9

Comments:
Lazy. Doesn't appear to read the pleadings or like to spend time with complex issues and seems to rule based on who the attorneys are in the case. Avoid him on discovery issues at all costs if you are the one who is subject of an unscrupulous opposing counsel who likes to run up billable hours.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD7958
Rating:1.4

Comments:
Sentencing a man to ten years for stealing flowers is ridiculous and draconian when a Naval academy graduate was caught breaking and entering and got no jail time. What disparity in sentencing from this court. Another unjustified pick by the judicial nominating commission.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD7684
Rating:10.0

Comments:
One of the best in the State of Maryland!

Other

Comment #: MD7682
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Crooks is a very refreshing addition to the Circuit Court. Judges are (understandably) often distracted on the bench, even while the attorneys are speaking about the issues. Judge Crooks, though, seems to listen intently, which shows great respect for the hard work that most attorneys put into their cases. Seeing motions both granted and denied by Judge Crooks, the attention to detail he puts into his decisions is much appreciated.

Other

Comment #: MD7188
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I've heard of a "hanging judge".... but a "hanging-chad judge"? Duvall County machines got lost? Suuure. Recount, recount, recount. This time by the Black Knight student-body.