BY KRISSI HUMBARD — A Hyattsville resident is now a county circuit court judge.

Judge Peter Killough was appointed to the Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge by Gov. Larry Hogan on Nov. 29, 2017. Killough was sworn in on Jan. 5.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve Prince George’s County as a Circuit Court judge,” Killough said. “I will go to work every day with one guiding principle: to do the very best for the people of our county.”

Killough was surrounded by his wife, Jamila, his four children and his mother during the ceremony, his wife said. Killough was robed by his four children.

 

The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County handles civil and criminal jury and non-jury trials, as well as family and juvenile matters. The circuit court is part of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Maryland. The circuit court for Prince George’s County includes 23 full-time judges. Killough is the only judge from Hyattsville.

Gov. Hogan made the appointments after reviewing applicants to and nominees from the Judicial Nominating Commission, according to a press release.

In the press release, Hogan said he was confident that Peter Killough was the most qualified individual for this position. He added that Killough has “shown a dedication and commitment to the practice of law, and I trust that [he] will honorably serve the citizens of Prince George’s County.”

Prior to his appointment, Killough was an assistant attorney general for Maryland for over eight years. In his last position, Judge Killough was the director of the Maryland Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which investigates and criminally prosecutes cases of Medicaid fraud, as well as matters involving allegations of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults in certain facilities.  

Killough also worked in the private sector.  He worked at the corporate law firm Carter, Ledyard & Milburn LP in New York and Washington, D.C., for 16 years. Later, he worked in-house for Ford Motor Company for three years in the products’ liability unit. Killough holds his B.A. from New York University and earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia.

“I want to thank the Judicial Nominating Commission for nominating me and the Governor for appointing me,” Killough said.

Under Maryland law, Killough will have to run for election in the next election. He will be on the ballot in June with other sitting Circuit Court Judges Tiffany Anderson, Robin Bright, William Snoddy, Sean Wallance and Judy Woodall.