MARYLAND JUDICIAL CONFERENCE

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Conference consists of all judges of the Court of Appeals, the Court of Special Appeals, the Circuit Courts, and the District Court of Maryland. The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals serves as chair, and the State Court Administrator as executive secretary (Maryland Rules, Rule 16-802).

Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland, April 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

JUDICIAL COUNCIL

In order to maintain the cohesiveness, leadership, and efficacy of the Judiciary, the Judicial Council provides guidance to the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.

Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland, January 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Judicial Council is part of the Maryland Judicial Conference. Between the Conference's annual sessions, Conference work is conducted by the Council and a number of committees as established by the Council in consultation with the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals (Maryland Rules, Rule 16-802).

The Council consists of twenty-three members: the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the Chief Judge of the Court of Special Appeals, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Conference of Circuit Judges, the Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland, the Chair of the Conference of Circuit Court Clerks, the Chair of the Conference of Senior Judges, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, the State Court Administrator, the Clerk of the Court of Special Appeals, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Conference of Circuit Administrators, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Conference of Circuit Court Clerks, and the Chief Clerk of the District Court. An additional three Circuit Court judges, four District Court judges, and two District Administrative Clerks are appointed as members to two-year terms by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, in consultation with the Chair of the Conference of Circuit Judges, the Chief Judge of the District Court, and the Chair of the Conference of Court Administrators.

The Deputy State Court Administrator serves as Secretary for the Judicial Council.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Committee advises the Chief Judge on governing the Judicial Branch of Maryland government. It considers judicial policy and serves as a forum for maintaining communication among the judicial leadership.

Five members constitute the Committee: the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the Chief Judge of the Court of Special Appeals, the Chair of the Conference of Circuit Judges, the Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland, and the State Court Administrator.

COMMITTEES

Members of the Judiciary comprise members of the committees of the Judicial Council. Established by Administrative Order of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, committees are assisted by staff from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

At present, eleven main committees assist the Judicial Council. They include the District Court Chief Judge's Committee, and are concerned with Alternative Dispute Resolution; Court Access and Community Relations; Court Operations; Court Technology; Domestic Law; Education; Juvenile Law; Legislative; Senior Judges; and Specialty Courts and Dockets. These committees are aided by the Judicial Ethics Committee, as well as various subcommittees and work groups.

JUDICIAL ETHICS COMMITTEE
The Judicial Ethics Committee was initiated by the Executive Committee of the Maryland Judicial Conference.

JOINT WORK GROUP ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING
In March 2016, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals convened the Joint Work Group on Human Trafficking.

For judges, magistrates, and other Judiciary staff, the Work Group is developing an education plan on human trafficking issues. For victims of human trafficking who come into contact with the courts, the Work Group will identify resources and best practices to serve their needs, and will study existing programs in Maryland and other states.

The Work Group is to report its findings to the Judicial Council by December 31, 2017.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION COMMITTEE
In January 2015, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee was organized. Throughout Maryland's judicial system, the Committee promotes the use of alternative dispute resolution processes. It reviews existing rules and makes recommendations for changes; monitors pending legislation that potentially would impact dispute resolution programs and services; and oversees the development of such programs and services. Further, it sets standards of conduct for professional mediators.

Supporting the Committee's work is the District Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Subcommittee.

DISTRICT COURT ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SUBCOMMITTEE
Formerly the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the District Court of Maryland, the Committee was restructured in January 2015 to become a subcommittee of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Judicial Council.

The Subcommittee assists and advises the Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland, and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Office of the District Court and its programs. The Subcommittee also serves as a District Court liaison to the broader alternative dispute resolution community.

RESEARCH & GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE
On May 20, 2015, the Judicial Council approved formation of the Research and Grants Subcommittee under the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee.

Alternative dispute resolution research that is conducted by, or on behalf of, the Maryland Judiciary is monitored by the Research and Grants Subcommittee, which assists in disseminating information about that research within the Judiciary and to its justice partners. The Subcommittee also reviews published research by others in the field, recommends research that may be beneficial to the courts, and makes programmatic recommendations based on the findings of research. Further, the Subcommittee reviews information about grants related to alternative dispute resolution, which are received or awarded by the Judiciary.

COURT ACCESS & COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The Court Access and Community Relations Committee began as the Public Awareness Committee, which was started by the Executive Committee of the Maryland Judicial Conference. In January 2015, the Public Awareness Committee reorganized as the Court Access and Community Relations Committee.

Three subcommittees and one joint subcommittee aid the Committee. The subcommittees are concerned with Community Relations, Language Access, and Self-Represented Litigant. The joint subcommittee focuses on Communication and Access to Judicial Information.

MARYLAND COURT SERVICES CENTER ADVISORY WORK GROUP


COMMUNICATION & ACCESS TO JUDICIAL INFORMATION JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE
The Communication and Access to Judicial Information Joint Subcommittee began in January 2015 as the Social Media and Mobile Access Subcommittee of the Court Technology Committee. In January 2016, it was restructured under its present name as a joint subcommittee of the Court Access and Community Relations Committee, the Court Operations Committee, and the Court Technology Committee.

The Joint Subcommittee develops programs to promote internal and external communications.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE


LANGUAGE ACCESS SUBCOMMITTEE
The Language Access Subcommittee originally formed as the Court Interpreters Committee. That committee restructured as the Court Interpretation and Translation Services Committee in October 2012, which in turn was reconstituted as the Language Access Subcommittee of the Court Access and Community Relations Committee in January 2015.

SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANT SUBCOMMITTEE

COURT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
The Court Operations Committee was established in January 2015. Under the Committee's purview are all matters concerning the efficient operation of the courts. The Committee works to develop consistent statewide operational policy and to implement known best practices.

Under the Committee are the Court Reporting Work Group, the Expungement Work Group, the Grant Advisory Work Group, the Joint Records Retention Work Group, and four subcommittees: Case Management; Courthouse Equity; Forms; and Jury Use and Management.

COURT REPORTING WORK GROUP
In February 2005, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals created the Court Reporting Committee. In January 2015, it was restructured as the Court Reporting Work Group of the Court Operations Committee.

JOINT RECORDS RETENTION WORK GROUP
The Joint Records Retention Work Group formed in January 2015.

The Work Group reviews existing record retention schedules to ensure that all units of the Judiciary have updated their schedules.

CASE MANAGEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE

COURTHOUSE EQUITY SUBCOMMITTEE

FORMS SUBCOMMITTEE

JURY USE & MANAGEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE

COURT TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
In January 2015, the Court Technology Committee was created, replacing the Technology Oversight Board of the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Committee is responsible for efficient and effective technology operations within the Judiciary.

To the Judicial Council, the Committee provides advice and guidance concerning the implementation of new technology systems and their impact on judicial operations and functions. The Committee evaluates major information technology projects, and sets priorities and makes recommendations for judicial technology.

Under the Committee are the Joint Subcommittee on Communication and Access, two subcommittees, and two work groups: the Video Conferencing Work Group.

MAJOR PROJECT EXECUTIVE STEERING SUBCOMMITTEE

DISTRICT COURT CHIEF JUDGE'S COMMITTEE
The District Court Chief Judge's Committee was organized in January 2015.

Three subunits assist the Committee: the Chief Clerk's Subcommittee, the Civil and Domestic Work Group, the Criminal and Traffic Work Group, the Project Evaluation Subcommittee.

CIVIL & DOMESTIC WORK GROUP
The Civil and Domestic Work Group originated as the Committee on Civil Procedures of the DIstrict Court of Maryland. The Committee reformed in January 2015 as the Civil and Domestic Work Group of the District Court Chief Judge's Committee under the Judicial Council.

CRIMINAL & TRAFFIC WORK GROUP
In January 2015, the Committee on Criminal and Motor Vehicle Matters of the District Court of Maryland reformed as the Criminal and Traffic Work Group of the District Court Chief Judge's Committee under the Judicial Council.

CHIEF CLERK'S SUBCOMMITTEE
The Chief Clerk's Subcommittee formed in January 2015.

To support smooth and efficient operation of the District Court's twelve districts, the Subcommittee advises the Chief Judge and the Chief Clerk on policy and administrative issues as they arise.

DOMESTIC LAW COMMITTEE
The Domestic Law Committee originated as the Family and Domestic Relations Law Committee, which was started by the Executive Committee of the Maryland Judicial Conference. In September 2001, the Committee reorganized with the Child Support Enforcement Committee, and the Juvenile Law Committee to form the Family Law Committee. In January 2015, the Family Law Committee was renamed the Domestic Law Committee.

The Domestic Violence and Peace Order Subcommittee assists the Committee.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & PEACE ORDER SUBCOMMITTEE

EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Formed in January 2015, the Education Committee coordinates the continuing legal education for the Judiciary, including all judges, family magistrates, Orphans' Court judges, commissioners, and judiciary staff. For judges, magistrates, and commissioners, the Committee guides, promotes, and encourages education. For judiciary staff, the Committee ensures ample training opportunities for professional development, communicates their availability, and encourages participation.

With the Judicial College of Maryland, other Judicial Council committees, departments, and justice partners, the Committee works to effectuate the provision of all educational services, and seeks out new technologies, and innovative and effective delivery methods (Administrative Order, Nov. 23, 2015).

Seven subcommittees aid the Committee. They are concerned with Commissioner Education, Judicial Education, Magistrate Education, Mentor, Professional Development, Professionalism Center, and Technology Training Services.

COMMISSIONER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE
Formerly the Commissioner Education Committee of the District Court of Maryland, the Committee was restructured in January 2015 as a subcommittee of the Education Committee of the Judicial Council.

JUDICIAL EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE


MAGISTRATE EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE


MENTOR SUBCOMMITTEE


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE


PROFESSIONALISM CENTER SUBCOMMITTEE


TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE

JUVENILE LAW COMMITTEE
In January 2015, the Juvenile Law Committee was organized.

The Committee recommends policy, rules, and legislation to improve the administration of juvenile law, including juvenile justice and child welfare.

Under the Committee are two subcommittees: Foster Care Court Improvement Program; and Juvenile Justice.

FOSTER CARE COURT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SUBCOMMITTEE
Formed in January 2015, the Foster Care Court Improvement Program Subcommittee is a successor to the Foster Care Court-Improvement Implementation Committee.

The Subcommittee reviews matters concerning Child in Need of Assistance (CINA), termination of parental rights, and adoption. Further, it oversees the federal Court Improvement Grant.

JUVENILE JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
The Legislative Committee was organized by the Executive Committee of the Maryland Judicial Conference.

The Committee is aided by two subcommittees: Civil Law, and Criminal Law.

CIVIL LAW SUBCOMMITTEE

CRIMINAL LAW SUBCOMMITTEE

SENIOR JUDGES COMMITTEE
The Senior Judges Committee began in January 2015 as the Retired and Recalled Judges Committee, and adopted its present name in August 2016 (Administrative Order, Aug. 25, 2016).

The Committee monitors changes to laws, rules, and policies that might affect retired and recalled judges.

Under the Committee is the Legislative Subcommittee.

LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE

SPECIALTY COURTS & DOCKETS COMMITTEE
In December 2006, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals created the Problem-Solving Courts Committee (Administrative Order, Dec. 21, 2006). In January 2015, the Committee reformed as the Specialty Courts and Dockets Committee.

The Committee is assisted by three subcommittees: Business and Technology Case Management; Mental Health, Alcoholism, and Addiction; and Problem-Solving Courts.

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY CASE MANAGEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
Under the Specialty Courts and Dockets Committee, the Business and Technology Case Management Subcommittee was organized in January 2015.

MENTAL HEALTH, ALCOHOLISM, & ADDICTION SUBCOMMITTEE
The Mental Health, Alcoholism and Addiction Committee was initiated by the Executive Committee of the Maryland Judicial Conference. In January 2015, it reformed as a subcommittee of the Specialty Courts and Dockets Committee.

PROBLEM-SOLVING COURTS SUBCOMMITTEE
A program of continuing performance evaluation for problem-solving courts was established under the Maryland Judicial Conference when the Problem-Solving Committee was authorized in December 2006 (Administrative Order, Dec. 21, 2006). The functions of that committee were re-assigned to the Problem-Solving Courts Subcommittee formed in January 2015 under the Specialty Courts and Dockets Committee.

Problem-solving courts are those appointed within a circuit court by the Circuit Administrative Judge to deal with problems that continually give rise to criminal charges brought before the court. They are specialized dockets designed to divert criminals into a program that provides intensive treatment and case supervision closely managed by a court. Under this program, offenders are held strictly and immediately accountable for their behavior through a variety of incentives and sanctions.

The Subcommittee reviews all requests to establish problem-solving courts, and advises the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals on such matters. The Subcommittee also serves as the Judiciary's clearinghouse for grants relating to these courts.

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