Maryland Judiciary 1986

If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov. \:," ..~ Anllual Report of the Maryland Judiciary 1986.. 1987 The Bicentennial of the United States Constitution * * * * 1787-1987 * * * * The path ofthe Constitution includes the Maryland Statehouse in Annapolis and the Pennsylvania Statehouse in Philadelphia-.Independence Hall. I <l q.5 8 Ll Annual Report / of the -- --t Maryland Judiciary U.S. Department 01 Justice 109384 National Institute 01 Justice This document has been reproduced exactly as received from the person or organization originating it. Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the Nntional Institute of NCJF Justice. Permission to reproduce this copyrighted material has been granted by MAR 1 Administrative Office of the COJlrts, Courts of Appea1 B1dg. Annapn1is, MD to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). Further reproduction outside of the NCJRS system requires permis sion of the copyright owner. Administrative Offic~ of the Courts Courts of Appeal Building Post Office Box 431 Annapolis, Maryland 21404 301/974-2141 COVER: Right-Pennsylvania Statehouse, Philadelphia-Independence Hall Courtesy of the National Archives, Washington, D.C. Left-The Maryland Statehouse attributed to C. Milburne (1794) Hammond-Harwood House Association, Annapolis. Photograph, Courtesy of the Maryland State Archives MdHRG 1556-1 0 Report prepared by the Administrative Office of the Courts Michael V. 0 'Malley Peter 1. Lally Faye Gaskin Nonna P. Gainer Photographs, Courtesy Maryland Historical Trust, pp. 11,99, 101, 126 Graphics, Courtesy of the Maryland Humanities Council, produced by F.E. Worthington, Inc., for the Winter 1986 issue of Maryland Humanities, p. 130 Maryland State Archives, pp. 111, 116 Contents Letter of Transmittal . v Introduction ... , . .. vii State of the Judiciary Message ...................................... 1 Judicial Revenues and Expenditures ................................. 9 The Maryland Courts ............................................. 15 The Court of Appeals. ..... .... .......... ... ....... ........ 19 The Court of Special Appeals .................................. 29 The Circuit Courts .....•................................... ,. 41 The District Court ........................................... 79 Judicial Administration ........................................... 93 Administrative Office of the Courts ............................. 95 Judicial Education and Information Services ...................... 96 Judicial Information Systems ................................... 96 Judicial Special Projects. ... .. ... 97 Judicial Research and Planning Services ......................... 98 Judicial Administrative Services ................................ 98 Judicial Personnel Services .................................... 98 Sentencing Guidelines ........................................ 98 Liaison with the Legislative and Executive Branches ............... 99 Circuit Court Administration .................................. 99 District Court Commissioners .................................. 100 Assignment ofJudges ......................................... 101 Court-Related Units .............................................. 103 Board of Law Examiners ...................................... 105 Rules Committee ............................................ 107 State Law Library ............................................ 109 Attorney Grievance Commission ............................... 110 Clients' Security Trust Fund ................................... 111 Judicial Conferences ............................................. 113 The Maryland Judicial Conference .............................. 115 Conference of Circuit Judges .................................. 116 Administrative Judges Committee of the District Court .... ,....... 117 Appointment, Discipline, and Removal of Judges ...................... 119 Judicial Nominating Commissions .............................. 121 Removal and Discipline ofJudges .............................. 125 The Commission on Judicial Disabilities ......................... 125 1987 Legislation Affecting the Courts ............................... 127 Listing of Tables and Definitions ................................... 131 Listing of Tables ............................................. 133 Definitions .................................................. 136 iii Letter of Transmittal ADMlN1STRA TIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS COUR1S OF APPEAL BUILDING ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 21401 974-2141 STAT, COURT ADMINISTRATOR DEPUTY STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR JAMES H. t~oRRIS. Jn~ ROBERT W. McltEE;VER September 1, 1987 This is the eleventh Annual Report of the Maryland Judiciary, which includes the thirty-second Annual Report of the Admin istrative Office of the Courts, as required by § 13-101(d)(9) of the C(]s:rts Article. The report covers Fiscal Year 1987, beginning July 1, 1986, and ending June 30, 1987. The report is continuing to be presented in one volume with each of the courts and other sections containing the statistical material associated with that section. We believe this presents a more readable and convenient reference tool. Many individuals have contributed to and participated in its preparation including the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the Chairman of the Conference of Circuit Judges, the Chief Judge of the District Court, the Deputy State Court Administrator, all Assistant State Court Administrators, the Clerks of the two appeilate courts, the Chief Clerk and other staff of the District Court headquarters, circuit and local administrators and other staff members of the Administrative Office. The statistics on which most of the report is based have been provided through the fine efforts of the clerks of the circuit courts for the counties and Baltimore City and the clerks of the District Court of Maryland. My thanks to them and all those whose invaluable assistance has contributed to the preparation of this publication. James H. Norris, Jr. State Court Administrator TTY FdR Olt",,.: A""''''1'01.15 ARE'A P974 .. a6Q9 WASHIN.GTott AREA PS6S"O'UIO v In.troduction RoSe:RT C. MURPHY CHIEf" .JUPGE: COURT OF' APPEALS OF" MARYLANO COURTS OF' APPEAL BUILDING ANHAPOLlS, MARy'L""NC 210401 September 1, 1987 As 8uggested by the cover of this eleventh Annual Report of the Maryland Judiciary, the State of Maryland played a significant role in the creation of a remarkable document: the United States Constitution. In the bicentennial year of the signing of the Constitution, it behooves each of us to read and ponder anew this foundation of our democratic institutions, still living, still evolving today. The report itself makes clear that the number of new cases and appeals filed in Maryland courts continues to grow each year. Last session, the General Assembly helped us cope with the ever-increasing workload, first, by approving an additional judgeship for the Dist.rict Court and second, by appropriating funds for the maintenance of special "settlement judges" in the busiest circuit courts. The use of settlement judges promises to be one of the Judiciary's most effective innovations to clear clogged civil dockets. These judges, selected from the ranks of recent trial and appellate retirees, confer with counsel and litigants in an attempt to resolve disputes outside of the courtroom. Our experience shows that the nonadversarial atmosphere of these conferences encourages numerous settlements of the civil matters so treated, at a considerable savings of court time and expense. As always, all of the judges and supporting staff in our courts deserve thanks and commendation for a job well done. Robert C. Murphy Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland vii .'.-~ 3 State of the Judiciary Message To a Joint Session of the General Assembly of Maryland Delivered by endowed with the requisite supervisory and managerial Chief Judge Robert C. Murphy authority to make them work. January 28, 1987 At the apex of this four-tiered judicial pyramid is the Court of Appeals of Maryland which, in effect, is the State's Supreme Court. The Court, like the Governor Schaefer, President Miller, Speaker Mitchell, General Assembly of Maryland, is a most venerable Ladies and Gentlemen of the General Assembly: institution; its roots, like yours, can be traced to the This month-January 1987-rnarks my twentieth mid-17th Century, well over a hundred years before year as a member of the Maryland judiciary-the last the American Revolution. In addition to its adjudi fifteen as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and catory and other responsibilities, the Court acts in a Administrative Head of the Judicial Branch of our State legislative capacity under the Maryland Constitution Government. Within this fifteen year period, I have in promulgating Rules, having the force of law, which appeared before this distinguished body on seven prior govern practice and procedure in all the courts of occasions to inform you of Judicial Branch operations, Maryland-a function of the most vital importance problems and concerns and, in particular, to focus yvUf in the administration ofjustice within our State. I wouid attention on needed judicial reforms-reforms which like to recognize my esteemed colleagues on the cannot be accomplished without your approval. Not Maryland Court of Appeals-Judge John C. Eldridge, all of my recommendations have been greeted with Judge Harry A. Cole, Judge Lawrence F.

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