Solomon Ayele

The meeting featured a presentation from Justice Angela M. Eaves regarding the Innovations in Tiered Legal Services Task Force, which is collaborating to develop formal recommendations for civil legal needs assistance, including exploring the use of non-lawyers to aid self-represented litigants. Richard Abbott presented the Fiscal Year 2025 Family Division and Support Services Report, noting differences in child access assessment orders between jurisdictions and the potential for the Department of Juvenile and Family Services to establish a staff evaluator position. Judge Robert J. Thompson provided an update on the Complex Litigation Committee, detailing its recent activities, including joint meetings with the Business and Technology Workgroup and the ongoing development of a Best Practices in Medical Malpractice Case Management Report. During 'For the Good of the Order,' Judge Vicki M. Pauler raised an issue concerning public defenders being denied physical access to Department of Corrections facilities to consult with clients, leading to a decision to seek input from the Maryland State Bar Association and schedule a discussion with the Public Defender's Office at the next meeting.

The meeting included Executive Committee updates covering the Conference of Circuit Judges' discussions on Innovations in Tiered Legal Services and Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program legislation. The Administrative Office of the Courts provided updates on the publication of the Strategic Plan, the establishment of an AI Workgroup, the launch of a new email security tool, the rollout of the Non-Case Revenue System (NCRS) project, and the MDEC upgrade. Trademark applications for 'The People's Law Library' were accepted. Several reports and conference updates were highlighted, including the publication of a new video series on Appeals and the Fiscal Year 2025 Problem-Solving Courts Annual Report. The Supreme Court announced upcoming bar admissions ceremonies and the successful launch of an online application for Character Committees. The District Court announced the opening of the Mabel H. Hubbard Baltimore City District Courthouse. Key actions included the unanimous approval to convert the AI Workgroup into the AI Governance Subcommittee. The Council also unanimously adopted the Use of Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) Policy to facilitate interpreter access and authorized the Administrative Office of the Courts to explore becoming an AIRA access partner for visual interpretation services for persons with blindness. Furthermore, the Domestic Law Committee was officially renamed the Family Law Committee, and a Guardianship Statutory Revision Workgroup was established. The Education Committee received approval to transition the Public Education and Community Outreach Subcommittee to the Special Projects Committee. The Court Operations Committee presented the FY 2025 Caseflow Assessment findings across District, Appellate, and Supreme Courts, and deferred action on the JIS Jury Management Operating Directive pending review by the Conference of Circuit Judges. Finally, the Specialty Courts and Dockets Committee underwent a restructuring, moving the Behavioral Health Subcommittee to the Special Projects Committee.

The Conference of Circuit Judges discussed several key issues, including the Child Support Enforcement Agency's new Pay Near Me program, which allows for child support payments to be made at various retail locations. The Conference also addressed the report and recommendations of the Workgroup on Medical Malpractice, qualifications for candidates running for circuit court judgeships, advice to defendants upon disqualification from possessing a gun, the magistrate's leave policy, and the Guardianship Workgroup report and recommendations. Additionally, the Conference was briefed on the State of the Court Reports Workgroup and its review of reports submitted for 2015, highlighting inequities in physical plant conditions and funding mechanisms for the courts.

The Conference of Circuit Judges meeting included discussions on victim restitution, updates to the offender case management system, and the launch of a public-facing victim portal. There was also discussion regarding the Polycom system replacement and staffing shortages. Updates were provided on Maryland's sentencing guidelines, including the Maryland Criminal Code Classification (MCCC) On-Demand Worksheet Status Report and revisions to departure reasons for sentencing guidelines. The conference also addressed the IDEAL Approach to Guardianship and its Alternatives, seeking support for court-specific recommendations. The Child Support Problem Solving Court Blueprint was discussed, along with its potential implementation in Maryland courts. The committee approved Judge Heather L. Price to take a seat on the Complex Litigation Committee. Finally, the conference addressed a request from Parole and Probation agents to bring protective gel into court for their safety, and the issue of who is responsible for preparing Domestic Violence (DV) orders.

The Conference of Circuit Judges convened to discuss several key issues. These included recommendations for business and technology case management, resources available through the Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, and time frames for law enforcement to hold defendants on bench warrants. The conference also addressed proposed rule revisions to bench warrants for violations of probation, sick/safe leave policies, and the appointment of designated points of contact for the Maryland Department of Health. Additional topics included Maryland Rule 2-507 notices, the senior judges approval process, ICE enforcement in courthouses, the 2018 Judicial Conference Circuit Court Session, oaths for magistrates, true testing of documents, petitions to correct birth certificates, and hearings in guardianship cases.