MARYLAND JUDICIARY | SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON JUDICIAL COMPENSATION
the same term in which the cases were heard for the past eight consecutive terms since it established the standard.
Responding to Needs in the Community
➢ The Judiciary operates 60 active problem-solving courts statewide, including some exclusively designed to meet the needs of our veteran population, families in recovery, drug addiction, juveniles, and those with acute mental health needs. A first of its kind Re- Entry Program has been launched in Baltimore City. Judges spend many hours in the community and with participants engaged with these problem-solving initiatives. These courts often convene during evening hours following a full day of dockets. ➢ The Maryland Judiciary has been acknowledged by the Justice Index as a national leader in access to justice, ranking fourth, nationally, for overall performance. The Maryland Judiciary Help Centers have walk-in centers and statewide call-in locations that are staffed by trained attorneys and have helped over 100,000 people over the past year seeking assistance in civil legal matters, particularly those related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Full- time walk-in centers are available in courthouse locations in Baltimore, Rockville, Catonsville, Upper Marlboro, Glen Burnie, Salisbury, and Frederick. Part-time walk-in services are available in Cambridge and Hagerstown. Individuals can also receive help from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday by calling 410-260-1392 to talk with an attorney for free.
➢ Judges are collaborating actively with Executive Branch departments to implement the Maryland Justice Reinvestment Act and to deal with pandemic-related issues.
➢ Judges increasingly are using e-warrants to support law enforcement more efficiently when emergency search warrants are needed after hours, on weekends, and on holidays. This requires judges, as scheduled, to be on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in every county and in Baltimore City. ➢ Judges are implementing a Judiciary resolution against the presumptive shackling of juveniles in the courtroom. Research indicates that children are hindered in their access to justice when restraints cause emotional restrictions, preventing communication with counsel, or when shackling results in an undue perception of guilt. ➢ The Judiciary has expanded access to court resources for people with limited English proficiency through new website portals that offer the most requested resources in Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, and Korean, including court forms and requests for interpreter services. Remote virtual language assistance is being piloted throughout the state in the upcoming months.
Judicial Achievements During the Pandemic Emergency
➢ On March 13, 2020, Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera issued a set of Administrative Orders to adjust Judiciary operations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The orders clearly delineated that, regardless of conditions, the Judiciary needed to maintain operations to provide service to the most vulnerable populations that it serves. Those
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