In collaboration with the county government, a new sidewalk was installed along Greenwood Avenue that is ADA compliant, allowing for individuals with or without disabilities to travel safely from the overflow parking lot to the circuit or District Court on a sidewalk instead of the road. The policy permitting those with a disability to have a choice to enter via the rear of the courthouse or the front, depending on preference, was also modified. • Scams undermine the trust that the community has with the courts. By being proactive and making efforts to educate the public, the Circuit Court for Carroll County has been able to educate the community on how to identify a scam, specifically for citizens at senior citizen centers, business associations, assisted living communities, and other community groups who might be targeted by scammers. • On October 1, Rising Above Addiction partnered with Carroll County Drug Treatment Court to host the 5th Annual Robert D. Kirkland Memorial Golf Classic. Proceeds benefited Rising Above Addiction, Carroll County Drug Treatment Court Development Fund, and Robert D. Kirkland Scholarship. The scholarship and golf classic are named after Robert Kirkland who passed away on March 15, 2017. He was
a court liaison for Mountain Manor Treatment Center and a respected member of the community.
• On July 13th, then Court of Appeals of Maryland Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera and District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey joined Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, as well as state and local officials, to cut the ribbon on the new courthouse for the Circuit Court for Howard County . Despite the pandemic, the 238,000 square foot facility was completed on time and on budget through Howard County’s first public-private partnership. The new courthouse replaces the county’s 175-year-old historic courthouse. In addition to a four-story atrium surrounded by open balconies and a 680-space parking garage, the new courthouse is outfitted with a state-of-the art rooftop with enough solar panels to power the courtrooms and produce 1.17 million kilowatts of energy a year. “This commodious and welcoming building speaks volumes about the future of Howard County,” said then Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera. “I am delighted that the Circuit Court for Howard County has a new home that will provide access to justice and serve the needs of the people for decades to come.”
On July 13th, then Court of Appeals of Maryland Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera joined Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, as well as state and local officials, to cut the ribbon on the new courthouse for the Circuit Court for Howard County.
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