CIRCUIT COURT FOR ST. MARY’S COUNTY HOLDS OPEN HOUSE TO PREPARE FOR JURY TRIALS Administrative Judge Michael J. Stamm, Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, and Clerk of the Court Debra Burch held an open house to discuss the resumption of jury trials on April 21, 2021. Also in attendance were Commissioner Todd Morgan, two representatives from the local health department, several public defenders and local attorneys as well as attorneys from the state’s attorney’s office. In order to review the accommodations that would be used during COVID-19 for jury selection, the court staff set up a remote recording unit and performed a test recording from each of the tables and rows of juror chairs as well as the back of Naval Air Station Patuxent River Drill Hall, where chairs will be set up for the public and members of the press during jury selection. Judge Stamm and court staff answered questions, allowed individuals to listen to with guidelines. Access to this location allowed for the court to proceed with backlogged cases. Jury selection and Grand Jury hearings were also held at this location. • On April 1, Administrative Judge Sheila R. Tillerson Adams, Circuit Court for Prince George’s County , held a virtual town hall, which was one of several over the course of the pandemic. The meeting, hosted by the Prince George’s County Bar Association, focused on the resumption of jury trials and included a report from the Family Law Division. Also in attendance from the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County were Judge Nicholas E. Rittal, Judge John P. Davey, and Judge Daneeka V. Cotton. • Prince George’s County Family Justice Center, an initiative of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County , received a nearly $1 million grant award from Department of Justice Office for Violence Against Women to enhance operations and increase its physical reach within Prince George’s County. • The Special Projects Committee of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County , under the leadership of Administrative Judge Sheila R. Tillerson Adams, hosted a Breast Cancer Walk to promote inclusiveness and spread awareness about early detection, prevention, and the power of community support. During the event, circuit court employees walked in honor of breast cancer survivors. Additionally, the event honored survivors of other forms of cancer that affect many people and families. Employees wore circuit court polos, pink attire or the specific color of the cancer they plan to represent. Participants walked around the courthouse complex and through downtown Upper Marlboro before returning to the atrium entrance of the courthouse.
the playback from CourtSmart, and demonstrated to counsel how to mute the microphones on the tables if they wished to have a private conversation with their client. Administrative Judge Michael J. Stamm, Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, and Clerk of the Court Debra Burch, held an open house to discuss the resumption of jury trials on April 21, 2021.
• On February 18, five participants of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County’s problem-solving courts were recognized for successfully completing their respective programs: one from the re-entry court, two from adult drug court, and two from veterans court. Judge Lawrence V. Hill, Jr. of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County presided over the program’s fifth virtual graduation ceremony. Among the 125 attendees were local dignitaries representing the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, and the city council. The Office of the County Executive presented a certificate of recognition and citations to the graduates acknowledging their accomplishments. The program is a voluntary supervised, sanction and incentive based, 18-month comprehensive initiative that assists people with their transition into the community with intensive supervision and case management.
Circuit Court for Prince George’s County
2021 Annual Report | 21
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs