LWV of Maryland, Judiciary and Auxiliary Offices of the Court

1/2010

Name of Submitting League

LWV of Maryland

Title of Study

Judiciary and Auxiliary Offices of the Court

Summary of Study

LWVMD completed the first part of its Administration of Justice Study in 2009 which led to a concurrence that served to update and modernize a number of long held positions. At its Convention in 2009 further study was approved and the committee was instructed to expand the study on several fronts. Scope of Study: The convention determined that the study committee should focus attention on the specific offices of Clerk of the Court, Register of Wills, and Sheriff, as well as the Orphans’ Court judges. The committee’s research would include the methods of selection for those offices in other states, the functions of the positions and changes in the election/selection process for those positions. The financing of the State’s Judiciary including comparisons of some states’ judiciary financing, revenues and expenditures would also be explored. Note: Currently the League has no positions concerning the adjunct offices that support the administration of justice in the state, nor does it have a position on the way we finance Maryland’s judiciary. This study is intended to both provide information on these offices to determine if the League wishes to establish positions and to advocate for change in the way they are structured. Although it was suggested that the study include an exploration of a Family Court, the committee concluded that the League has ample positions under its Juvenile Corrections position to advocate for such a court and that no further study was indicated.

League or Contact Email Address

info@lwvmd.org

League or Contact Phone Number

410-269-0232