NCJ Number
160353
Date Published
1993
Length
75 pages
Annotation
This memorandum presents statements and statistics supporting the need for additional judgeships in Maryland's circuit and district courts and provides the text of draft legislation to provide for these judges.
Abstract
The discussion notes that seven counties and Baltimore City need at lease one additional circuit court judge, and one county needs an additional district court judge. Currently the State has 125 circuit court judges, 97 district court judges, 13 judges in the court of special appeals, and 13 judges in the court of special appeals. Total filings in the circuit courts have increased 24.3 percent between fiscal year 1989 and fiscal year 1993. The greatest increase has occurred in civil case filings, particularly in domestic cases. Criminal and juvenile case filings increased 13.9 percent and 3.6 percent over the 5- year period. A total of 53,553 domestic cases were filed in fiscal year 1989, and 77,394 cases were filed in fiscal year 1993. Statistical tables, draft legislation, and comments from circuit administrative judges in each judicial circuit