Md. Judiciary accepts recommendations on Post COVID-19 Judicial Operations

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Maryland Judiciary’s governance body, the Judicial Council, has unanimously accepted all recommendations from a report submitted by the Joint Subcommittee on Post COVID-19 Judicial Operations.

We’re told the joint subcommittee convened in September 2021 to review the various innovations and adaptions employed throughout the Judiciary during the pandemic to determine which of them should be retained on a permanent basis.

The joint subcommittee divided its findings and recommendations into eight different categories, including technology, remote proceedings and events, courthouse safety and security, alternative work arrangements, courthouse scheduling and docket management, Judicial College of Maryland, meetings, and non-judicial functions.

The subcommittee recommended that remote proceedings should continue, but are generally appropriate for only procedural matters, uncontested facts, or legal arguments. They agreed through their findings that remote proceedings are not appropriate when a finder of fact needs to assess the credibility of evidence, specifically in criminal or civil jury trials.

For the full report, click here.