In 1994, the Foster-Care Court Improvement Project was initiated to assess and improve the performance of juvenile courts in child abuse and neglect cases. Primarily funded by federal grants, the Program involves juvenile court judges and masters, court personnel, representatives of social service agencies, attorneys, and other experts in child welfare. Maryland Counties This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. Replacing the varied systems formerly in use, the new system enables electronic document filing and fee payments 24 hours per day. The Operations Division organized in July 2014. The Division developed and maintains internet access to various electronic court records. The Problem-Solving Courts Department started as the Office of Problem-Solving Courts. Mediation is a process by which a trained neutral person, a mediator, helps people in a dispute to communicate with one another, understand each other, and, if possible, reach an agreement by which to resolve the dispute. RESEARCH & ANALYSIS DEPARTMENT The Maryland Electronic Courts Advisory Committee began as the Maryland Integrated Case-Management System Advisory Committee, which was convened in Spring 2007 by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. In 2006, it restructured as the Department of Court Research and Development, and became the Department of Court Operations in May 2013. At that time, in the circuit courts of the other nineteen counties, family services programs also were begun. In 1998, family divisions were formed within the circuit courts of Baltimore City and four counties (those having seven or more judges): Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County. e-mail: allison.gingell@mdcourts.gov In 2000, the Project was placed within the Department of Family Administration. Within the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Research and Analysis Department originated as Management Analysis and Research. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS Frank V. Broccolina, State Court Administrator Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 260-1400; fax: (410) 974-2169; tty: 1-800-735-2258 web: www.mdcourts.gov/aoc/index.html Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland, March 2009. Maryland Independent Agencies To the problem-solving courts statewide, the Department provides centralized oversight for financial responsibility, program guidelines, grant solicitation, and creation of a statewide management information system. web: www.mdcourts.gov/hr, CLASSIFICATION & COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATION The Maryland Electronic Courts is a single integrated case-management system used statewide by all courts within the Maryland Judiciary. By using mediation, however, the parties involved do not forfeit their legal rights. ACCESS TO JUSTICE DEPARTMENT MARYLAND ELECTRONIC COURTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE In January 2015, under the Juvenile Law Committee of the Judicial Council, the Foster Care Court Improvement Program Subcommittee was formed. For service providers and court professionals, the Department also develops standards and evaluation protocols, collects data and statistical information to support policy development and funding requests, and disseminates information on services, projects and grants, and funding availability.
MARYLAND ELECTRONIC COURTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE It moved under the Programs Division in July 2014, and by August 2022 had reformed as the Research and Analysis Department. The work of the Foster-Care Court Improvement Program continues through the Department in seeking to improve the effectiveness of the juvenile courts in cases concerned with Child in Need of Assistance (CINA), termination of parental rights (TPR), and adoption. LEGAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT Within the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Research and Analysis Department originated as Management Analysis and Research. PROBLEM-SOLVING COURTS DEPARTMENT The Legal Affairs Department originated in 2001 as the Department of Legal Affairs. Within the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Judicial College of Maryland first was formed as the Education Division, which was established in July 2014 to oversee the Judicial Institute of Maryland, Professional Development, and Technical Training Services. Work of the Department will encourage access to justice innovations within the Judiciary and prioritize initiatives designed to help persons who encounter barriers in gaining access to Maryland's civil justice system. Rights assessment, and full . DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE & FAMILY SERVICES Moreover, the Program works to ensure the safety, permanency, and wellbeing of children in foster care. Appointed by Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Maryland: Reorganization in July 2014 made the Division responsible for Administrative and Management Services; Application Support Services; Customer Business Services; Customer Support and Information Security; Infrastructure Services; and Project Services. In 1997, to meet federal requirements in order to receive federal funds, a State plan, Improving Court Performance for Abused and Neglected Children, was issued and the former Foster Care Court-Improvement Implementation Committee was authorized. Photo by Diane F. Evartt. Terri A. Vukovich, Superintendent of Facilities (410) 260-1407; e-mail: terri.vukovich@mdcourts.gov, DEPARTMENT OF PAYROLL SERVICES Maryland Municipalities The Department of Procurement and Contracts Administration in July 2014 moved from the Court of Appeals to the Administrative Office of the Courts, and as the Department of Procurement, Contract and Grant Administration, was made part of the Operations Division. Whitney S. Williams, Manager (410) 260-1581 Mediation is voluntary. From judicial data files, the Division provides information to judicial, criminal justice and law enforcement agencies. Formerly, the Judicial Information Systems Division oversaw Major Information Technology Projects, Operations, and Planning and Application Services. The Problem-Solving Courts Department started as the Office of Problem-Solving Courts. The Operations Division organized in July 2014. Judiciary Education & Conference Center, 2011-D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland, January 2014. e-mail: erica.peters@mdcourts.gov, TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT It works to develop, consolidate, coordinate, and implement policy initiatives in these areas. Judiciary Education & Conference Center, 2011-D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland, January 2014. In 1998, family divisions were formed within the circuit courts of Baltimore City and four counties (those having seven or more judges): Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County. The Department assists the Problem-Solving Courts Subcommittee of the Specialty Courts and Dockets Committee of the Judicial Council. Imaged documents may be accessed and viewed electronically by title abstractors and the public. MARYLAND ELECTRONIC COURTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE In July 2014, the Department reorganized as the Office of Facilities and Security Administration, and was placed under the Operations Division. ACCESS TO JUSTICE DEPARTMENT Maryland Judiciary FAIR PRACTICES DEPARTMENT In 1997, to meet federal requirements in order to receive federal funds, a State plan, Improving Court Performance for Abused and Neglected Children, was issued and the former Foster Care Court-Improvement Implementation Committee was authorized. The Department assists the Problem-Solving Courts Subcommittee of the Specialty Courts and Dockets Committee of the Judicial Council. In July 2014, it transferred to the Internal Affairs Division as the Legal Services Department and, at that time, reformed as the Legal Affairs Department. Such practices include mediation arbitration, settlement conferences, consensus building, and other nonviolent and nonlitigious methods of resolving disputes. Maryland Counties The Administrative Office of the Courts helps the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals oversee and implement court policies established by the Chief Judge, the Court of Appeals, and the General Assembly. Photo by Diane F. Evartt. DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE & FAMILY SERVICES RESEARCH & ANALYSIS DEPARTMENT Ebonye L. Caldwell, Director & Assistant State Court Administrator (410) 260-3765; e-mail: ebonye.caldwell@mdcourts.gov web: www.mdcourts.gov/aoc/index.html. In June 2017, it merged with the Foster Care Court Improvement Program to form the Department of Juvenile and Family Services. Maryland Counties It also coordinates judicial emergency management planning with other State and local agencies. Moreover, the Program works to ensure the safety, permanency, and wellbeing of children in foster care. Maryland Manual On-Line In 2011, the Committee adopted its present name. R. Gray Barton, Director (410) 260-3617 Search the Manual
It moved under the Programs Division in July 2014, and by August 2022 had reformed as the Research and Analysis Department. For the Court Technology Committee (formerly Technology Oversight Board), the Maryland Electronic Courts Advisory Committee assesses needs of and makes recommendations concerning planning, implementation, testing, and evaluation of the Maryland Electronic Courts project. JUDICIAL COLLEGE OF MARYLAND It also coordinates judicial emergency management planning with other State and local agencies. For service providers and court professionals, the Department also develops standards and evaluation protocols, collects data and statistical information to support policy development and funding requests, and disseminates information on services, projects and grants, and funding availability. The Mediation and Conflict Resolution Department promotes the appropriate use of mediation and other dispute resolution practices in Maryland's courts, neighborhoods, businesses, schools, governmental agencies, and criminal and juvenile justice systems. Maryland Municipalities If an agreement is not reached, they can still seek redress in court. Maryland Counties The Division developed and maintains internet access to various electronic court records. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS (C00A0006, formerly 22.01.00.06) FY2021 appropriation: $95,114,971; authorized positions: Judy K. Rupp, State Court Administrator (appointed by Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Maryland) (410) 260-1400 e-mail: statecourtadministrator@mdcourts.gov Moreover, it provides quick information-sharing with law enforcement and other agencies, generates reports and statistics, improves case processing, reduces delays, and allows access to court information from anywhere, at any time. Photo by Diane F. Evartt. In January 2015, under the Juvenile Law Committee of the Judicial Council, the Foster Care Court Improvement Program Subcommittee was formed. For the Judiciary, the Division oversees a statewide research agenda. Such practices include mediation arbitration, settlement conferences, consensus building, and other nonviolent and nonlitigious methods of resolving disputes.