2021 Judicial Conference Program

Video Production The Language Access Subcommittee reviewed and approved scripts for a two-part video series on Need an Interpreter? Each of the two videos will be produced in English and five priority languages: Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, and Spanish. The twelve videos are currently in post- production. Once completed, they will be added to the video library and to the Language Portals. Data Collection Access to Justice produces an annual report on Language Services in the Maryland Courts. Fiscal Year 2019 report is available here. A report of services for Fiscal Year 2020 is in development. Self-Represented Litigant Subcommittee The Self-Represented Litigant Subcommittee, chaired by Hon. Brett R. Wilson, provides advice and guidance on the development of resources for the self-represented. Data and Reporting Access to Justice published an annual compilation of data on services to self- represented litigants during Fiscal Year 2019. The report report, Self-Represented Litigants in the Maryland Courts , was reviewed by the subcommittee. The document compiles data on family law self-help centers and the Maryland Court Help Centers as well as various products and services offered to aid unrepresented persons in using the Maryland courts. The full report is available here. A report on activities for Fiscal Year 2020 is currently in development. Access to Justice also launched an Access to Justice Impact Dashboard, that is linked from the department’s web page ( mdcourts.gov/accesstojustice ). The dashboard provides monthly data on the broad range of programs that enhance access to justice. Maryland Court Help Center (MCHC) In spring 2020, Access to Justice contracted with a marketing firm to provide a marketing analysis for the programs and services for the self-represented. In its report, the firm recommended the Judiciary create a stronger brand for all services. A new umbrella brand for programs and services for the self-represented called “Maryland Court Help” is now being used. The Maryland Court Help Center’s remote service center continues to provide assistance in all civil case types via phone and live chat. The call center is available during extended hours and fields calls and chats from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The MCHC assisted 80,860 persons during Fiscal Year 2020, an increase of 8% from the prior fiscal year – even given the COVID-19 emergency. Over 68,000 individuals contacted the center by phone; approximately 11,700 persons contacted the center via live chat. People seek help in a broad range of civil case types. With the health emergency, the program saw a 49% increase in requests for help in family lawmatters up from 34% in the year prior. The center also served people with questions regarding housing, small claims, peace and protective orders, debtor-creditor matters, large claims, expungement and other legal topics. The remote service center reduced hours initially during the pandemic, but within two weeks were back to full operations. New phone technology was adopted to permit calls to be routed to an unlimited number of attorneys working from home. This permitted attorneys from the District Court walk-in centers who worked at home throughout the spring and summer to pick up not only chats but calls as well. Webinars MCHC staff continued offering webinars for self-represented litigants on several circuit and District Court topics. Litigants can view the schedule and register for a live webinar or watch one on demand at http://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/webinars.html . The number of live classes increased during the initial months of the health emergency. District Court Help Centers District Court Help Centers assisted a total of 17,023 individuals during Fiscal Year 2020. Services are provided at District Court locations in Glen Burnie, Upper Marlboro, Baltimore City, Catonsville, Salisbury, Cambridge, and Hagerstown. The Catonsville center launched March 2, 2020. Services in Hagerstown and Cambridge are provided one-day per week during those courts’ civil docket. Staff assist persons with all civil matters originating in District Court, including landlord-tenant matters, small claims, peace and protective orders, and expungements. District Court walk-in centers also support the statewide call center. When time permits, walk-in center attorneys pick up and provide assistance via the phone to aid callers waiting for help from the Maryland Court Help Center.

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