2021 Judicial Conference Program

Remote Hearings Work Group Following the implementation of emergency operations by the Court of Appeals, and the limitations placed on in-person hearings, the need for technology to support and enhance remote electronic participation in judicial proceedings was critical. JIS staff and members of the Technology Committee assembled a select group of subject matter experts to form the Remote Hearings Work Group. The work group developed resources to facilitate the conduct of judicial proceedings using video conferencing technology. A robust educational curriculum ensures the prompt and efficient delivery of this new technology to members of the Judiciary and its justice partners. The Administrative Office of the Courts acquired licensing rights to Zoom for Government while the Remote Hearings Work Group produced step-by-step instructions for using video-conference technology. The instruction set includes webinars, an on-line library of guidelines, and best-practice recommendations for conducting remote hearings in Maryland’s trial courts. The work group continues working on this important initiative. The initial results were an eminently useable and effective technology process which enables our trial courts to continue to deliver fair and efficient justice at times when in-person proceedings are not possible or practical. Email Retention/Unification A minor revision to retention cycle removes the automatic purge of e-mail after 18 months. E-mail users will manage the purging of their e-mail.

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