2021 Judicial Conference Program

PANEL OR PARTICIPANTS ANCHOR Honorable Michael W. Siri

FACILITATOR Mx. C.P. Hoffman, Esq., Legal Director of FreeState Justice Laura E. McMahon, Esq., President of the LGBTQ Bar Association of Maryland Itta C. Englander, Esq., LGBTQ Bar Association of Maryland THE USE OF PRE-TRIAL RISK ASSESSMENTS AND MARYLAND SENTENCING GUIDELINES TO AVOID INEQUITY IN THE COURTROOM There is much discretion when establishing pre-trial release and in sentencing by a court. The use of pre-trial risk assessments and the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines are tools that can help to avoid inequities in how different defendants are treated in our courts. Participants in this session will have a presentation on the use and facts concerning one county’s pre-assessment program. Although there is no uniform risk assessment tool in use today in Maryland, this example has been highly successful resulting in less money, property, surety and initial no bond being ordered and with a decrease in failure to appear warrants. The Maryland Sentencing Guidelines calculate a range of possible sentences throughout the State of Maryland. This portion of the session will include a presentation on its use when sentencing to avoid inequities by a court. Both topic area presentations will include, but are not limited to, how each is validated and updated on a continuous basis to adjust with changes in the law and in Maryland. Presenters will also address the weaknesses of these tools. PANEL OR PARTICIPANTS ANCHOR Honorable Michael J. Stamm FACILITATOR Honorable William V. Tucker, Circuit Court for Howard County Major Michael Merican, Saint Mary’s County Sheriff ’s Office David A. Soulé, Ph.D., Executive Director of Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy YOU CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE… We all complain about the "revolving door" nature of the criminal justice system and our inability to make a positive change. BUT YOU CAN! You, the judge, can be instrumental in reducing recidivism and helping to "re-enter" productive community members. Come join two of our colleagues and their respective probationers and learn how your relationship with and interest in your probationer can effectuate a positive transformative change. Each judge on the panel made a meaningful investment in their probationer and it made all the difference. You can do it too - Let us show you. PANEL OR PARTICIPANTS ANCHOR & FACILITATOR Honorable Karen C. Friedman Honorable Cathy H. Serrette, Circuit Court for Prince George’s County Chris Wilson, Author of The Master Plan Honorable Lawrence V. Hill, Jr., Circuit Court for Prince George’s County Arthur Miles, Speaker at 2021 Judicial Conference

10:20 am – 10:30 am

Break

Session 2 Topics *ONE-HOUR WORKSHOPS REPEATED FROM SESSION 1 Excludes Judges as Leaders or Merely Well-Meaning Ents?

10:30 am – 11:30 am

11:30 am – 11:35 am

Transition Back to Plenary

11:35 am – 11:50 am

Presentation: Chief Judge Barbera

11:50 am – 12:00 pm

Close Conference

| 6 |