2021 Judicial Conference Program

Community Outreach Subcommittee The subcommittee held its first meeting on October 1, 2020, where the members reviewed its mission, discussed potential community partnerships, set up regional working groups, and identified the need for additional members or partners to represent the Lower Eastern Shore, Western Maryland, and Prince George’s County. The subcommittee also discussed a recent high-profile case for which media coverage and editorials alleged racial injustice, as well as misinformation about the judge and the justice system. The subcommittee and regional working groups are focused on fulfilling the above-mentioned charge to organize and hold community forums throughout the state. Regional work group chairs have been tasked with identifying potential community partners, forum topics, time frames for meetings, and potential venues (although virtual platforms are anticipated at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The creation of local advisory bodies and community liaisons will follow the forums. The subcommittee anticipates meeting at least quarterly throughout the upcoming year. Diversity & Inclusion Education Subcommittee The Diversity and Inclusion Education Subcommittee held its first meeting on October 8, 2020. During the meeting, members reviewed the subcommittee’s purpose and discussed the importance of diversity and inclusion education for Judiciary employees and members. In order to determine how to best assess the topics of implicit bias and educational strategies, the subcommittee formed two work groups, Implicit Bias Testing and Teaching and Educational/Training Strategies. The Implicit Bias Testing Work Group is tasked with identifying, analyzing, and evaluating various Implicit Bias tests and making recommendation of the most effective test for Judiciary. Additionally, the work group will offer recommendations on programs to follow the Implicit Bias testing being administered to result in real and lasting behavioral change. The Educational/Training Strategies Work Group will examine educational programs and strategies that the Judiciary currently has in place, identify educational gaps, and make recommendations for evolving existing programs. Operations Subcommittee The Operations Subcommittee met on October 19, 2020. The initial focus of the subcommittee was to determine the most efficient manner in which to collect data to formulate recommendations regarding policies and procedures to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all who work within, utilize the services of, or do business with the Judiciary. It was determined to create two work groups. The first work group will develop an anonymous employee survey by jurisdiction to collect data relating to the fair and equitable treatment of those within the Judiciary. The second work group will develop a public perception survey for those that utilize the services of or do business with the Judiciary. The work group will be determining the best way to disseminate and collect the data for the public perception survey. Rules Review Subcommittee The Rules Review Subcommittee is charged with identifying both local Maryland Rules, written and unwritten, that are perceived to create systemic racism and contribute to implicit bias. To facilitate this, the subcommittee plans to create a campaign to gather information from stakeholders through surveys and listening sessions. The goal is to get the perspective frommembers within the community who have firsthand knowledge of any Rules that may have a negative impact on marginalized groups within the community. The subcommittee will then submit a report with suggested recommendations to the Committee on Equal Justice for review and dissemination to the Judicial Council. Sentencing Subcommittee The subcommittee held its first meeting October 27, 2020. Each member was given an opportunity to express their interest in serving, as well as to provide suggestions for the areas on which the subcommittee should focus its attention. The list of items discussed was expansive with the members expressing the desire to take a deep dive into sentencing. One area of particular concern was Maryland’s number one ranking in the incarceration of Black men. Other items discussed ranged from the restrictive nature of mandatory minimum sentencing to balancing rehabilitation, deterrence, and punishment to disparities in pretrial services.

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