2023 Judicial Education Course Catalog

TUESDAY, MAY 16 Cognitive, Communication, & Mental Health Disabilities 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 23 Opinion Experts 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

This course will review how judges handle opinion experts on the bench. Quite often a judge will qualify witnesses, encounter DNA expert testimony, and the myriad of expert testimony that often accompanies drug crimes with an emphasis on DWI/DUI cases. Coordinator: Judge Shannon E. Avery Faculty: TBD JUNE THURSDAY, JUNE 1 If at First You Don’t Succeed . . . Maryland’s Alternative Post-conviction Processes 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Maryland offers those convicted of crimes many avenues of collateral attack on their convictions in addition to the Uniform Post-conviction Procedures Act. This course examines many of these “alternative” post-conviction vehicles, from allegations of illegal sentences to demands for genealogical DNA searches. We will discuss not just the substantive and procedural requirements for such claims, but also how to prepare for hearing such claims and how to set up chambers workflows to ensure that claims are handled fairly, promptly, and accurately. Coordinator/Faculty: Judge Robert K. Taylor, Jr. Faculty: Brian S. Kleinbord; Erica J. Suter

The Maryland Judiciary’s mission is to provide fair, efficient, and effective justice for all. Persons with communication and cognitive impairments, and those with mental health needs can face obstacles to full participation in the court process. These types of disabilities can often be invisible or difficult to identify. Persons with communication, cognitive, or mental health differences, including those with autism spectrum disorders, are often misinterpreted or misunderstood through the court process. They may exhibit related social interaction issues, sensory issues, and other behaviors that make it difficult for them to navigate the court system. They may also require accommodations that are different from persons with physical or sensory disabilities. This course will help judges understand the specialized needs of persons with communication, cognitive, or mental health needs, and how to respond effectively to facilitate their full and effective participation in the court process. The course will cover the types of accommodations that may be needed, how to resolve specific situations in the courtroom, how to create a climate in the courtroom that facilitates the participation of all, and how to communicate with persons with these types of disabilities and their families. The needs of persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities, those with an autism spectrum disorder, and persons with mental illness are complex. Those individuals are often involved not only with courts but with the health system, the mental health system, social service agencies, correctional services and others. This course will provide a fuller context to the behaviors they see in the courtroom and underscore the need for courts to coordinate effectively with other government entities and service providers to support individuals with these disabilities as they navigate the justice system. Coordinator: Pamela Ortiz Faculty: Judge Gale E. Rasin (Sr.) ; Kate Farinholt; Trish Kane

Class of 2002

2023 Judicial Education Course Catalog

24