ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Administrative Office of the Courts helps the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals oversee and implement court policies established by the Chief Judge, the Court of Appeals, and the General Assembly. The Office prepares and administers the Judiciary budget; operates information systems; engages in planning; conducts research; and gathers and analyzes statistics and other management information (Code Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, sec. 13-101). The Office also assists the Chief Judge in the assignment of judges to cope with temporary backlogs or to address shortages of judicial personnel. Additionally, the Office serves as liaison for the Judiciary with the legislative and executive branches of government.

Maryland Judicial Center, 187 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland, February 2020. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Heading the Office is the State Court Administrator who is appointed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.

Functions of the Administrative Office of the Courts formerly were carried out by eight departments: Budget and Finance, Court Operations, Facilities Administration, Family Administration, Human Resources, Judicial Information Systems, Legal Affairs, and Procurement and Contracts Administration. In a reorganization of July 2014, those functions were dispersed to six divisions: Education, Government Relations, Internal Affairs, Judical Information Systems, Operations, and Programs. In November 2015, the Education Division was renamed the Judicial College of Maryland, and in October 2017, the Government Relations Division was renamed the Government Relations and Public Affairs Division.

The Office is aided by the Oversight Committee on the Circuit Court Real Property Records Improvement Fund.

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON THE CIRCUIT COURT REAL PROPERTY RECORDS IMPROVEMENT FUND
The Circuit Court Real Property Records Improvement Fund was created in 1991 (Chapter 327, Acts of 1991). In each county and Baltimore City, the Fund is used to repair, replace, modernize, and maintain equipment in the land records office of the local clerks of the circuit court. Surcharges on the land records of each county and Baltimore City finance the Fund (Code Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, secs. 13-601 through 13-606).

Established in 1995, the Oversight Committee on the Circuit Court Real Property Records Improvement Fund advises the State Court Administrator on managing and dispersing the Circuit Court Real Property Records Improvement Fund. The Committee has five members (Chapter 566, Acts of 1995; Code Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, secs. 13-601 through 13-606).

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTRAL REPOSITORY
In October 2010, the Administrative Office of the Courts was authorized to maintain the Domestic Violence Central Repository (Chapter 687, Acts of 2010). The Repository stores interim, temporary and final protective orders, and certain peace orders, providing quick access for judges, court personnel, and law enforcement agencies (Code Family Law Article, sec. 4-512.1).

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION

The Office of Communications and Public Affairs originated as the Court Information Office within the Administrative Office of the Courts. It transferred to the Court of Appeals in 1998, and became the Office of Communications and Public Affairs in March 2009 (Administrative Order, March 10, 2009). It transferred from the Court of Appeals to the Programs Division within the Administrative Office of the Courts in July 2014.

Today, programs that inform the public about the activities of the Maryland judiciary (formerly administered by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs) are planned by the Government Relations and Public Affairs Division, which issues press releases; publishes the quarterly newsletter, Justice Matters; and maintains a speakers' bureau of judges.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS DIVISION

FAIR PRACTICES DEPARTMENT
The Fair Practices Department started as the Office of Fair Practices and reformed as the Fair Practices Department under the Internal Affairs Division in July 2014.

The Department works to eliminate and prevent discrimination in the workplace. It promotes equal opportunity in employment through compliance with federal, State and local employment laws and regulations concerned with civil rights; the fair and voluntary resolution of disputes about equal employment opportunity; and education and outreach. The Department also investigates complaints of discrimination, retaliation, and harassment, including sexual harassment, filed by employees and public users of Judiciary programs and services.

INTERNAL AUDIT DEPARTMENT

In 1998, the Judiciary Department of Internal Audit moved from the Administrative Office of the Courts to the Court of Appeals. In July 2014, it moved back to the Administrative Office of the Courts, was placed under the Internal Affairs Division, and adopted its present name.

The Internal Audit Department conducts compliance audits for all Judicial offices and agencies, and the Circuit Court. In 2002, it also assumed the internal auditing responsibility for the District Court of Maryland. The Department, however, does not oversee audits of the Court of Appeals or Court of Special Appeals.

LEGAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
The Legal Affairs Department originated in 2001 as the Department of Legal Affairs. In July 2014, it transferred to the Internal Affairs Division as the Legal Services Department and, at that time, reformed as the Legal Affairs Department.

The Department advises the State Court Administrator on legal issues relating to administrative matters, including personnel and procurement. In addition, the Department conducts legal research; and provides in-house legal review of Judiciary policies and procedures, and of contracts and memoranda of understanding with other State agencies.

JUDICIAL COLLEGE OF MARYLAND

Education & Conference Center, Judicial College of Maryland, 2009 Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland, July 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

JUDICIAL EDUCATION
In 1981, Judicial Education started when the Court of Appeals authorized the Judicial Institute of Maryland. The Institute was reorganized in November 2015 as Judicial Education and placed under the Judicial College of Maryland (Administrative Order, November 23, 2015).

Judicial Education provides continuing education programs for the Maryland judiciary.

JUDICIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIVISION

The Judicial Information Systems Division develops and maintains State court system applications, operates a statewide computer network, and is responsible for data center contingency planning. Moreover, the Division administers data processing systems; collects and analyzes statistics, and maintains computer hardware and software for the Judiciary. The Division also helps State and local judicial agencies meet their data processing and information technology needs. From judicial data files, the Division provides information to judicial, criminal justice and law enforcement agencies.

For court applications, the Division operates a mainframe computer and servers that support the Uniform Court System (UCS), providing court case management for all circuit courts except those in Baltimore City, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County. The System makes possible case initiation, scheduling, disposition, expungement, and other record keeping. The Division also support the Traffic Processing Center (traffic citations).

The Division developed and maintains internet access to various electronic court records. Instituted in January 2006, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search (MDJCS) Program provides electronic access to records in civil, criminal and traffic cases from Maryland Circuit and District Courts. Information commonly requested by attorneys, litigants, and the general public is available through the Program and includes case number, names of parties, and date of birth, charge, trial date and location, and case disposition.

In partnership with the State Archives, the Division maintains a database retrievable on-line of all land record images and indices. The Electronic Land Record Optical Imagery (ELROI) System scans recordable land record instruments and inputs the images into mdlandrec.net, an electronic archival and preservation system at the State Archives. Imaged documents may be accessed and viewed electronically by title abstractors and the public.

Formerly, the Judicial Information Systems Division oversaw Major Information Technology Projects, Operations, and Planning and Application Services. Reorganization in July 2014 made the Division responsible for Administrative and Management Services; Application Support Services; Customer Business Services; Customer Support and Information Security; Infrastructure Services; and Project Services.

Today, under the Division are six main units: Administrative and Management Services; Application Support Services; Court Business Services; Information Security; Infrastructure Services; and Project Services.

MARYLAND ELECTRONIC COURTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Maryland Electronic Courts Advisory Committee began as the Maryland Integrated Case-Management System Advisory Committee, which was convened in Spring 2007 by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. In 2011, the Committee adopted its present name.

For the Technology Oversight Board, the Committee assesses needs of and makes recommendations concerning planning, implementation, testing, and evaluation of the Maryland Electronic Courts project. The Maryland Electronic Courts will be a single integrated case-management system used statewide by all courts within the Maryland Judiciary. Replacing the varied systems currently in use, the new system will enable electronic document filing and fee payments 24 hours per day. Moreover, it will provide quick information-sharing with law enforcement and other agencies, generate reports and statistics, improve case processing, reduce delays, and allow access to court information from anywhere, at any time.

Mandatory e-filing by attorneys of Circuit Court and District Court cases already has begun for Anne Arundel County (October 2014), Maryland's Eastern Shore counties (December 2016), and in Southern Maryland for Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties (June 2017).

OPERATIONS DIVISION

For the Judiciary, the Division oversees a statewide research agenda. It plans, develops, and evaluates the effectiveness of programs and operating initiatives; and creates statistical and management reports. The Division also provides guidance and support for obtaining grants to support new initiatives, and monitors how funds from the Judiciary are spent by grant recipients.

Maryland Judicial Center, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland, December 2000. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

OFFICE OF FACILITIES & SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
The Office of Facilities and Security Administration originated in May 2013, when the Department of Facilities Administration formed from Administrative Services. In July 2014, the Department reorganized as the Office of Facilities and Security Administration, and was placed under the Operations Division.

To help judicial agencies plan for continuity of operations during potential natural or man-made emergencies or disasters, the Office provides advice and training. It also coordinates judicial emergency management planning with other State and local agencies.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
In July 2014, the Department of Human Resources transferred to the Operations Division.

The Department oversees five units: Classification, Salary Administration, and Recruitment; Employment and Employee Relations; Employee Services, Benefits, and Transactions; and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).

DEPARTMENT OF PROCUREMENT, CONTRACT & GRANT ADMINISTRATION
The Department of Procurement and Contracts Administration in July 2014 moved from the Court of Appeals to the Administrative Office of the Courts, and as the Department of Procurement, Contract and Grant Administration, was made part of the Operations Division.

PROGRAMS DIVISION

The Division oversees five departments: Access to Justice; Court Operations; Juvenile and Family Services; Mediation and Conflict Resolution; and Problem-Solving Courts.

ACCESS TO JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Judiciary Education & Conference Center, 2011-D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401

Judiciary Education & Conference Center, 2011-D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland, January 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

DEPARTMENT OF COURT OPERATIONS
Within the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Department of Court Operations originated as Management Analysis and Research. In 2006, it restructured as the Department of Court Research and Development, and became the Department of Court Operations in May 2013. It moved under the Programs Division in July 2014.

DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE & FAMILY SERVICES
In 1998, family divisions were formed within the circuit courts of Baltimore City and four counties (those having seven or more judges): Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County. At that time, in the circuit courts of the other nineteen counties, family services programs also were begun. From 1998, the Department of Family Administration oversaw the establishment of family divisions and programs in each jurisdiction. In July 2014, as the Department of Family Services, it became part of the Programs Division. In June 2017, it merged with the Foster Care Court Improvement Program to form the Department of Juvenile and Family Services.

In 1994, the Foster-Care Court Improvement Project was initiated to assess and improve the performance of juvenile courts in child abuse and neglect cases. In 2000, the Project was placed within the Department of Family Administration. Reorganized as the Foster-Care Court Improvement Program, it joined the Programs Division in July 2014 and merged with the Department of Family Services in June 2017.

The Department works with judges, family magistrates, court administrators, and family support services coordinators to identify and promote best practices in legal proceedings involving domestic and juvenile matters, such as: adoption; child support; child in need of assistance (CINA); child in need of supervision (CINS); custody; divorce; domestic violence; guardianship; involuntary admission; juvenile delinquency; name change; paternity; termination of parental rights; and visitation. For service providers and court professionals, the Department also develops standards and evaluation protocols, collects data and statistical information to support policy development and funding requests, and disseminates information on services, projects and grants, and funding availability.

To develop family law policy and identify what services families need and how to provide them, the Department works with judges, family magistrates, court administrators, and service providers. Through special projects grants to organizations that provide legal or other services to families with cases before the Maryland courts, the Department also administers funding.

The work of the Foster-Care Court Improvement Program continues through the Department in seeking to improve the effectiveness of the juvenile courts in cases concerned with Child in Need of Assistance (CINA), termination of parental rights (TPR), and adoption. Moreover, the Program works to ensure the safety, permanency, and wellbeing of children in foster care. Primarily funded by federal grants, the Program involves juvenile court judges and masters, court personnel, representatives of social service agencies, attorneys, and other experts in child welfare.

The Department administers federal grants that help Maryland courts safeguard abused and neglected children in the child welfare system. In 1997, to meet federal requirements in order to receive federal funds, a State plan, Improving Court Performance for Abused and Neglected Children, was issued and the former Foster Care Court-Improvement Implementation Committee was authorized.

In January 2015, under the Juvenile Law Committee of the Judicial Council, the Foster Care Court Improvement Program Subcommittee was formed.

MEDIATION & CONFLICT RESOLUTION DEPARTMENT
In July 2001, the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office was established by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. In July 2014, the Office transferred to the Administrative Office of the Courts as a department under the Programs Division.

Mediation is a process by which a trained neutral person, a mediator, helps people in a dispute to communicate with one another, understand each other, and, if possible, reach an agreement by which to resolve the dispute. Mediation is voluntary. Those involved in the dispute must agree to mediation. By using mediation, however, the parties involved do not forfeit their legal rights. If an agreement is not reached, they can still seek redress in court.

The Mediation and Conflict Resolution Department promotes the appropriate use of mediation and other dispute resolution practices in Maryland's courts, neighborhoods, businesses, schools, governmental agencies, and criminal and juvenile justice systems. Such practices include mediation arbitration, settlement conferences, consensus building, and other nonviolent and nonlitigious methods of resolving disputes.

The Problem-Solving Courts Department started as the Office of Problem-Solving Courts. It reformed as a department in July 2014.

Judiciary Education & Conference Center, 2011-D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland, January 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

To the problem-solving courts statewide, the Department provides centralized oversight for financial responsibility, program guidelines, grant solicitation, and creation of a statewide management information system. As of 2015, the Department also supports thirty-seven drug courts, nine truancy reduction courts, three mental health courts, two re-entry courts, and one veterans court within Maryland's Judiciary.

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