Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera recently visited the Circuit and District Courts in Allegany, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington counties. The visits were part of her statewide tour aimed at understanding the needs and challenges faced by courts across Maryland.
“I’m thankful to my fellow judges who carved time from their very busy dockets for this visit,” Chief Judge Barbera stated. She emphasized the importance of meeting court personnel face-to-face to gain insight into the requirements necessary for providing fair and timely access to justice throughout Maryland.
Appointed by Governor Martin O’Malley in July, Chief Judge Barbera has prioritized visiting nearly half of the state's court facilities. During her visits, she identified issues such as aging infrastructure, cramped spaces, and outdated technology as significant challenges for these courts.
Allegany County Circuit Judge Gary G. Leasure highlighted similar concerns. “We are proud of the long local history of our courts and of our historic courthouses,” he said. However, he noted that older structures pose operational challenges, including space limitations and ensuring public safety while accommodating modern technological needs.
Garrett County Circuit Judge James L. Sherbin welcomed Chief Judge Barbera to Oakland, describing their meeting as productive. He stressed the importance of ongoing discussions about individual court issues and statewide challenges.
Washington County Circuit Judge M. Kenneth Long Jr., praised the opportunity to introduce Chief Judge Barbera to dedicated court staff working behind-the-scenes. He serves as the administrative judge for Washington County.
Chief Judge Barbera expressed her appreciation for meeting with colleagues and commended the diligent efforts of court personnel across all levels: “I’ve been especially impressed with the hard-working people whose diligent efforts enable our judges to do their work and our courts to operate.”
Frederick County's administrative judge, G. Edward Dwyer Jr., remarked on the symbolic significance of Chief Judge Barbera's visit: “We recognize that we are not a single unit but are part of a statewide network stretching across all communities to serve all Marylanders.” He acknowledged a strong relationship with county government and Judiciary officials as they plan facility expansions to meet growing demands.