The Maryland Judiciary has accepted a series of recommendations from the Joint Subcommittee on Post COVID-19 Judicial Operations. The subcommittee was formed in September 2021 to evaluate the adaptations and innovations implemented during the pandemic, determining which should be permanently adopted.
The report divides its findings into eight categories: technology, remote proceedings and events, courthouse security and safety, alternative work arrangements, courthouse scheduling and docket management, Judicial College of Maryland, meetings, and non-judicial functions. Some recommendations are specific, such as identifying which proceedings can be held remotely outside of crisis situations. Others suggest further study on teleworking flexibility.
A key recommendation is that remote proceedings should continue but are suitable only for procedural matters or uncontested facts. Remote settings are deemed inappropriate when assessing evidence credibility in criminal or civil jury trials.
Chief Judge Joseph M. Getty stated, “The pandemic was a serious crisis that challenged us in ways we could not previously have anticipated.” He praised the judiciary's personnel for their innovative efforts to keep courthouses operational during the pandemic. Chief Judge Matthew J. Fader emphasized that all recommendations aim to enhance judiciary operations for public benefit.
To gather information on pandemic-era innovations, the subcommittee conducted nearly 2,000 surveys with stakeholders and hosted public listening sessions in December 2021. They also presented at judiciary conferences and organized internal work groups to develop their recommendations.