![]() ![]() He said that a judicial committee will present recommendations on a constitutional amendment before next year's legislative session. ![]() "Unless changes are made to the existing law, and to the Maryland Constitution, the problem will simply be beyond resolution," said Murphy. Only 2 percent were granted, he said the rest were sent back to lower courts, burdening the system with unnecessary expense and inconvenience. There were 25,000 such requests last year, said Murphy. Murphy said, however, that the circuit courts are being inundated with "phony requests" for jury trials in misdemeanor cases that the legislature intended for the lower district court system, where only judges routinely hear cases. Murphy of the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, told a joint House-Senate session that two amendments to the state constitution are needed: one that would provide for circuit court judges to be reappointed rather than standing for election, and one to curtail "phony requests" for jury trials in misdemeanor cases.Īlthough the number of criminal cases in the Maryland court system increased 14.3 percent last year, Murphy said, judges in most courthouses "are keeping well abreast of their dockets." The disposition of criminal cases took an average of 106 days last year, and the disposition of civil cases took an average of 204 days. 28 - Maryland's chief judge, presenting his biannual state of the judiciary message to the General Assembly today, pronounced the state court system in generally good health but outlined substantial reforms he said were needed in several areas.Ĭhief Judge Robert C.
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