Howard E. Wallin, Executive Secretary

University of Baltimore
1420 N. Charles St.
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 625-3086

The Commission on Judicial Disabilities was es-
tablished by constitutional amendment in 1966
(Chapter 773, Acts of 1965; Const., Art. IV, sec.
4A). The Commission is empowered to investigate
complaints against members of the Maryland Ju-
diciary. It conducts hearings, or takes informal
action as it deems necessary, provided that the
judge involved has been properly notified.

Commission operating procedures involve a pre-
liminary investigation to determine whether to ini-
tiate formal proceedings, after which a hearing
may be held regarding the judge's alleged miscon-
duct or disability. If, as a result of these hearings,
the Commission, by majority vote, decides that a
judge should be retired, removed, censured, or
publicly reprimanded, it recommends that course
of action to the Court of Appeals. The Court of
Appeals may also order a more severe discipline
of the judge than the Commission recommends.
In addition, the Commission has the power in
limited situations to issue a private reprimand.

The Commission's primary function is to re-
ceive, investigate, and hear complaints against
Maryland judges. Formal complaints must be in
writing and notarized, but no particular form is
required. Individuals also may write or call the
Commission to express dissatisfaction concerning
the outcome of a case or some judicial ruling.

Pursuant to a revision in Maryland Rule 1227,
the Commission also supplies judicial nominating
commissions with confidential information con-
cerning reprimands to or pending charges against
those judges seeking nomination to judicial offices.

The Commission consists of seven members ap-
pointed by the Governor. Members include four
judges presently serving on the bench, two mem-
bers of the bar who have been engaged in legal
practice for at least fifteen years, and one lay per-
son representing the public (Code Courts and Ju-
dicial Proceedings Article, sees. 13-401 through
13-403; Md. Rule 1227).

COURT OF APPEALS STANDING
COMMITTEE ON RULES OF
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Chairperson: Alan M. Wilner

Francis M. Arnold; Walter M. Baker; Lowell R.
Bowen; Robert R. Bowie; Albert D. Brault;
Howard S. Chasanow; D. Warren Donohue;
James S. Getty; John 0. Hernnann; H. Thomas
Howell; Harry S. Johnson; Alexander G. Jones;
Joseph H. H. Kaplan; James J. Lombardi; Paul V.
Niemeyer; Anne C. Ogletree; Joseph E. Owens;
Kenneth C. Proctor; Linda M. Richards; Mary
Ellen T. Rinehardt; A. James Smith; Melvin J.
Sykes.

Julia M. Freit, Reporter

District Court Building, Room 401
580 Taylor Ave.
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 974-2492

The Standing Committee on Rules of Practice
and Procedure, known as the Rules Committee,
was originally appointed by an order of the Court
of Appeals in 1946 to succeed an ad hoc Commit-
tee on Rules of Practice and Procedure appointed
by the Court in 1940.

The Committee recommends changes in or ad-
ditions to Court of Appeals rules governing the
practice and procedure of law and judicial admin-
istration. Its membership consists of lawyers,
judges, and other persons competent in judicial
practice, procedure, or administration (Code
Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, sec.
13-301; Md. Rule 1225).

STATE BOARD OF LAW EXAMINERS

Chairperson: Charles H. Dorsey, Jr., 1988

John F. Mudd, 1987; John W. Sause, Jr., 1989;
Robert H. Reinhart, 1990; Pamela J. White, 1990;
William F. Abell, Jr., 1991; Jonathan A. Azrael,
1991.

John E. Boemer, Secretary to the Board
Joanne G. Dowgwillo, Clerk to the Board

P.O. Box 1911
District Court Building
Annapolis 21404 Telephone: 974-2140

Originally, the various local courts were autho-
rized to examine persons seeking to be admitted
to the practice of law in Maryland. The examina-
tions of attorneys remained as a function of local
courts until 1898, when the State Board of Law
Examiners was created (Chapter 139, Laws of
1898). The Board is composed of seven lawyers
appointed to five-year terms by the Court of Ap-
peals.