8/Maryland Manual

the consent of the Senate. At the first statewide
election occurring at least one year after their ap-
pointment, Circuit Court judges must successfully
stand for election to continue in office for the
term of fifteen years.

The Court of Special Appeals is the second
highest court in Maryland. Like the state's
highest court, the Court of Special Appeals is an
appellate court. It was established by constitu-
tional amendment in 1966 to ease the caseload of
the Court of Appeals and to facilitate resolution
of cases requiring appellate ajudication. Com-
posed of thirteen judges, members of the Court of
Special Appeals are appointed by the governor
with the consent of the Senate for fifteen-year
terms, subject to approval of the voters at the
next election after their appointment. The Court
of Special Appeals has exclusive initial appellate
jurisdiction over any reviewable judgment, decree,
order, or other action of a Circuit Court, except
for appeals in criminal cases in which the death
penalty is imposed.

The Court of Appeals has a long history in
Maryland, dating from the first state constitution
adopted in 1777. The Court of Appeals is the
state's highest court, and the cases it reviews are
limited to those of major importance where the de-
cisions rendered bear largely on the proper consti-
tutional interpretation of the law. The seven judges
of the Court of Appeals, appointed by the gover-
nor with the consent of the Senate, serve fifteen
year terms. Like judges of the Court of Special Ap-
peals, judges of the Court of Appeals must win ap-
proval of the electorate at the first election occur-
ring at least one year after their appointment.

Various units, boards, and commissions exist
within the judiciary to facilitate operation of the
department and to assist judges of the different
courts. The Judicial Nominating Commissions
present names to the governor when vacancies oc-
cur on any of the courts. The Maryland State
Law Library is the principal law reference library
in the state. Also within the Judiciary Depart-
ment are the State Board of Law Examiners,
which conducts examinations for prospective
members of the State Bar, and the Attorney
Grievance Commission, charged with supervising
and administering the discipline of attorneys.

These three branches of state government—the
executive, legislative, and judicial—act in close
harmony to preserve, protect, and extend the
privileges and obligations provided to the citizens
of Maryland by the state Constitution. All three
branches represent the interests of the citizens of
the State in their relations with other states and
the federal government, and each works closely
with and supplements the services of local, mu-
nicipal, and county administrations. The checks
and balances provided by the Constitution of
Maryland ensure a certain beneficial degree of
tension and proprietorship among the three
branches of State government, and each carefully
guards its prerogatives. The fundamental goal of
State government as a whole, however, is to serve
the best interests of the people. It is thus the citi-
zens themselves who ultimately determine,
through periodic elections, referenda, and amend-
ments to the Constitution itself, the policies, func-
tions, and extent of the government of the State
of Maryland.