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J. Joseph Curran, Jr., was born in West Palm
Beach, Florida, on July 7, 1931. He attended Bal-
timore parochial schools, Loyola High School, the
University of Baltimore, and the University of Bal-
timore Law School (LL. B., 1959). Mr. Curran
served in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean
conflict, with duty in Japan and Korea. He was
honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant
after a four-year tour of duty
Attorney General Curran began his career in
public service in 1958 when he was elected to the
House of Delegates while still a law student. In
1962, he was elected to the State Senate and served
on the Judicial Proceedings Committee, and was
elected chairman of that committee in 1967, a
position he held for sixteen years. During Mr.
Curran's tenure in the General Assembly, he
sponsored or was the leading spokesman for many
significant bills, including those creating the Court
of Special Appeals and the District Court system.
He consistently supported bills to improve the
courts and the corrections system, toughen
drunk-driving laws, and guarantee equal rights, and
he sponsored the handgun permit law. He also
sponsored legislation to modernize Maryland's
divorce and alimony laws, reform adoption and
guardianship laws, and protect victims of domestic
violence. The Maryland Higher Education Loan
Program, which Mr. Curran first sponsored as a
member of the House, was passed under his
leadership while he was a member of the State
Senate.
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In 1982, Mr. Curran was elected Maryland's
third Lieutenant Governor since the office was
reestablished in 1970, and he served as legislative
liaison for Administration bills. Appointed by
Governor Hughes, he chaired task forces on the
Drinking Driver, to Review the Defense of Insanity,
on Victims Services, and on Liability Insurance. He
also chaired the Committee assigned to study
budget flexibility for higher education, the
Maryland Criminal Justice Coordinating Council,
and the State Trade Policy Council, and was a
member of the Joint Executive-Legislative Task
Force on Medical Malpractice Insurance.
Consistent with his long-standing involvement in
criminal justice matters and social issues, Mr.
Curran worked to ensure the adequate delivery of
juvenile services, and was involved in corrections
and judicial reform and a balanced State policy for
deinstitutionalization. As Lieutenant Governor,
Mr. Curran worked extensively with the
Department of Economic and Community
Development to maintain open contact and
dialogue with Maryland resident industry and
assisted in efforts to bring new industry and jobs to
Maryland.
In 1986, Mr. Curran was elected Attorney
General of Maryland.
Mr. Curran is married to the former Barbara
Marie Atkins. They are the parents of five children,
Mary Carole, Alice, Catherine, J. Joseph III (Max),
and William (deceased). The Currans reside in the
Homeland section of Baltimore City.
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