BUDGET (CODE CA0007, formerly 22.01.00.07)
PY1994 FY1995 FY1996

Funds (actual) (actual) (approp )

General $11,208 $17,207 $14,150
Total Funds $11,208 $17,207 $14,150

Staff

Authorized 000
Contractual (FTE) 000
Total Staff 000

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL DISABILITIES

Glenn T Harrell, Chair, 1999

Appointed by Governor William M, Ferns, Esq., 1997;
Sandra T Gray, 1997, DeLawrence Beard, 1999, Wilbur
D. Preston, Jr , Esq , 1999, Maqone L Clagett, 2000;
Teaette S Price, 2000

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

Amv S. Sherr . . ....... (410) 974-2177

In 1966, the Commission on Judicial Disabili-
ties was established by constitutional amendment
(Chapter 773, Acts of 1965, ratified Nov. 8,1966;
Const., Art. IV, sec. 4A).
The Commission is empowered to investigate
complaints against Maryland judges. The Commis-
sion receives, investigates, and hears these com-
plaints. Formal complaints must be in writing and
notarized, but no particular form is required. Indi-
viduals also may write or call the Commission to
express dissatisfaction concerning the outcome of
a case or some judicial ruling.
The Commission conducts hearings or takes
informal action as it deems necessary, provided
that the judge involved has been properly noti-
fied. To determine whether to initiate formal
proceedings, the Commission conducts a pre-
liminary investigation after which a hearing may
be held regarding a judge's alleged misconduct
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 order a more severe discipline of the
judge than the Commission recommends. In lim-
ited situations, the Commission has the power to
issue a private reprimand. The Commission also
supplies judicial nominating commissions with
confidential information on reprimands to or
charges pending against judges seeking nomina-
tion to judicial offices (Md Rule 1227)
The Commission's seven members are ap-
pointed to four-year terms by the Governor (Code
Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, sees. 13-
401 through 13-403; Md. Rule 1227).

STATE BOARD OF LAW EXAMINERS

Jonathan A. Azrael, Esq., Chair
Bedford T. Bentley, Jr , Secretary

People's Resource Center, Room 1.210
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032—2026 (410) 514-7044

BUDGET (CODE CA0007, formerly 22.01.00.07)
FY1994 FY1995 FY1996

Funds (actual) (actual) (approp)

General $576,560 $709,321 $669,694
Total Funds $576,560 $709,321 $669,694

Staff

Authorized 677
Contractual (FTE) 000
Total Staff 677

HISTORICAL EVOLUTION

Functions of the State Board of Law Examiners were
first the responsibility of County Courts,
1776-1851, & then of Circuit Courts, 1851-1898.
State Board of Law Examiners, 1898—

MANDATED REPORTS

None

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

COURT OF APPEALS
STATE BOARD OF LAW EXAMINERS
Jonathan A Azrael, Esq , Chair, 1996

Appointed by Court of Appeals. Patricia M. Goldberg,
Esq , 1996, John E Mudd, Esq , 1997, Robert L
Bloom, 1998, Christopher B Kehoe, Esq , 1999;
Robert H Remhart, Esq , 2000, Maurene E. Webb,
2000

SECRETARY

Bedford T. Bentley, Jr (410) 514-7044

CLERK
Toanne G. Dowgwillo (410) 514-7044

Originally, the various local courts were author
ized to examine persons seeking to be admitted to
the practice of law in Maryland. Examination of
attorneys remained a function of local courts until
1898, when the State Board of Law Examiners was
created (Chapter 139, Laws of 1898).
The Board and its staff administer bar examina-
tions twice annually in February and July. Each is a
two-day examination of between nine and twelve
hours of writing time.
Since 1972, the Board has used the Multistate
Bar Examination (MBE) as part of the overall
examination. The MBE is the nationally recognized
law examination consisting of multiple-choice
questions, prepared and graded under the direction
of the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The
MBE covers six subjects: contracts, criminal law,
evidence, real property, torts, and constitutional
law. Usually, the MBE is given on the second day
of the overall examination. The first day normally