ANNAPOLIS (February 19, 2003) – The Maryland Judiciary’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Judicial Process will be holding a series of public hearings statewide later this month. The hearings will provide citizens with the opportunity to share their experiences and recommendations on racial and ethnic fairness in the court system with the Commission.

 “It is imperative that the Commission hears from court users who feel they have experienced bias in the court system, or who have a suggestion to improve racial and ethnic fairness in our courts,” says Court of Appeals Judge Dale R. Cathell, Commission chair. “Members of the Commission are looking forward to meeting with Maryland residents face to face to discuss these important issues.”

The public hearings, all beginning at 6:00 p.m., will be held at the following sites:

February 24, 2003:  Pemberton Elementary School, Salisbury Md. 
February 25, 2003:  JAYCEES Community Center, Waldorf, Md.
February 26, 2003:  Baltimore City College High School, Baltimore, Md.
February 27, 2003:  South Hagerstown High School, Hagerstown, Md.CANCELED 
February 28, 2003:  University of Maryland University College, Marriott Conference Center, College Park, Md. 

Citizens who wish to speak to Commission members may do so in three ways:
appear at any one of the hearings and give oral testimony in public; present confidential testimony in a private setting; or submit written testimony up to March 14, 2003. Citizens who plan on speaking at one of the forums are encouraged to pre-register by calling 410/260-1298.
Written submissions can be mailed to the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Judicial Process at the following address: 
Maryland Judicial Center
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Md. 21401 

The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Judicial Process was established by Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert M. Bell to undertake a critical examination of court-related equality issues, and to propose solutions to the identified problems that are within the power of the judiciary to implement. The Commission will use the information gathered at 
the public forums to reduce or eliminate unequal access and unequal treatment, to increase public confidence in the equal application of the law in Maryland, to identify initiatives that will raise both public and professional awareness, and to develop educational programs for the bench and bar. 

“It is imperative that our legal system operate without bias of any kind, and be perceived as dispending justice fairly and equitably,” says Chief Judge Bell. “To achieve this, we need to hear from the citizens of Maryland to identify the problems and find solutions.”

Media are encouraged to attend. For more information on the public hearings, or the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Judicial Process, please contact the Commission at 410/260-1298.