Md. Admin. Order of 1998-08-07 (Early Release for Holidays)

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF MARYLAND

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

EARLY RELEASE FOR HOLIDAYS

WHEREAS, local governments and other units of State government frequently allow their

employees to leave early before the Christmas or New Year's holiday, thereby causing confusion as

to court closings, especially where Judicial Branch employees are located in buildings where

employees of a local government or another unit of State government also work; and

WHEREAS, in consideration of the public and counsel, court calendars and court business

generally are not heavy on those days; and

WHEREAS, it is essential to ensure that the courts are open for business; and

WHEREAS, it would be helpful to have formal policies authorizing early release of some,

but not all, Judicial Branch personnel; and

WHEREAS, such personnel policies should comport with the following order;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Robert M. Bell, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and

administrative head of the Judicial Branch, pursuant to the authority conferred by Article IV, § 18

of the Maryland Constitution, do hereby order that the Court of Appeals of Maryland, the Court of

Special Appeals of Maryland, the Circuit Courts for Baltimore City and the Counties, the District

Court of Maryland, the Orphans' Courts, the offices of the Clerks of Courts, the Administrative

Office of the Courts, and the court-related agencies shall remain open with at least minimal staff as

prescribed by the section of the Judiciary's published procedures for early release on non-emergency

situations, after 2 p.m. in the afternoon preceding the day observed for December 25th and January

1st or, if those holidays are observed on Monday, after 2 p.m. in the afternoon of the preceding

Friday.

/s/ Robert M. Bell

Chief Judge

Filed: August 7, 1998

/s/ Alexander L. Cummings

Clerk

Court of Appeals of Maryland