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Circuit Court requests new legal-assistant FTE and funding for in-person kiosk help as self-represented filings rise
Summary
Circuit Court asked commissioners to approve a new legal assistant position and funding to help self-represented litigants prepare and file electronic court documents; commissioners expressed skepticism about adding full-time FTEs but acknowledged increased demand from unrepresented litigants and the upcoming MDEC electronic filing rollout.
Circuit Court leadership requested a new legal assistant position and modest furniture and equipment funding at the Feb. 28 budget work session. Court staff said the number of self-represented litigants has risen, and the court will move to the Maryland Electronic Court (MDEC) filing system in June; staff asked for a staffed kiosk and a position to help unrepresented filers navigate scanning and e-filing requirements.
Court administrator and judges noted that one staff member is currently doing dual duties and will focus on administration once Judge Abrams retires. The proposed position was described as covering kiosk support for self-represented litigants and absorbing certain administrative workloads the court administrator previously handled (foreclosures, tax sales, guardianships). Packet materials showed a proposed annual cost of roughly $50,000 for the new position, plus modest furniture replacements for chambers and administrative staff.
Commissioners expressed reservations about adding a full-time FTE during a year of constrained budgets and declined the position at that moment: several commissioners said they do not support new FTEs unless offset by vacancy savings or reassignments. Circuit Court leadership said they would work with staff on vacancy-neutral options and pursue grant funding for the kiosk where appropriate.
Ending: Court officials said they will explore reassigning duties, temporary staffing or grant-supported kiosk support and return with options that do not increase net county FTEs without offsetting reductions elsewhere.
