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Long-vacant ‘Judicial Vacancies’ page finally occupied
Those perusing the “Judicial Vacancies” page on the Judiciary’s website recently might have come across something unusual — actual vacancies.
After former Gov. Martin O’Malley appointed 10 judges in December, there had not been a vacancy on any court at any level until late last month. Now, Gov. Larry Hogan has two seats on the bench to fill, including a major one.
The first vacancy listed is for the Court of Appeals to replace Judge Glenn T. Harrell Jr., who last month reached the mandatory retirement age of 70. Applications for the Prince George’s County-based seat are due by 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Harrell told The Daily Record he will remain on the state’s top court until his successor is seated. The judicial nominating commission is scheduled to meet Aug. 7 but there is no timetable for Hogan to make a selection. The Court of Appeals is not scheduled to hear arguments again until Sept. 2.
The other judicial vacancy is in Montgomery County Circuit Court to replace Judge Audrey A. Creighton, who formally retired July 3. Creighton had informed Hogan in June she would be stepping down.
Creighton had been limited as to what cases she could hear since last year, after she accused her ex-boyfriend, a former client, of kidnapping and assault. Rickley Senning pleaded guilty in January and was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but three suspended.
Creighton’s replacement would have to run for a full, 15-year term in next year’s elections.
