As the executive and legislative branches of our federal government approach yet another “crisis” that they created by setting up a partial government shutdown of one of our most important departments — Homeland Security — our “leaders” are, as usual, spending too much time developing talking points and not enough time figuring out how to make our increasingly fragile representative democracy work.

Tagged with: Legal Commentary maryland pursuit of justice steven i. platt

As Gov.-elect Larry Hogan fills posts in his incoming administration, it would behoove him to pay attention not only to the qualifications, but also the management style of the men and women who seek appointive office at the highest levels in the new government.

Tagged with: Legal Commentary maryland pursuit of justice steven i. platt

As the Ferguson, Missouri, community along with the rest of the country reacts to the decision of the St. Louis County grand jury not to indict police officer Darren Wilson, the secrecy of its deliberations for months and the lack of accountability that has inevitably accompanied it should raise serious questions about the utility of the aging institution of the grand jury.

Tagged with: Legal Commentary maryland pursuit of justice steven i. platt

As the general election for governor and virtually all of the state and local offices in our state except the Baltimore mayor and City Council approach, it is clearer than ever how the manner in which campaigns are conducted affects the initiation and implementation of public policy once the election is over.

Tagged with: Legal Commentary maryland pursuit of justice steven i. platt

In recent years, courts have been faced with an ever-rising tide of litigation. Many of the issues raised by a good portion of this litigation go to the very heart of our political, economic, social and cultural order.

Tagged with: Legal Commentary maryland pursuit of justice steven i. platt

The courthouse of the future will have multiple doors and many methods of dispute resolution available behind those doors.

Tagged with: Legal Commentary maryland pursuit of justice steven i. platt

In my last column, I hope that I left readers to at least agree that Maryland’s criminal justice system needs an unprecedented and thorough review.

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Almost a quarter of a century ago, in his State of the Judiciary Address to the 1990 session of the General Assembly, the then-chief judge of the Court of Appeals, the late Robert C. Murphy, said:

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The month of April has at best been a month during which events have generated serious questions about our federal government’s ability to protect its citizens, as well as its ability to institutionally respect and respond to the will of the huge majority of the people officials were elected to represent.

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The most recent presidential election took place about 90 days ago. Seems like it has been longer than that. The Maryland General Assembly began its 90-day session less than a month ago with “big issues” on its agenda. The backdrop for both events is the continuing sharp division of both our political class and the people who elect them, both nationally and in our “Free State.”

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