NCJ Number
118392
Date Published
1989
Length
309 pages
Annotation
This document examines gender bias in the Maryland judicial system and lists remedies by the Special Joint Committee on Gender Bias.
Abstract
The Committee's investigation addressed the following areas: domestic violence, child custody and visitation, child support, alimony, court treatment of personnel, selection of judges, and treatment of women in the courtroom. After two years of study, hearings, and review of surveys and documents, the Committee is convinced that gender bias has a major and negative impact on the judicial system of Maryland. Decisions in cases involving domestic violence and family law, the selection of judges, the treatment of female court employees, and the environment of the courtroom all are affected by attitudes, practices, and policies which differentiate according to gender. In most situations, women are the ones who are harmed by gender bias. Many of the problems affecting women in the judicial system arise during controversies over intimate relationships involving husband and wife, nonmarried partners, and parents and child. Recommendations include: the appointment of an advisory body to investigate complaints of gender bias and of a study commission on equity in family law; amendment of the Code of Judicial Conduct to provide explicit direction that gender bias is a form of partiality beneath the ethical standards of the judiciary; and, finally, the appointment of a joint committee to carry out the recommendations relating to court employees. Appendix.