r1r STANDING COMMITTEE ON RULES OF PRACTICE - Maryland ...

of probation proceeding is proposed to be added following Rule 4-
347 (e)(1). Proposed amendments to Rules 4-642 and 16-819 allow
an interpreter to be present during grand jury proceedings under
certain circumstances and add provisions concerning the
appointment, oath, and compensation of the interpreter.
Category Three includes a proposed amendment to Rule 7-112
that allows an appellant to dismiss an appeal at any time before
the commencement of trial, and a proposed amendment to Rule 8-423
that expressly provides for the reduction of the amount of a
supersedeas bond if the court makes specific findings justifying
the amount.
The proposals set forth in Category Four update the Rules in
Title 9, Chapter 100 to conform them to Chapter 464, Acts of 2005
(SB 710), which reorganized and revised the law pertaining to
adoptions and guardianships that terminate parental rights. New
Forms 9-102.1 through 9-102.10 for consents and attorney
affidavits are proposed to follow Title 9. Also included in
Category Four is a conforming amendment to Rule 1-101. For the
Court’s reference, as an appendix to this Report, is an unmarked
copy of Title 9, Chapter 100, showing the Rules as they would
appear if the recommended changes are adopted.
Based largely on provisions in the Maryland Standards of
Practice for Court-Appointed Lawyers Representing Children in
Custody Cases, approved and adopted by the Conference of Circuit
Judges, Category Five consists of proposed new Rule 9-205.1
(Appointment of Child’s Counsel), proposed new Appendix: Maryland
Guidelines for Practice for Court-Appointed Lawyers Representing
Children in Cases Involving Child Custody or Child Access, and
proposed amendments to Appendix: Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of
Professional Conduct. The proposals contain procedures for the
appointment of child’s counsel in custody and child access
litigation and clarify the roles of child’s best interest
attorney, child’s advocate attorney, and child’s privilege
attorney. In conjunction with the Guidelines, the Maryland
Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct are proposed to be amended
by conforming language in the Preamble and Scope to the
terminology used in the Introduction and Scope of the Guidelines
and by adding commentary concerning conflicts of interest and a
reference to the Guidelines in the Comments to Rules 1.7 and
1.14, respectively.
In Category Six are proposals relating to the Commission on
Judicial Disabilities – proposed new Rule 16-804.1 and amendments
to Rules 16-803, 16-804, 16-805, 16-806, and 16-808. The
creation of a Judicial Inquiry Board and procedures governing its
operation are intended to decrease the Commission’s involvement
in the investigatory process as well as to facilitate early
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