![[photo, Murphy Courts of Appeal Building, Annapolis, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/29ap/images/1198-1-136b.jpg)
Appointed by Governor to 6-year terms:Elizabeth Buck Behney, 2004; Alice G. Pinderhughes, Esq., 2004; Annette J. Funn, 2006; J. Michael Conroy, Jr., Esq., 2007; John Paterakis, 2007; Charles R. Jenkins, Sr., 2008.
Staff: James L. Stoops
Murphy Courts of Appeal Building, Annapolis, Maryland, November 2002. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Formed in 1980, the Judicial Compensation Commission considers judicial compensation to ensure that highly qualified persons are attracted to the bench and judges may serve without economic hardship (Chapter 717, Acts of 1980). Every four years, the Commission reviews judicial salaries and pensions. Beginning in 2008, the Commission is to submit its recommendations every four years to the Governor and General Assembly.
The Commission's salary recommendations are introduced as a joint resolution in each house of the General Assembly by the fifteenth day of the session. While the General Assembly may not increase recommended salaries, it may decrease them. If it fails to adopt or amend the joint resolution within fifty days after its introduction, the salaries recommended by the Commission do apply. Commission recommendations concerning pensions are introduced in the form of legislation by the Senate President and the House Speaker and become effective only if passed by both houses.
As of July 1, 2005, annual salaries are: for associate judges of the District Court of Maryland: $114,502 (chief judge: $128,302); for associate judges of the circuit court: $123,352; for Court of Special Appeals judges: $128,302 (chief judge: $131,302); for Court of Appeals judges: $136,852 (chief judge: $155,852) (Joint Resolution no. 1, Acts of 2005).
Increases will continue to be phased in through 2008. So, as of July 1, 2006, the following annual salaries will apply: for associate judges of the District Court of Maryland: $118,502 (chief judge: $134,552); for associate judges of the circuit court: $128,352; for Court of Special Appeals judges: $134,552 (chief judge: $137,552); for Court of Appeals judges: $144,352 (chief judge: $163,352).
As of July 1, 2007, the following annual salaries apply: for associate judges of the District Court of Maryland: $122,752 (chief judge: $142,052); for associate judges of the circuit court: $134,352; for Court of Special Appeals judges: $142,052 (chief judge: $145,052); for Court of Appeals judges: $153,352 (chief judge: $172,352).
As of July 1, 2008, annual salaries will be: for associate judges of the District Court of Maryland: $127,252 (chief judge: $149,552); for associate judges of the circuit court: $140,352; for Court of Special Appeals judges: $149,552 (chief judge: $152,552); for Court of Appeals judges: $162,352 (chief judge: $181,352).
The Governor appoints the Commission's seven members. Two are nominated by the Senate President, two by the House Speaker, and one by the Maryland State Bar Association. Members serve without compensation (Code Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, sec. 1-708).
© Copyright Maryland State Archives