ANNAPOLIS (September 15, 2003) – The Maryland State Law Library’s year-long lecture series continues this month with a special lecture on “Judicial Independence,” given by the Honorable James N. Vaughan, Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland. The lecture will be held on September 18, 2003 at 12:00 p.m. at the Maryland State Law Library, located in the Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building—361 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis.

Chief Judge Vaughan, who will be celebrating his second year as District Court Chief Judge on the date of the lecture, will provide an interesting and insightful perspective on the history and importance of an independent judiciary. After the lecture, Chief Judge Vaughan will invite attendees to offer their thoughts on the subject, and open the floor for a lively discussion and debate. 

“Judicial independence is such an essential, but also misunderstood, piece of our democratic system,” said Michael Miller, director of the Maryland State Law Library. “It is also a topic that often sparks debate, which should make this lecture very spirited.”

“Judicial Independence” is the second in a series of lectures being held by the Maryland State Law Library to celebrate its 175 years of service to the State. The first lecture, “A Brief History of Law Libraries,” was delivered by Shelley Dowling, recently retired head librarian of the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics for future lectures include Elder Law in Maryland (Jason Frank, November 5, 2003); the value of unpublished Maryland court opinions in legal research; Maryland’s Bill of Rights from 1776 to the present; and the future of legal research. Dates and speakers will be announced throughout the year.

Media are invited to attend. For more information on this event or to RSVP, please contact Catherine McGuire at 410/260-1557 or by e-mail at catherine.mcguire@courts.state.md.us.