Judge Donna Schaeffer, administrative judge for the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, told the County Council on May 15 that the court met state case‑time standards across case types and has prioritized judicial security after two recent assessments.

Schaeffer said the court resolved 93.7% of civil non‑family cases within the 18‑month standard, 89.1% of family‑law cases within one year, 94.6% of criminal cases within 180 days and 96.1% of juvenile cases within 90 days. She described two security assessments — by the Maryland Judiciary and the Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Homeland Security Branch — that together produced more than 60 recommended improvements; several recommended items have already been implemented.

“As a result, we’ve worked to create a much improved judicial threat reporting protocol,” Schaeffer said, explaining the new system immediately emails law enforcement and court leadership when a threat is reported and triggers an immediate threat assessment. She said the sheriff’s office now provides “a deputy in every courtroom for every court proceeding regardless of the case type.”

Councilmembers asked about reclassification and staffing changes and about whether the courtroom deputies respond to a specific rise in threats. Schaeffer said the court has “definitely seen an increase in threats to the judiciary” over the last couple of years and that having deputies in courtrooms is intended as a preventative measure and has been “very, very good.”

Schaeffer also described the Family Law self‑help center — staffed by two attorneys — as one of the busiest in the state, offering in‑person assistance with forms and filings and often drawing users from neighboring counties. The center had grant support for additional non‑attorney support staff when funding would not support a third attorney.

The presentation was informational; no formal council vote was taken.