Governor Wes Moore has made significant judicial appointments that are set to bring a diverse range of legal expertise to the benches of Anne Arundel County Circuit Court and Baltimore City District Court. On Friday, Sidney A. Butcher was appointed to the Anne Arundel County bench, while Otis Freeman, Elizabeth López, and Noelle W. Newman are joining the Baltimore District Court, as reported by the governor’s office.
“The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court and Baltimore City District Court are gaining four exceptional legal minds who have dedicated their careers to upholding the law,” Gov. Moore stated via The Daily Record. The experience span of these appointees is broad, including public defense, prosecution, and federal service. Sidney A. Butcher, a sitting judge on Anne Arundel’s District Court since 2019, has a seasoned background that encompasses roles such as an assistant attorney general and a decade as a prosecutor in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office.
Elizabeth López, renowned for her unwavering commitment to public defense, has spent nearly two decades advocating for the underrepresented, with her career marked by significant roles at both the state and federal levels. According to CBS News Baltimore, López has notably shaped the defense strategies for juveniles charged as adults, creating a model that has been adopted statewide…