Marybeth Ayres
(Rep, Dem)
Biographical Information
Campaign Phone
(301)762-7770
Campaign Instagram
instagram.com/BestBenchForMontgomery
QUALIFICATIONS: How does your experience prepare you for the duties of this judgeship?
Before becoming a judge, I prosecuted murders, robberies, rapes and other serious criminal cases. I have navigated complicated legal issues and I know how to handle both jury and non-jury trials. I have also guided many very vulnerable victims through the legal system in their search for justice. This has taught me that achieving justice requires more than just knowledge of the law; it requires compassion and empathy for people from all walks of life, which I believe I have in abundance.
JUVENILE JUSTICE: How would you address the problem of large numbers of minority youth being imprisoned?
As a judge, I must decide each case based on the law and the unique facts and circumstances of the individuals before me. In the juvenile justice system, the focus is on rehabilitation of the child who is the Respondent. This requires a holistic view of the case in deciding what is the just outcome, including not just the incident in question, but also the child and the child’s life circumstances, including the child’s background and life-challenges.
DIVERSION PROGRAMS: What are your views on diversion programs for behavioral problems and substance abuse?
Diversion programs such as the Drug and Mental Health Courts in Montgomery County are excellent programs for providing the necessary services to many individuals who need these programs to be rehabilitated. In my experience as an Assistant State's Attorney, I recommended these programs for many individuals. Often times, these are the exact services that people need to put themselves on a better path forward. I am proud to work in a county that embraces these programs.
CHALLENGES: What are the greatest challenges facing Maryland’s Circuit Courts and how should they be addressed?
During the COVID crisis, many cases got put on hold, and as a result the system is still trying to resolve this backlog. Litigants should not have to wait as long as they do for such important cases as custody of a child to be heard, for example. In order to tackle this problem, we need more personnel, such as judges, clerks and interpreters, to name a few.