For a long time, there?s been a little secret among Baltimore County judges facing a difficult ruling on evidence. They take a recess to “research” the matter. Then they call Judge Joseph Murphy.
“When other judges get stuck, he?s the guy they call,” said Baltimore-based lawyer Andrew Alperstein. “He?s such a revered expert on the evidence of the law. Judges will say they?re taking a break. All they really did was go back and call Judge Murphy.”
Gov. Martin O?Malley on Tuesday appointed Murphy, 63, the chief judge on Maryland?s second-highest court, to fill a vacancy on the state?s highest court, the Maryland Court of Appeals.
“When the governor called Saturday night, I told him it was the longest jury I ever had out in my life,” Murphy said.
“[Murphy] is very highly regarded for his integrity, intellect, scholarship and service to his community,” O?Malley said in a statement.
Murphy has worked for the Baltimore Legal Aid Bureau, the Baltimore City State?s Attorney?s Office as a deputy, and in private practice. He was appointed to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County in 1984, became a Court of Special Appeals judge in 1993, and became chief judge of the Court of Special Appeals in 1996.
In addition to teaching a class with his daughter at the University of Maryland?s Law School, Murphy is the author of the “Maryland Evidence Handbook” and updates it annually.
“When attorneys want to argue a point of evidence, they?re quoting Judge Murphy?s book on evidence,” Alperstein said.
Murphy said he doesn?t believe he has a particular “judicial philosophy.”
“People will say, ?You?re a plaintiffs? judge? or ?You?re a defendants? judge,” Murphy said. “But I don?t think I?m either. I?m not a minimalist. I don?t think I have a judicial philosophy.”
The Baltimore County resident said he?ll miss his colleagues on the Court of Special Appeals.
“They?re just magnificent, and I?m glad somebody else will have the opportunity to serve with them,” he said.
But there?s a definite benefit to moving up to the state?s highest court.
“It?s always nice to have the final say,” he said.
