{
 "judge": "gpt56",
 "judge_model": "gpt-5.6-sol",
 "arm": "C",
 "contest": "judge",
 "wall_seconds": 83.1,
 "body_words": 675,
 "parsed": {
  "claims": [
   {
    "n": 1,
    "claim": "The Appellate Court of Maryland is Maryland's intermediate appellate court.",
    "cited": [
     1
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The court's official page uses this description.",
    "evidence_url": "https://www.mdcourts.gov/acm"
   },
   {
    "n": 2,
    "claim": "The Appellate Court is below the Supreme Court of Maryland.",
    "cited": [
     1
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The source identifies the Supreme Court as Maryland's highest court and says Appellate Court litigants may seek its review.",
    "evidence_url": "https://www.mdcourts.gov/acm"
   },
   {
    "n": 3,
    "claim": "The Appellate Court considers appeals from almost any case originating in a circuit court or orphans' court.",
    "cited": [
     1
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "This closely matches the official court description.",
    "evidence_url": "https://www.mdcourts.gov/acm"
   },
   {
    "n": 4,
    "claim": "Voters statewide vote Yes or No on Dan Friedman's retention.",
    "cited": [
     3,
     4
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The Constitution establishes a Yes/No retention vote, and the election CSV identifies his contest as State of Maryland.",
    "evidence_url": "https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2026/General_candidates/2026_GG_statewide_candidatelist.csv"
   },
   {
    "n": 5,
    "claim": "Dan Friedman is the sole nonpartisan judicial-retention candidate in this contest.",
    "cited": [],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "This matches the supplied official ballot information; the state CSV lists only Friedman in the statewide appellate contest and labels the party field Judicial.",
    "evidence_url": "https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2026/General_candidates/2026_GG_statewide_candidatelist.csv"
   },
   {
    "n": 6,
    "claim": "Friedman was born in Panorama City, California.",
    "cited": [
     2
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "minor",
    "note": "The Maryland Manual states this directly.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa16938.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 7,
    "claim": "Friedman earned a University of Maryland College Park B.A. in 1988.",
    "cited": [
     2
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The Maryland Manual confirms the institution, degree and year.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa16938.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 8,
    "claim": "Friedman earned a University of Maryland School of Law J.D. in 1994.",
    "cited": [
     2
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The Maryland Manual confirms the institution, degree and year.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa16938.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 9,
    "claim": "His candidate filing lists Baltimore County as his residential jurisdiction.",
    "cited": [
     4
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The election CSV lists Baltimore County.",
    "evidence_url": "https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2026/General_candidates/2026_GG_statewide_candidatelist.csv"
   },
   {
    "n": 10,
    "claim": "Friedman wrote The Maryland State Constitution: A Reference Guide, republished by Oxford University Press in 2011.",
    "cited": [
     2
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The Maryland Manual gives the title and republication details.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa16938.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 11,
    "claim": "The State Board of Elections lists no website for Friedman.",
    "cited": [
     4
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "minor",
    "note": "The website field in his CSV row is empty.",
    "evidence_url": "https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2026/General_candidates/2026_GG_statewide_candidatelist.csv"
   },
   {
    "n": 12,
    "claim": "No campaign platform or campaign website was found.",
    "cited": [
     4
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The official filing has no website, and a reasonable search did not locate a campaign platform; this is appropriately phrased as a search limitation rather than proof none exists.",
    "evidence_url": "https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2026/General_candidates/2026_GG_statewide_candidatelist.csv"
   },
   {
    "n": 13,
    "claim": "In a 2023 essay, Friedman rejected choosing one constitutional-interpretation theory and advocated using all available interpretive tools.",
    "cited": [
     5
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "His essay says an interpreter should not pick one theory and should use all available interpretive tools.",
    "evidence_url": "https://statecourtreport.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/applying-federal-constitutional-theories-state-constitutions"
   },
   {
    "n": 14,
    "claim": "Friedman has served on the Appellate Court since September 23, 2014.",
    "cited": [
     2
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The Maryland Manual gives that exact start date, including service under the court's former name.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa16938.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 15,
    "claim": "Before becoming a judge, Friedman clerked for Judges John Carroll Byrnes and Robert L. Karwacki.",
    "cited": [
     2
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "Both clerkships are listed in the Maryland Manual.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa16938.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 16,
    "claim": "Friedman worked at Miles & Stockbridge and Saul Ewing.",
    "cited": [
     2
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The Maryland Manual lists both firms and his positions.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa16938.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 17,
    "claim": "Friedman was Baltimore City's chief of litigation from 2000 to 2002.",
    "cited": [
     2
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The source lists him as Associate City Solicitor and Chief of Litigation for those years.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa16938.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 18,
    "claim": "Friedman was an Assistant Attorney General and Counsel to the General Assembly from 2008 to 2014.",
    "cited": [
     2
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The Maryland Manual confirms the title and dates.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa16938.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 19,
    "claim": "Friedman has taught law part-time since 1998.",
    "cited": [
     2
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The source lists him as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland School of Law from 1998 onward.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa16938.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 20,
    "claim": "In September 2026, Friedman agreed that Baltimore City's request to stay an Inspector General records case should be denied.",
    "cited": [
     6
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The report says he agreed with denial of the stay, while offering a different explanation.",
    "evidence_url": "https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/maryland-appeals-court-rejects-baltimore-bid-to-pause-inspector-general-lawsuit"
   },
   {
    "n": 21,
    "claim": "Friedman separately wrote that the City had raised legitimate concerns about protected records.",
    "cited": [
     6
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The report quotes 'legitimate concerns' and identifies attorney-client, work-product, legislative and confidentiality issues.",
    "evidence_url": "https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/maryland-appeals-court-rejects-baltimore-bid-to-pause-inspector-general-lawsuit"
   },
   {
    "n": 22,
    "claim": "Friedman concluded those concerns did not justify a stay.",
    "cited": [
     6
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The report says he found no current irreparable harm sufficient to justify a stay.",
    "evidence_url": "https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/maryland-appeals-court-rejects-baltimore-bid-to-pause-inspector-general-lawsuit"
   },
   {
    "n": 23,
    "claim": "An appellate judge's name appears on the retention ballot without opposition, and voters vote Yes or No.",
    "cited": [
     3
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "Article IV, Section 5A(e) states this expressly.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/04art4.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 24,
    "claim": "If Yes wins, Friedman is retained for a ten-year term.",
    "cited": [
     3
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "Section 5A(e) defines approval as retention for ten years.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/04art4.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 25,
    "claim": "Appellate judges must retire upon turning 70.",
    "cited": [
     3
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "Section 5A(f) establishes mandatory retirement at the seventieth birthday.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/04art4.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 26,
    "claim": "If No wins or the vote is tied, the office becomes vacant ten days after certification.",
    "cited": [
     3
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "Section 5A(e) states this directly.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/04art4.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 27,
    "claim": "The Governor fills an appellate vacancy with the advice and consent of the Senate.",
    "cited": [
     3
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "Section 5A(b) prescribes gubernatorial appointment with Senate advice and consent.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/04art4.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 28,
    "claim": "Friedman served on Judicial Council bodies dealing with court technology, legislation and rules review.",
    "cited": [
     2
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "The Maryland Manual lists the Court Technology Committee, Legislative Committee and Rules Review Subcommittee.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/30sp/html/msa16938.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 29,
    "claim": "Friedman uses textualism, originalism and other interpretive tools, including critical race theory.",
    "cited": [
     5
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "His essay expressly lists these methods and describes how he uses them.",
    "evidence_url": "https://statecourtreport.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/applying-federal-constitutional-theories-state-constitutions"
   },
   {
    "n": 30,
    "claim": "Textualism focuses on constitutional language, while originalism examines what adopters or drafters understood the provision to mean.",
    "cited": [
     5
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "minor",
    "note": "These plain-English summaries accurately reflect Friedman's descriptions.",
    "evidence_url": "https://statecourtreport.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/applying-federal-constitutional-theories-state-constitutions"
   },
   {
    "n": 31,
    "claim": "Attorney-client communications are an example of records that may be legally protected from disclosure.",
    "cited": [
     6
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "minor",
    "note": "The report specifically identifies attorney-client privilege among the protections Friedman discussed.",
    "evidence_url": "https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/maryland-appeals-court-rejects-baltimore-bid-to-pause-inspector-general-lawsuit"
   },
   {
    "n": 32,
    "claim": "Appellate Court judges are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.",
    "cited": [
     1,
     3
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "Both the court page and Constitution state this.",
    "evidence_url": "https://www.mdcourts.gov/acm"
   },
   {
    "n": 33,
    "claim": "After the initial post-appointment election, appellate judges face retention elections every ten years.",
    "cited": [
     1,
     3
    ],
    "verdict": "supported",
    "severity": "major",
    "note": "Section 5A provides an initial election after the required waiting period and elections every ten years thereafter; the page's shorthand is accurate in context.",
    "evidence_url": "https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/04art4.html"
   },
   {
    "n": 34,
    "claim": "No endorsements, organized support or opposition, or campaign spending were found in the sources checked.",
    "cited": [],
    "verdict": "unsupported",
    "severity": "minor",
    "note": "This is a claim about the unnamed author's search process and cannot be independently verified; it is not phrased as proof that none exists.",
    "evidence_url": ""
   },
   {
    "n": 35,
    "claim": "The authors did not find Friedman's earlier retention-election result.",
    "cited": [],
    "verdict": "unsupported",
    "severity": "minor",
    "note": "The author's search history cannot be verified. His 2026 placement ten years after his first likely retention cycle indicates earlier-result research would have been useful.",
    "evidence_url": ""
   },
   {
    "n": 36,
    "claim": "The authors did not find Friedman's age or whether mandatory retirement would shorten a new term.",
    "cited": [],
    "verdict": "unsupported",
    "severity": "minor",
    "note": "The age itself is not asserted, and the claimed search outcome cannot be independently verified.",
    "evidence_url": ""
   },
   {
    "n": 37,
    "claim": "The authors did not find a judicial-discipline record or independent performance rating.",
    "cited": [],
    "verdict": "unsupported",
    "severity": "minor",
    "note": "This describes the author's search rather than establishing that no such material exists.",
    "evidence_url": ""
   },
   {
    "n": 38,
    "claim": "Ballotpedia blocked automated access and Vote411 showed no accessible Maryland entry.",
    "cited": [],
    "verdict": "unsupported",
    "severity": "minor",
    "note": "These session-specific access claims cannot be verified from the supplied citations.",
    "evidence_url": ""
   }
  ],
  "dead_or_fake_urls": [],
  "invented_attribution": [],
  "endorsement": [],
  "equal_treatment_issues": [],
  "rubric": {
   "accuracy": 5,
   "sourcing": 4,
   "balance": 2,
   "usefulness": 3,
   "clarity": 5
  },
  "gate": "pass",
  "gate_reasons": [],
  "summary": "The page accurately explains that this is a statewide Yes/No vote on retaining Dan Friedman for up to ten years, subject to mandatory retirement at 70. Its biography and cited examples are well supported, but it gives voters little affirmative case for voting No and leaves several potentially useful research areas unresolved."
 },
 "raw_tail": "urts.gov/acm\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"n\": 33,\n      \"claim\": \"After the initial post-appointment election, appellate judges face retention elections every ten years.\",\n      \"cited\": [1, 3],\n      \"verdict\": \"supported\",\n      \"severity\": \"major\",\n      \"note\": \"Section 5A provides an initial election after the required waiting period and elections every ten years thereafter; the page's shorthand is accurate in context.\",\n      \"evidence_url\": \"https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/04art4.html\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"n\": 34,\n      \"claim\": \"No endorsements, organized support or opposition, or campaign spending were found in the sources checked.\",\n      \"cited\": [],\n      \"verdict\": \"unsupported\",\n      \"severity\": \"minor\",\n      \"note\": \"This is a claim about the unnamed author's search process and cannot be independently verified; it is not phrased as proof that none exists.\",\n      \"evidence_url\": \"\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"n\": 35,\n      \"claim\": \"The authors did not find Friedman's earlier retention-election result.\",\n      \"cited\": [],\n      \"verdict\": \"unsupported\",\n      \"severity\": \"minor\",\n      \"note\": \"The author's search history cannot be verified. His 2026 placement ten years after his first likely retention cycle indicates earlier-result research would have been useful.\",\n      \"evidence_url\": \"\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"n\": 36,\n      \"claim\": \"The authors did not find Friedman's age or whether mandatory retirement would shorten a new term.\",\n      \"cited\": [],\n      \"verdict\": \"unsupported\",\n      \"severity\": \"minor\",\n      \"note\": \"The age itself is not asserted, and the claimed search outcome cannot be independently verified.\",\n      \"evidence_url\": \"\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"n\": 37,\n      \"claim\": \"The authors did not find a judicial-discipline record or independent performance rating.\",\n      \"cited\": [],\n      \"verdict\": \"unsupported\",\n      \"severity\": \"minor\",\n      \"note\": \"This describes the author's search rather than establishing that no such material exists.\",\n      \"evidence_url\": \"\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"n\": 38,\n      \"claim\": \"Ballotpedia blocked automated access and Vote411 showed no accessible Maryland entry.\",\n      \"cited\": [],\n      \"verdict\": \"unsupported\",\n      \"severity\": \"minor\",\n      \"note\": \"These session-specific access claims cannot be verified from the supplied citations.\",\n      \"evidence_url\": \"\"\n    }\n  ],\n  \"dead_or_fake_urls\": [],\n  \"invented_attribution\": [],\n  \"endorsement\": [],\n  \"equal_treatment_issues\": [],\n  \"rubric\": {\n    \"accuracy\": 5,\n    \"sourcing\": 4,\n    \"balance\": 2,\n    \"usefulness\": 3,\n    \"clarity\": 5\n  },\n  \"gate\": \"pass\",\n  \"gate_reasons\": [],\n  \"summary\": \"The page accurately explains that this is a statewide Yes/No vote on retaining Dan Friedman for up to ten years, subject to mandatory retirement at 70. Its biography and cited examples are well supported, but it gives voters little affirmative case for voting No and leaves several potentially useful research areas unresolved.\"\n}\n```\n\n"
}