Comment #: MD9140
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Fred is an absolute clown. A disgrace to the judiciary. Cares more about politcal points than he does the FACTS of the case. Incredibly disappointed with Fred, you will be too.

Comment #: MD5601
Rating:3.3
Comments:
He is very biased and cuts deals with his friends and their clients. I have seen him totally make deals with the defense and ignore any of the victims rights. Very sad.

Comment #: MD4086
Rating:9.1
Comments:
Excellent judge. New to the bench, but hears cases fairly and at a good pace. The comments above bashing him are ridiculous. Great temperament and takes his work seriously. Allows lawyers to try their cases. I enjoy trying cases before Judge Hecker not because I always win, but because I know he'll be fair, listen to testimony and argument respectfully, and ask good questions when appropriate.

Comment #: MD3300
Rating:4.0
Comments:
He is biased in favor of his friends, doesn't read pleadings, and lacks knowledge about most legal matters other than criminal matters. He uses the bench as payback to anyone who kicked his butt in private practice or didn't display huge support signs or banners when he was running for office.

Comment #: MD3091
Rating:3.3
Comments:
This man needs to "research" everything. I've gotten the impression that he knows nothing at all without looking it up; even basic things. He's a nice guy but I don't know how he ever became a judge.

Comment #: MD3076
Rating:9.2
Comments:
Very conscientious and willing to research whatever issue is before him without relying on the biases of the advocates before him. A great addition to the Carroll Co. Bench.

Comment #: MD3016
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Judge Hecker is a truly excellent judge. I have appeared before him on four occasions, including two summary judgment hearings. At every hearing, it is abundantly clear that he has read the papers and is thoroughly prepared on the law and the facts of the case. He is very respectful of counsel and the parties, and gives you ample time to make your argument. That said, he is also very good at keeping counsel on point and asking critical questions. He is very practical and excellent at resolving discovery disputes among the parties by focusing on what really matters. He also has a friendly demeanor that puts everyone at ease. He is even-handed and does not appear to demonstrate any bias toward plaintiffs v. defendants. He is not afraid to admit when he makes a mistake, though he usually gets things right.

Comment #: MD3006
Rating:10.0
Comments:
If you appear before Judge Hecker to argue a motion, be prepared because he will be. He is without question the best Circuit Court judge I have ever appeared before. He reads and considers everything that the parties submit, which is evident from his questions during oral argument. He also clearly reads every relevant case to understand the nuances of the law. He asks detailed questions about how the evidence in your case squares with the facts of the controlling cases and probes attorneys about the finer points of the underlying law. He is respectful of the attorneys making the argument and even apologizes if he feels he may have, by a question, interrupted a train of thought. In our case, he had denied a motion for summary judgment and we moved for reconsideration based on a legal standard with a second prong that we believed had not applied. He acknowledged at the start of the argument that he had missed part of the standard (a standard that had changed due to a very recent Court of Appeals case) and reviewed carefully the parties' evidence and argument. When ultimately he granted summary judgment for defendant, he dictated a thorough opinion from the bench. He also was sensitive to the feelings of the plaintiff, who was present, and explained that the outcome was based on the law, not on anything having to do with her conduct. Judge Hecker is "the real deal."