Howard County Circuit Court Filing Timing and Cure Windows

WARNINGCriminal cases

For Track 2, the scheduling conference, including arraignment, is scheduled within 30 days of filing.

Within 30 days of filing. This will include the arraignment.

WARNINGCivil cases

Plaintiff expert identification is due 14 days before the merits event in Track 2 and 14 days before the settlement conference in Tracks 3 and 4.

Plaintiff Expert ID 14 days before Merits 14 days before Settlement Conference 14 days before Settlement Conference

WARNINGCivil cases

Rebuttal Expert ID 21 days before Merits 21 days before Settlement Conference 21 days before Settlement Conference

Rebuttal Expert ID 21 days before Merits 21 days before Settlement Conference 21 days before Settlement Conference

WARNINGCriminal cases

For Track 3, arraignment or initial appearance is scheduled within 30 days of filing.

Within 30 days of filing.

WARNINGCivil cases

Defendant Expert ID 14 days before Merits 14 days before Settlement Conference 14 days before Settlement Conference

Defendant Expert ID 14 days before Merits 14 days before Settlement Conference 14 days before Settlement Conference

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibit List 1 week before Merits 1 week before Merits 1 week before PL Hearing and 10 days before Merits

Exhibit List 1 week before Merits 1 week before Merits 1 week before PL Hearing and 10 days before Merits

WARNINGCriminal cases

For Track 3, trial is scheduled within 180 days of filing.

Within 180 days of filing.

WARNINGCriminal cases

For Track 2, trial is scheduled within 120 days of filing.

Within 120 days of filing.

WARNINGCivil cases

The trial date is listed as 270 days from filing in Track 2, 335 days from filing in Track 3, and 335 from filing in Track 4.

Trial Date 270 days from filing 335 days from filing 335 from filing

WARNINGCivil cases

Computer Evidence 14 days before Merits 14 days before Settlement Conference 14 days before Settlement Conference

Computer Evidence 14 days before Merits 14 days before Settlement Conference 14 days before Settlement Conference

WARNINGCivil cases

Pleading amendments are due 30 days before the merits event in Track 2 and 14 days before the settlement conference in Tracks 3 and 4.

Amendments to Pleadings 30 days before Merits 14 days before Settlement Conference 14 days before Settlement Conference

WARNINGCivil cases

Deadline

48 hours

An interpreter request not cancelled at least 48 hours before trial or a hearing results in a bill to the court, and the court may assess needless interpreter costs against the responsible party or counsel.

If a request for interpreter is not cancelled at least 48 hours in advance of the trial or hearing, the court will be billed for the interpreter’s services. If the court is billed for an interpreter needlessly as a result of counsel’s failure to advise the court that the interpreter will not be needed, or because counsel or a litigant does not appear in court in a timely fashion, the court may assess the interpreter costs against the party or counsel causing the unnecessary expense.

WARNINGCriminal cases

For Track 1, trial is scheduled within 90 days of case initiation.

Within 90 days of initiation.

WARNINGCivil cases

If extenuating circumstances prevented filing within 30 days after deployment ended, the court may set an expedited hearing whenever the petition is filed.

If the court finds that extenuating circumstances prohibited the filing of the petition within 30 days after the end of the deployment of the parent, the court may set a hearing on the petition on an expedited basis whenever the petition is filed.

WARNINGCivil cases

Discovery Deadline 10 days before Merits 10 days before Settlement Conference 10 days before Settlement Conference

Discovery Deadline 10 days before Merits 10 days before Settlement Conference 10 days before Settlement Conference

WARNINGCriminal cases

For Track 2, discovery motions hearings are completed 30 days before trial.

30 days prior to trial.

WARNINGCriminal cases

For Track 1, discovery motions hearings are completed 7–30 days before trial if needed.

7-30 days before trial, if needed.

INFOCivil cases

Track 1 cases will be placed on the court’s docket within 30 to 270 days, subject to the Maryland Rules of Procedure.

Cases will be set on the court’s docket within 30 to 270 days, but in no event contravene the Maryland Rules of Procedure.

INFOCriminal cases

For Track 1, sentencing if the defendant is found guilty typically occurs the same day as trial or 30 days after trial.

Same day or 30 days after trial typically.

INFOCivil cases

The Plan sets a goal that 98% of civil non-domestic cases should conclude within 18 months of filing.

 Civil Non-Domestic Cases – 98% should be concluded within 18 months of the filing date.

INFOCivil cases

The Plan sets a goal that 98% of foreclosure cases should conclude within 24 months of filing.

 Foreclosure Cases – 98% should be concluded within 24 months of the filing date.

INFOCriminal cases

For Track 2, sentencing if the defendant is found guilty typically occurs the same day as trial or 60 days after trial.

Same day or 60 days after trial typically.