Circuit Court for Prince George's County
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Upon Filing
Adjournments
- The Court may extend the discovery deadline for good cause shown.
- A disposition hearing for a detained or community-detained respondent may be postponed if the court finds good cause.
- Postponement motions for adjudicatory hearings beyond statutory deadlines may be granted only upon a showing of extraordinary cause, and ordinary scheduling conflicts generally do not qualify.
- +35 more
Request must include
- An attorney unable to attend the initial Scheduling Conference must contact the Office of Calendar Management at least seven days in advance to obtain a new date and time.
Document Format Requirements1 rule
A request for an emergency hearing must be made by filing a motion in motion format.
In order to request an emergency hearing, a motion must be filed (in motion format)
Document Filing Requirements17 rules
Counsel must file a line of appearance with the Clerk’s Office before the arraignment can be removed from the calendar.
Counsel entering his/her appearance on behalf of a respondent must file a line of appearance with the Clerk’s Office in order for the arraignment to be removed from the calendar.
Document Type
Line Of Appearance
In CINA cases, the filing attorney should coordinate the date with the magistrate and all counsel and include the date and time on the proposed order.
In CINA cases, the attorney filing the motion should clear the date with the magistrate and all counsel and include the date and time on the proposed order.
Document Type
Motion
A family case is initiated by filing a complaint with the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, and most family complaints must include the completed Domestic Case Information Form.
a) File a complaint with the Court (Md. Rule 2‐111) at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Most family cases are required to attach a completed Domestic Case Information Form (CC‐DCM‐001), with the complaint.
Document Type
Complaint
A defendant who seeks to modify the original case information report or anticipates a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim must file a defendant’s Family Case Information Report with the Answer.
In addition, if the defendant seeks to modify any information on the original case information report, or expects to file a counterclaim, cross‐ claim, or third‐party claim, he/she is required to file with the Answer a defendant’s Family Case Information report.
Document Type
Answer
An ex parte application requires a written certification that affected parties received notice or that commensurate efforts were made to provide notice.
no court order upon an ex parte application unless the moving party certifies in writing that all parties who will be effected have been given notice of the time and place of presentation or that the specified efforts commensurate with the circumstances have been made to give notice.
Document Type
Ex Parte Application
The emergency-hearing motion must carry the specified title.
must be titled, MOTION FOR AN EMERGENCY HEARING.
Document Type
Motion
An emergency-hearing motion must be accompanied by an affidavit and certificate of service detailing the emergency facts.
An affidavit and certificate of service must accompany the motion for an emergency hearing detailing the facts that give rise to the emergency.
Document Type
Motion
In cases with contested marital-property issues, counsel and unrepresented parties must prepare and exchange initial Rule 9-207 joint statements before the settlement conference.
In advance of any Settlement Conference, counsel and unrepresented parties are required to prepare and exchange initial drafts of a Md. Rule 9‐207 Joint Statement of Parties Concerning Marital and Non‐Marital Property in all cases with contested issues involving marital property.
Document Type
Joint Statement Of Parties Concerning Marital And Non-Marital Property
An ex parte request must include certification of notice or of efforts commensurate with the circumstances to notify the opposing side or counsel.
Md. Rule 15‐504 requires that any ex parte request be accompanied by certification of notice, or alternatively, of specified efforts commensurate with the circumstances to attempt to provide notice to the opposing side or their counsel.
Document Type
Ex Parte Request
Counsel and unrepresented parties must prepare and exchange proposed Child Support Guidelines before the settlement conference.
Also, in advance of any Settlement Conference, counsel and unrepresented parties are required to prepare and exchange proposed Child Support Guidelines
Document Type
Proposed Child Support Guidelines
Draft guidelines must be provided to the settlement judge for use at the Settlement Conference.
The draft guidelines must be provided to the settlement judge for use in the Settlement Conference.
Document Type
Draft Guidelines
At every Settlement Conference, the Court must enter an order reciting the decisions made there.
In every case at Settlement Conference, the Court shall enter an order that recites the decisions made at the Settlement Conference.
Document Type
Order
A defendant must file a defendant’s Case Information Report with the Answer if the defendant seeks to modify the original case information report or anticipates filing a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim.
if the defendant seeks to modify any information on the original case information report, or expects to file a counterclaim, cross‐claim, or third‐party claim, he or she is required to file with the Answer a defendant’s Case Information Report.
Document Type
Answer
A complaint for Confessed Judgment must include an affidavit and does not require a proof of service.
A complaint for Confessed Judgment requires an affidavit but no proof of service (Rule 2-611)
Document Type
Confessed Judgment Complaint
Counsel or the parties must prepare and file a written Pretrial Statement/Trial Readiness Statement in accordance with Md. Rule 2-504.2.
Counsel or the parties shall be directed to prepare and file, no later than 5 business days prior to the Pretrial Conference, a written statement (Pretrial Statement/Trial Readiness Statement) in accordance with Md. Rule 2‐504.2.
Document Type
Pretrial Statement
The Domestic Case Information Form is not required for the listed exempt family-case subtypes.
Family case subtypes exempt from filing the Domestic Case Information Form include the following: • Contempt for failure to pay child support, when filed by a government agency • Domestic violence relief under Code, Family Law Article, §§ 4‐501 through 4‐516, including Md. Rule 3‐326(c) transfer • Guardianship, other than action to terminate parental rights (Md. Rules 10‐201 through 10‐305) • Paternity, when filed by government agency (Code, Family Law Article, §§ 5‐1001 through 5‐1048)
Document Type
Complaint
The motion should state all relevant facts, including why immediate court attention is needed.
The motion should contain all of the relevant facts including the reason why the matter needs immediate court attention.
Document Type
Motion
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The arraignment must be scheduled within 14 days after the delinquency petition is filed.
An arraignment is scheduled within 14 days of the filing of the petition.
Page 5 | Arraignment
The respondent must furnish required discovery within 10 days after the discovery request is made.
The respondent shall furnish the discovery required under this section within 10 days after a request is made.
Page 6 | Discovery
The Detention/Shelter Care Hearing must occur no later than the next court session day after DJS authorizes detention.
The Court must conduct a Detention/Shelter Care Hearing no later than the next day that the Court is in session, following the authorization by the DJS intake officer of detention.
Page 6 | Detention/Shelter Care Hearing
A detention-status review hearing must be held every 14 days after the adjudicatory hearing until the disposition hearing, but this rule does not apply to detention pending the adjudicatory hearing.
If the respondent remains detained or on community detention following the Adjudicatory Hearing, a hearing to review the respondent’s detention status must be held every 14 days until the Disposition Hearing is held (CJP § 3‐8A‐15(d)(6)).
Page 6 | Detention Review Hearing
The SAO must provide and request discovery within five days after the earlier of counsel’s appearance or the respondent’s waiver of counsel.
The SAO is required to provide discovery to and request discovery from the respondent per the requirements of Md. Rule 11‐109, within five days after the earlier of the appearance of counsel, or the waiver of counsel under Md. Rule 11‐106.
Page 6 | Discovery
After DJS intake authorization of detention, community detention, or shelter care, the SAO must immediately file a petition requesting continuation.
If the intake officer from the DJS authorizes detention, community detention, or shelter care, the paperwork is sent to the SAO who must immediately file a petition requesting its continuation.
Page 6 | File a Detention Petition
If a prepaid-cost waiver is denied, the plaintiff has 10 days to pay the un-waived costs; timely full payment results in deemed filing on the waiver-request date, while nonpayment results in withdrawal.
Pursuant to Md. Rule 1-325, if the Court does not grant the request to waive prepaid costs, the plaintiff has 10 days to pay the filing and other required fees (prepaid costs). If, within that time, the party pays the full amount of the un-waived prepaid costs, the pleading or paper shall be deemed to have been filed on the date the request for waiver was filed. If the un-waived prepaid costs are not paid in full within the time allowed, the pleading or paper shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
Page 5 | File a Case
Subject to specified exceptions, the defendant must typically file an affirmative Answer within 30 days after receiving the summons.
The defendant must file, with some exceptions (Md. Rule 2‐321)5, an affirmative Answer (Md. Rule 2-323) typically within 30 days after they have received a summons.
Page 7 | Answer
For an action subject to dismissal, the clerk must notify all parties that a dismissal order will be entered after 30 days unless a motion defers the order.
When an action is subject to dismissal pursuant to this Rule, the clerk, upon written request of a party or upon the clerk's own initiative, shall serve a notice on all parties pursuant to Md. Rule 1-321 that an order of dismissal for lack of jurisdiction or prosecution will be entered after the expiration of 30 days unless a motion is filed to defer entry of the order of dismissal.
Page 7 | Lack of Prosecution
Discovery motions should comply with the Maryland Rules and Scheduling Order and, in all cases, be filed at least 30 days before the pretrial settlement conference.
Discovery motions should be filed as provided in the Maryland Rules and Scheduling Order, and in any case, no less than 30 days prior to the pretrial settlement conference.
Page 12 | Discovery
If prepaid-cost waiver is denied, the plaintiff has 10 days to pay the filing fee and other required prepaid costs.
Pursuant to Md. Rule 1-325, if the Court does not grant the request to waive prepaid costs, the plaintiff has 10 days to pay the filing and other required fees (prepaid costs).
Page 6 | File a Case
Failure to pay all un-waived prepaid costs within the allowed period causes the pleading or paper to be deemed withdrawn.
If the un-waived prepaid costs are not paid in full within the time allowed, the pleading or paper shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
Page 6 | File a Case
A pleading is deemed filed on the waiver-request date if the party timely pays all un-waived prepaid costs in full.
If, within that time, the party pays the full amount of the un-waived prepaid costs, the pleading or paper shall be deemed to have been filed on the date the request for waiver was filed.
Page 6 | File a Case
Procedural, discovery, and dispositive motions may be filed until 30 days before trial.
Procedural, discovery, and dispositive motions may be filed up to 30 days before trial.
Page 9 | Discovery
The written Pretrial Statement/Trial Readiness Statement must be filed no later than five business days before the Pretrial Conference.
Counsel or the parties shall be directed to prepare and file, no later than 5 business days prior to the Pretrial Conference, a written statement (Pretrial Statement/Trial Readiness Statement) in accordance with Md. Rule 2‐504.2.
Page 18 | Pretrial Conference
A foreclosure mediation request must be filed within 25 days after service of the Order to Docket or mailing of the FLMA and must be accompanied by a $50 filing fee unless waived.
A mediation request must be filed no later than 25 days after the service of the Order to Docket (if the Final Loss Mitigation Affidavit (FLMA) is part of the Order to Docket or Complaint) or the FLMA is mailed, and accompanied by a $50.00 filing fee, unless the fee is waived.
Page 20 | Foreclosure Case Process
Parties must file a new-trial or judgment-alteration motion within 10 days, and must file an appeal within 30 days.
The parties have 10 days to file a motion for a new trial in the District Court (Md. Rule 2‐533), or file a motion to alter or amend a judgment (Md. Rule 2‐534); and 30 days to file an appeal.
Page 23 | Post‐Judgment
The prevailing party usually must wait 10 days before taking further legal action to enforce a judgment.
The prevailing party usually must wait 10 days before they can take further legal action to enforce the judgment.
Page 23 | Enforcement
A response to a motion must be filed within 15 days after the motion is served.
A response to a motion, if made, must be filed within 15 days after service of the motion.
Page 13 | Motions Hearings
Mandatory motions generally must be filed within 30 days after the defendant's first appearance or counsel's entry of appearance, but discovery-based mandatory motions must be filed within 5 days of discovery.
Mandatory motions4 include matters that must be raised, or are automatically waived by the Court if not filed within 30 days after the first appearance of the defendant or the entry of appearance by counsel, except as a result of discovery and filed within 5 days of discovery.
Page 14 | Motions Hearings
An application for sentence review must be filed within 30 days after the sentence is imposed.
An application for sentence review 6 must be filed within 30 days after imposition of a sentence.
Page 15 | Post‐Judgment
A motion for modification of sentence must be filed within 90 days after the sentence is imposed in Circuit Court.
If you want the Court to consider your motion, a motion for modification of a sentence5 must be filed within 90 days after the imposition of a sentence in Circuit Court.
Page 15 | Post‐Judgment
The Review Panel must file its decision within 30 days after the sentence-review application is filed.
The Review Panel does not need to conduct a hearing, but must file a decision within 30 days after the application is filed.
Page 15 | Post‐Judgment
An appeal of a judgment must be filed with the Court of Special Appeals within 30 days after the judgment is issued.
An appeal of a judgment must be filed with the Court of Special Appeals within 30 days of issuance of the judgment.
Page 15 | Post‐Judgment
A postponement motion filed before 2:00 p.m. the day before the hearing is processed on an expedited basis if it includes all parties’ positions or the clerk can obtain them.
If a Motion to Postpone is filed with the Clerk’s Office prior to 2:00 p.m. on the day before the scheduled hearing and the motion includes the positions of all parties, or the Clerk’s Office is able to obtain the positions of all parties, the motion will be processed on an expedited basis.
Page 13 | Postponement Procedures
A postponement motion filed after 2:00 p.m. the day before the hearing is docketed and forwarded to the magistrate or judge, and most such motions are addressed in open court on the original hearing date.
A motion to postpone a hearing filed after 2:00 p.m. on the day before a scheduled hearing will be docketed by the Clerk’s Office, and will be forwarded to the magistrate/judge. Due to shortness of time, the majority of these motions will be addressed in open court as a preliminary matter on the originally scheduled date.
Page 13 | Postponement Procedures
Mediation must occur within 60 days after the request is transmitted and is conducted by an Administrative Law Judge at OAH.
Mediation occurs within 60 days after transmittal of the request and is conducted by an Administrative Law Judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).
Page 20 | Foreclosure Case Process
A juvenile-court transfer motion is not mandatory, must be filed separately, and is waived under the same time restrictions as mandatory motions.
A motion for transfer to juvenile court, though not considered mandatory, must be filed separately and is considered waived under the same time restrictions as mandatory motions.
Page 14 | Motions Hearings
Service and Proof of Service Rules
When a CINA petition is filed without a shelter care request, the Clerk’s Office must mail summons to the parent, guardian, or custodian and prepare an appointment order for the child’s counsel.
The County Attorney's Office or the Department of Social Services files a CINA petition. If there is no shelter care request when the petition is filed, the Clerk’s Office issues and mails summons for the parent, guardian, or custodian and prepares the appointment order for counsel for the child.
Page 9 | CINA Petition Filed
The summons must be served within 60 days and, together with the original complaint, delivered by certified mail with restricted delivery receipt, private process, or the sheriff.
The summons has a 60‐day time limit to serve the defendant. After the time limit has expired, the summons is no longer valid, unless renewed by motion of the plaintiff. The original complaint and summons must be delivered to the defendant. There are three legal ways to deliver these documents to the defendant: 1) Certified Mail with Restricted Delivery Receipt; 2) Private Process; and 3) Sheriff.
Page 6 | Service
An Affidavit of Service, using forms CC-DR-55 or CC-DR-56, must be filed.
b) Proof of Service. The court requires an Affidavit of Service (CC‐DR‐55 and CC-DR-56) form to be filed.
Page 6 | Service
An Affidavit of Service using form CC-DR-55 or CC-DR-56 must be filed.
(b) Proof of Service. The court requires an Affidavit of Service (CC‐DR‐55 or CC-DR-56) form to be filed.
Page 6 | Service — Proof of Service
The plaintiff must deliver the original complaint, summons, and Case Information Form to the defendant.
The original complaint, summons, and Case Information Form must be delivered to the defendant.
Page 6 | Service
Service remains incomplete until the service receipt is filed with the court.
Service is not complete until the receipt is filed with the court.
Page 6 | Service — footnote 2
A prevailing party seeking to garnish wages or accounts or seize money or property must provide the other party with copies of all motions and correspondence filed with the court.
The prevailing party must file documents with the Court and provide the other party with copies of all motions or correspondence filed with the Court in order to garnish or seize money or property.
Page 23 | Enforcement
After the clerk enters judgment, both parties receive a copy of the judgment by mail.
After the Court issues a judgment and it is entered into the record by the Clerk’s office, both parties will receive a copy of the judgment by mail.
Page 23 | Enforcement
The defendant must be served with a summons to appear when the trial date is set at arraignment.
When the trial date is set at the arraignment, the defendant is served with a summons to appear.
Page 12 | Assignment and Scheduling
When arraignment is waived because the defendant is represented by counsel, a summons for the next scheduled event may be served by mail or in person.
If the arraignment has been waived because the defendant is represented by counsel, a summons is served by mail or in person for the next scheduled event.
Page 12 | Assignment and Scheduling
The complaint, summons, and Case Information Form may be delivered to the defendant by certified mail with restricted delivery receipt, private process, or the sheriff.
There are three legal ways to deliver these documents to the defendant: 1) Certified Mail with Restricted Delivery Receipt 2 ; 2) Private Process; and 3) Sheriff.
Page 6 | Service
The Clerk’s Office mails the homeowner a Notice of Foreclosure Action with information and assistance resources.
The Clerk’s Office will then mail to the homeowner a Notice of Foreclosure Action which provides available resources of information and assistance regarding the foreclosure process.
Page 20 | Foreclosure Case Process
A complaint for Confessed Judgment is exempt from the proof-of-service requirement.
A complaint for Confessed Judgment requires an affidavit but no proof of service (Rule 2-611)
Page 8 | Track 1 – Civil Expedited Cases (Limited Discovery)
Filing Fees and Waivers
A divorce filing fee of $165.00 applies, although the court may waive it based on a waiver request, representation by a civil legal aid lawyer, or another court determination.
b) Pay filing fee. Refer to the Summary of Charges, Costs, and Fees of the Clerks of the Circuit Court for fees. The filing fee for divorce cases is $165.00. (See Divorce, Complaint for Limited or Absolute.) Filing fees may be waived by the court, based on the following conditions: ✓ Filing by the plaintiff of the Request for Waiver of Prepaid Costs (CC‐DC‐089); ✓ Representation by a civil legal aid lawyer; and/or ✓ Other determination by the court.
Page 5 | File a Case
Most civil complaints require a $165 filing fee, which the court may waive based on a waiver request, representation by a civil legal aid lawyer, or another court determination.
(b) Pay the filing fee. Refer to the Summary of Charges, Costs, and Fees of the Clerks of the Circuit Court for fees. The filing for most civil complaints is $165.00. (See Civil, New Case.) Filing fees may be waived by the court, based on the following conditions: ✓ Filing by the plaintiff of the Request for Waiver of Prepaid Costs (CC‐DC‐089); ✓ Representation by a civil legal aid lawyer; and/or ✓ Other determination by the court.
Page 6 | File a Case
A foreclosure mediation request requires a $50 filing fee unless the fee is waived.
A mediation request must be filed no later than 25 days after the service of the Order to Docket (if the Final Loss Mitigation Affidavit (FLMA) is part of the Order to Docket or Complaint) or the FLMA is mailed, and accompanied by a $50.00 filing fee, unless the fee is waived.
Page 20 | Foreclosure Case Process
A prevailing party seeking enforcement must file additional forms, pay the required filing fees, and appear for additional hearings.
To begin an enforcement action, the prevailing party will have to complete and file more forms with the Court, pay the required filing fees and appear in court for additional hearings.
Page 23 | Enforcement
A waiver of prepaid costs may be requested using form CC-DC-089.
CC‐DC‐089 Request for Waiver of Prepaid Costs
Page 16 | Forms
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Original postponement motions must be filed with the Clerk’s Office; courtesy copies to chambers are permitted after filing.
Do not send original Motions for Postponement directly to chambers. Courtesy copies may be provided once the original motion is filed with the Clerk’s Office.
Page 13 | Postponement Procedures
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
The County Administrative Judge or designee will rule on written motions to postpone hearings exceeding statutorily mandated deadlines that do not require extraordinary cause; such motions will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
The County Administrative Judge or his/her designee will rule on written motions for postponement of hearings that exceed statutorily mandated deadlines, but do not require a finding of extraordinary cause. These motions will only be granted on a showing of good cause.
Page 12 | Postponements – Disposition Hearings
Postponement motions for adjudicatory hearings beyond statutory deadlines may be granted only upon a showing of extraordinary cause, and ordinary scheduling conflicts generally do not qualify.
Motions for postponement of Adjudicatory Hearings beyond the statutorily-mandated deadlines will be ruled on by the Family or Juvenile Coordinating Judge or the designee of the County Administrative Judge. These motions will only be granted on a showing of extraordinary cause. Extraordinary cause is that which is not foreseeable, usual, or predictable. Generally, scheduling conflicts on their face do not constitute extraordinary cause.
Page 12 | Postponements – Adjudicatory Hearings
A party must file a timely motion to address the scheduling change when the matter becomes contested and allow the opposing party time to respond.
If the matter has become contested, the party must file a timely motion providing time for the opposing party to respond as provided for in the rules.
Page 8 | Uncontested Final (Merits) Hearings
A party or attorney with a conflict on the scheduled hearing date must file a timely motion and allow the opposing party time to respond.
If a party or attorney has a conflict on the date of the scheduled hearing, they must file a timely motion providing time for the opposing party to respond as provided for in the rules.
Page 8 | Uncontested Final (Merits) Hearings
Hearing dates set at the Scheduling Conference may be postponed only by a motion showing good cause.
Hearing dates established at the time of the conference shall not be postponed except upon motion for good cause.
Page 9 | Scheduling Conference (Mandatory for Tracks 2 and 3)
An attorney unable to attend the initial Scheduling Conference must contact the Office of Calendar Management at least seven days in advance to obtain a new date and time.
If an attorney is unable to attend the initial Scheduling Conference, he or she MUST contact the Office of Calendar Management at least 7 days in advance to obtain a new date/time.
Page 10 | Re‐Scheduling Conferences (Postponements)
A request to postpone or reschedule a Settlement Conference requires a motion for continuance; the Office of Calendar Management clears dates with counsel rather than having counsel propose them, and a new notice issues after all parties agree.
Any request to postpone or re‐schedule a Settlement Conference requires that the parties file a motion for continuance. The file and continuance will be sent to the Office of Calendar Management for new dates. Once the file is received, the Office of Calendar Management will call and clear new dates with counsel. Counsel does not propose dates. A new notice will generate once a date has been agreed upon by all.
Page 13 | Postponement or Cancellation of a Settlement Conference
The scheduling or rescheduling of every specially assigned family case must receive advance approval from the Office of Calendar Management.
The scheduling or re‐scheduling of all specially assigned cases must be cleared with the Office of Calendar Management in advance in order to ensure judicial availability.
Page 15 | Special Assignment
A family-case postponement must be requested by written motion submitted to the coordinating judge for approval.
A written motion for postponement is sent to the coordinating judge for approval.
Page 15 | Postponements
A continuance that would place a specially assigned family matter beyond the applicable time standards is handled by the Family Coordinating Judge.
Continuances that would set the matter beyond time standards will be handled by the Family Coordinating Judge.
Page 15 | Special Assignment
Parties may request a continuance when unavailable for the scheduled trial date if the new date is cleared with the Office of Calendar Management and is within 60 days of the original date.
If the parties are unavailable on the scheduled trial date, they may file a consent request for continuance provided that the date is cleared with the Office of Calendar Management and the new trial date is within 60 days of the original date.
Page 9 | Scheduling Order
A party must file a court motion to request a trial date more than 60 days after the original date.
To request a date beyond 60 days from the original date the party must file a motion with the court.
Page 9 | Scheduling Order
Only the Civil Coordinating Judge may approve continuances.
Continuances are only to be approved by the Civil Coordinating Judge.
Page 19 | Trial
Postponement requests for civil proceedings generally must be made by motion under Md. Rules 2-508 and 2-311 and are considered by the Civil Coordinating Judge or designee.
Except as provided below, requests for the postponement of any civil proceedings, shall be made by motion pursuant to Md. Rules 2‐508 and 2‐311. These requests will be considered, in accordance with the provisions of this Plan, by the Civil Coordinating Judge or his/her designee.
Page 25 | Postponements
Consent of the parties or incomplete discovery alone does not justify postponement; requests must be timely, and last-minute requests absent emergencies will be denied.
Cases will not be postponed merely by the consent of the parties or because discovery has not been completed. Any request for postponement must be timely made. Last minute requests for postponement, absent emergencies, shall be denied.
Page 25 | Postponements
A vacation-based postponement request must be made within 10 calendar days of the scheduled event.
For vacations, requests for postponement must be made within 10 calendar days of the scheduled event;
Page 25 | Good Cause Requirement
Before judicial consideration, the moving party or counsel must coordinate with the Office of Calendar Management to propose a reset date consistent with case time standards; failure to do so may result in denial or nonconsideration.
Before the Court will consider any request for postponement, the moving party or counsel must coordinate with the Office of Calendar Management a proposed re‐ set date, consistent with the case time standards. Failure to coordinate this date may result in the postponement not being considered.
Page 25 | Postponements
A trial postponement may be granted only for good cause and only by the Criminal Coordinating Judge or another judge assigned by the County Administrative Judge.
Postponements will only be granted for good cause by the Criminal Coordinating Judge or other judge assigned by the County Administrative Judge.
Page 14 | Trial– Tracks 2, 3, and 4
Only one judge at a time may be designated with postponement authority.
Pursuant to the Rule, only one judge may be designated to have postponement authority at a time.
Page 17 | Postponements
Scheduling or rescheduling of every specially assigned case must be approved in advance by the Office of Calendar Management.
The scheduling or re‐scheduling of all specially assigned cases must also be cleared in advance with the Office of Calendar Management in order to ensure judicial and juror availability.
Page 17 | Specially assigned cases
The designated postponement judge must consult the specially assigned judge for a postponement recommendation and clear new court dates on that judge's calendar.
The designated postponement judge will confer with the specially assigned judge for a recommendation as to the postponement and to clear new court dates on the assigned judge’s calendar.
Page 17 | Specially assigned cases
All postponement requests must be considered by the County Administrative Judge or the Administrative Judge's designee.
Pursuant to Md. Rule 4-271(a)(1) all postponement requests must be considered by the County Administrative Judge or his/her designee.
Page 17 | Postponements
For specially assigned cases, the assigned judge initiates subsequent case management and scheduling, but the designated postponement judge must decide postponements or scheduling affecting the trial date or 180-day Hicks period.
If the case is specially assigned, subsequent case management decisions and scheduling will be initiated by the specially assigned judge consistent with the case time standards, however, pursuant to Md. Rule 4-271(a)(1), all postponements or scheduling that affects the trial date or the 180-day Hicks period, must be made by the judge who is designated by the County Administrative Judge to rule on postponements.
Page 17 | Specially assigned cases
When any postponement implicates the Hicks Rule, the designated judge must make the waiver or good-cause finding in open court with the defendant present; written waivers are prohibited, and counsel may coordinate the hearing with the Criminal Coordinating Judge's chambers.
If the postponement of any event will, in any way, implicate the Hicks Rule, a Hicks waiver or finding of good cause must be made in open court, by the designated postponement judge. The defendant shall be present in open court and written waivers will not be accepted. If necessary, counsel may coordinate a postponement/Hicks hearing with the chambers of the Criminal Coordinating Judge.
Page 18 | Hicks issues
A party seeking a postponement must coordinate the proposed reset date with the opposing party, Court, and Office of Calendar Management; failure to do so may prevent consideration, while compliance neither guarantees the continuance nor constitutes the Court's consent.
Any party requesting a postponement of a trial or any other hearing shall coordinate a proposed re‐ set date with the opposing party, the Court, and the Office of Calendar Management consistent with case time standards. Failure to coordinate a re‐set date may result in the postponement not being considered. Compliance with this procedure does not guarantee that any continuance will be granted and will not be interpreted by the Court as constituting consent to the postponement.
Page 18 | Clearing New Dates
A same-day postponement request must be raised at the beginning of the criminal docket and promptly referred to the designated postponement judge; if denied, the case returns to the trial judge.
Counsel requesting postponement of a case on the day it is set for trial or hearing shall bring it to the Court’s attention at the beginning of the criminal docket and shall promptly be referred to the designated postponement judge for consideration. If the postponement request is denied, the case shall be referred back to the trial judge for further handling.
Page 18 | Same Day Postponements
A disposition hearing for a detained or community-detained respondent may be postponed if the court finds good cause.
The Disposition Hearing may be postponed upon a finding of good cause, pursuant to CJP §3‐8A‐15(d)(6)(ii).
Page 8 | Track 2 – Detention
When a trial is postponed for good cause, a new date is assigned, when possible within the time standard, before the originally assigned trial judge.
If the trial date is postponed for good cause, a new trial date will be rescheduled, within time-standard when possible, on the calendar of the originally assigned trial judge.
Page 19 | Trial
The court permits only one postponement of a trial date, and only for possible settlement or good cause.
The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County will permit only one postponement of the trial date for possible settlement, or for good cause.
Page 19 | Trial
For specially assigned cases, postponement requests go to the specially assigned judge, but trial-date postponement standards remain the same as for other cases.
If a case has been specially assigned, postponement requests shall be directed to the specially assigned judge. The standards for postponement of the trial date shall remain the same as for cases not specially assigned.
Page 25 | Postponements
When postponement is granted, the Scheduling Order remains effective except as amended by the postponement order, and the Court controls future case scheduling under the Plan.
If a postponement is granted, the provisions of the Scheduling Order shall remain in effect except as may be amended by the terms of the postponement order. The Court shall determine the future scheduling of the case consistent with the intent and purposes of this Plan.
Page 25 | Postponements
Track 3 cases are subject to a strict postponement policy because parties and counsel had an opportunity to address scheduling at the Status Conference.
For Track 3 cases, a strict postponement policy will be followed since parties and counsel will have had the opportunity to provide input on scheduling at the time of the Status Conference.
Page 25 | Postponements
The listed circumstances are generally not considered good cause for postponement.
The following are generally NOT considered good cause for postponement:
Page 26 | Good Cause Requirement
A Motion for Postponement, form CC-DC-070, is used to request a change to a scheduled hearing or trial.
The following form is used to request a change in a scheduled hearing or trial at the Circuit Court. CC‐DC‐070 Motion for Postponement
Page 27 | Forms
The postponement-authority limitation generally applies to specially assigned cases as well as all other Circuit Court cases, subject to stated exceptions.
Except as stated below, this limitation on postponement authority applies to all cases in the Circuit Court, including cases that are specially assigned to a judge.
Page 17 | Specially assigned cases
Same-day postponement requests for VOP, post-conviction, coram nobis, sentencing, modification, status-conference, and juvenile-waiver matters must be made to the assigned judge instead of following the same-day referral procedure.
The above-mentioned procedure shall not apply to VOP, post‐conviction, coram nobis, sentencing, modification hearings, status conferences, or juvenile waiver hearings. In those cases, requests for postponement shall be made to the judge to whom the case is assigned.
Page 18 | Same Day Postponements
The Court may extend the discovery deadline for good cause shown.
The Court, for good cause shown, may extend the time for discovery.
Page 6 | Discovery
The listed circumstances are generally treated as good cause for postponement.
The following shall generally be considered good cause for postponement:
Page 25 | Good Cause Requirement
For VOP, post-conviction, coram nobis, sentencing, modification, status-conference, and juvenile-waiver matters, the assigned judge may schedule and postpone the matter at that judge's discretion.
These limitations do not apply to VOP, post‐conviction, coram nobis, sentencing, modification hearings, status conferences, or juvenile waiver hearings. In those matters, the judge to whom the case is assigned, may schedule and postpone them in the judge’s discretion.
Page 17 | VOP and Sentencing hearings
Chambers Communication Rules
Reasonable oral or written notice must be provided to the respondent and the respondent’s parent, guardian, or custodian.
Reasonable notice, oral or written, shall be given to the respondent and the respondent’s parents, guardian, or custodian.
Page 6 | Detention/Shelter Care Hearing