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Maryland

Effective Date: N/A
State:
 Maryland
Court Type: Appellate
Implementing Authority: N/A
Status: N/A
Time Standards: Maryland has no case processing time standards for the appellate court system.
 
Effective Date: April 1, 2001
State:
 Maryland
Court Type: Trial
Case Type: Civil
Implementing Authority: Judicial Council
Status: Mandatory
Time Standards: Circuit:
(filing of case to disposition)
98% in 18 months

District:

Civil Large Claims:
(service to entry of judgment)
98% in 250 days

Civil Small Claims:
(service to entry of judgment)
98% in 90 days
 
Effective Date: April 1, 2001
State:
 Maryland
Court Type: Trial
Case Type: Criminal
Implementing Authority: Judicial Council
Status: Mandatory
Time Standards:

Circuit:

Criminal Cases:
(first appearance of defendant or entry of appearance by counsel to disposition)
98% in 6 months

District:

Criminal/Section 21-902 Cases:
(date of filing to disposition)
98% in 180 days

Traffic:
All Traffic - Must Appear Cases:
(date of filing or amendment from circuit court to disposition)
98% in 120 days

Payable Traffic Cases:
(date of filing to disposition)
98% in 120 days

DWI Cases:
(date of filing or amendment from circuit court to disposition)
98% in 180 days

 
Effective Date: April 1, 2001
State:
 Maryland
Court Type: Trial
Case Type: Domestic
Implementing Authority: Judicial Council
Status: Mandatory
Time Standards:

Circuit:

Domestic Relations (including child access):
(filing of case to disposition)
90% in 12 months
98% in 16 months

 
Effective Date: April 1, 2001
State:
 Maryland
Court Type: Trial
Case Type: Juvenile
Implementing Authority: Judicial Council
Status: Mandatory
Time Standards:

Circuit:
Delinquency Cases
(first appearance of respondent or entry of appearance by counsel to disposition)
98% in 90 days

CINA Shelter
(shelter care hearing to adjudication)
100% in 30 days
NOTE: The standards for CINA only measure one event at this time, not the case in its entirety.

CINA Non-Shelter
(service of CINA petition to adjudication)
100% in 60 days

Termination of Parental Rights
(filing of petition to ruling on petition)
100% in 180 days

 
Monitoring Information: Since the inception of case time standards in Maryland, an assessment of performance against the standards is conducted annually on a statistically significant sample. The courts review the information contained in the assessment application for accuracy and completeness. During this data quality phase, which lasts for 30 days, all necessary corrections are made. This process provides court staff and judges an opportunity to more closely review processing through a thorough review of case jackets and automated systems. As a result, they are able to discern trends or patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed, leading to the development of more effective case management reports, implementation of programs, and re-engineering of work processes. Once their review is completed, each court is required to submit to the Judicial Council a written report outlining the assessment results for each case type, along with a plan for improvement in those areas below standard. In addition, each written report contains a synopsis of any initiatives undertaken or programs implemented to improve overall case management and case processing. The Administrative Office provides technical assistance services to courts for purposes of enhancing performance. An analysis is conducted of the statewide and individual jurisdiction results that is presented to the Judicial Council. At this time, recommendations for modifications to the standards are presented along with best practices that may be adopted by other courts. Each court (administrative judge, clerk, and court administrator) receives a copy of the statewide results, as well as their individual results. 

The annual performance assessment is submitted with the Judiciary’s budget request to the General Assembly and is otherwise public information.

Notes: In 1999, Maryland was in the process of implementing case processing time standards for all major case types in civil, family, criminal, and juvenile courts.

In April of 2001, the Judicial Council adopted time standards for all major case types. Standards were developed using the ABA’s Standards Relating to Trial Courts, with adjustments made according to Maryland rules and statues.
Standards were adopted for child welfare cases in 2005.