Baltimore City Cir. Ct. Criminal DCM Plan (introduction)

CIRCUIT COURT FOR

BALTIMORE CITY

CRIMINAL DIVISION

Differentiated Case Management Plan

May 9, 2024

This Criminal DCM Plan is established in accordance with Rule 16-302(b), which requires the

County Administrative Judge to develop and, upon approval by the Chief Justice of the Supreme

Court of Maryland, implement and monitor a case management plan for the prompt and efficient

scheduling and disposition of actions in the Circuit Court.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of the Criminal DCM Plan is to provide a structured system for the timely and efficient

management of cases. The Circuit Court for Baltimore City acknowledges its responsibility for

managing case progress. From the commencement of litigation to its resolution, whether by trial or

other disposition, any elapsed time other than reasonably required for pleadings, dis covery, and

court events, is unacceptable and should be eliminated. To enable just and efficient resolution of

cases, the Court will control the pace of litigation. A strong judicial commitment is essential to

reducing delay and once achieved, maintaining a current docket.

The objectives of the Criminal DCM Plan include:

1. Firm and credible case assignment and scheduling of events;

2. Expedited case disposition for incarcerated defendants;

3. Judicial supervision consistent with the complexity of each case; and

4. Effective and efficient use of judicial resources.

Further, consistent with case time standards adopted by the Judicial Council, cons titutional

requirements and applicable court rules, it is the goal of the Plan to comply with accepted time

standards, to wit: 98% of all cases shall be completed within 180 days of the defendant’s first

appearance in the Circuit Court or the entry of appearance by counsel, whichever is earlier. In order

to achieve this goal, this Court is also committed to resolving different categories of cases within

a regular and predictable time frame warranted by the needs of those cases.

CASE MANAGEMENT

The policies and procedures outlined in this plan shall be implemented by the Judge-In-Charge of

the Criminal Docket (JICCr). The JICCr shall exercise and have authority over all criminal issues

including postponements as designated by the Administrative Judge pursuant to Rule 16-105(d)(2).

The JICCr shall monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the Criminal DCM Plan with the

assistance of the Associate Administrator and Research Analyst. Any issues with the Plan will be

discussed at the monthly case management meetings1 chaired by the JICCr.

All judges and staff are responsible for compliance with the Plan and the effective management of

cases assigned to them, including adherence to the case time standards.

Under the supervision of the JICCr, the criminal analyst prepares regular reports, which measure

case processing performance and provide overview of how court resources are utilized. These reports are

crucial to the success of the Criminal DCM Plan. The reports include the following:

1 These meetings are attended by members of the Clerk’s Office, State’s Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office,

members of the private criminal defense bar, Criminal Assignment, and Pretrial Release Services.