Calvert Cnty. Cir. Ct. Juvenile DCM Plan (introduction)

CIRCUIT COURT FOR CALVERT COUNTY, MARYLAND

Differentiated Case Management Plan for Juvenile Cases

INTRODUCTION

This Juvenile DCM Plan is established in accordance with Md. Rule 16-302(b) which requires the

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

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

scheduling and disposition of action in the Circuit Court.

Consistent with the best interests of the child, the Circuit Court for Calvert County seeks to handle

each juvenile case fairly and to resolve each case promptly, according to applicable statutes,

Maryland Rules and administrative case time standards.

This Plan has been created to integrate statutorily mandated time frames with caseflow events and

court policy to promote the fair and efficient management of sensitive juvenile cases. Customized

procedural tracks govern each case type and reflect the steps taken in the majority of cases.

Meaningful events may be included in several tracks to facilitate timely disposition early in the

case. Postponement requests are governed by a written policy, approved by the County

Administrative Judge, with a view to curbing delay wherever possible.

Essential components of the Plan include (1) review of court processes and services that impact

children and families to ensure responsiveness and efficiency and (2) evaluation of performance

to address case processing issues as they arise.

It is the purpose of this Plan to provide an effective case management system which will assure:

 Equal treatment of all juveniles and families by the court;

 Timely disposition consistent with the circumstances of the individual case;

 Enhancement of the quality of the juvenile case process; and

 Public confidence in the court as an institution.

The provisions of the Plan are not intended to be rigid; some deviation from them is to be expected

from time to time. Additionally, the plan does not purport to override the Maryland Rules or

procedural requirements contained in the Annotated Code of Maryland.

SECTION I

JUVENILE PROCEDURES – DELINQUENCY