Charles Cnty. Cir. Ct. Family DCM Plan (introduction)

The Circuit Court for Charles County, Maryland

Family Differentiated Case Management (DCM) Plan

Page | i

Table of Contents

Page | ii

Introduction

This Family1 Differentiated Case Management (DCM) Plan is established in accordance with

Md. Rule 16-302(b)(1)(A) that 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. Differentiated Case Management (DCM) is a system for managing cases

based on their relative complexity and need for judicial involvement.

Statement of Purpose

From the commencement of litigation to its resolution, whether by trial or settlement, any

elapsed time other than reasonably required for pleadings, discovery, and court events, is

unacceptable and should be eliminated. To enable just and efficient resolution of cases, the

court, not the lawyers or litigants, should control the pace of litigation. A strong judicial

commitment is essential to reducing delay and, once achieved, maintaining a current

docket. (Standard 2.50, ABA Standards Relating to Court Delay Reduction2)

It is the purpose of this DCM Plan to provide an effective case management system that will

assure: