Queen Anne's Cnty. Cir. Ct. Criminal DCM Plan II

A. INITIAL APPEARANCE

An initial appearance (via video conference proceeding when available) shall be held in all

criminal actions if the appearance of an attorney has not been entered and will be scheduled by the

Assignment Office. Unless a warrant has been issued, if the defendant has been released on bail or

personal recognizance and is not represented by counsel, the Assignment Office shall establish a

date for an initial appearance that is at least 14 days after filing in the Circuit Court and advise the

docketing clerk to send summons to all parties. Defendant will be informed of the dates for

motions hearing and trial, as designated on the Court Schedule, at the initial appearance, and the

clerk’s office will thereafter send copies of notices and orders to defendant by regular mail.

If the appearance of an attorney is entered before a scheduled initial appearance of the

defendant, the Assignment Office will instruct the docketing clerk to (i) remove the action from

the Court Schedule for initial appearance and will schedule the motions hearing and trial and

advise the clerk’s office to (ii) send a copy of the motions hearing and trial assignment notice to

the defendant, the State’s Attorney, counsel and any surety.

B. BAIL REVIEW

Upon notification of the apprehension of a person pursuant to an arrest warrant or body

attachment issued by this Court in a criminal action, the Assignment Office shall instruct the

clerk’s office to (i) promptly arrange for that person to be brought before the next regular court

session for purposes of bail review and initial appearance (via video conference proceeding, if

available) and (ii) issue notice assigning the action for trial or other proceedings.

C. MOTIONS HEARING

When an indictment or criminal information is filed in the Circuit Court, the Assignment

Office shall schedule a date for a Motions hearing that is 75-90 days from the date of filing. The

Assignment Office will advise the clerk’s office to issue a notice of the motions hearing date,

which will be sent to the State’s Attorney, defendant, defense counsel, and any surety.

In order for an evidentiary hearing to be held on the motions hearing date, any omnibus

motion must be supplemented with specific allegations and points of law upon which the parties

intend to rely. At or before the motions hearing, the parties shall advise the Court regarding any

guilty plea offer, [waiver of] trial by jury, and final arrangements for the scheduled trial.

D. GUILTY PLEA AGREEMENT AND/OR WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL OR

COURT TRIAL

Any guilty plea or waiver court or jury trial shall occur on the motions hearing date,

unless extraordinary circumstances exist to delay the guilty plea to the trial date. No guilty pleas

are to be undertaken on the trial date unless such a determination has been made for good cause

shown on the motions hearing date.

E. TRIAL

When an indictment or criminal information is filed in the Circuit Court, whether or not

the appearance of an attorney has been entered, the Assignment Office shall schedule a trial date

that is within 100 days from filing and advise the Docketing Clerk to send notice to the State’s

Attorney, the defendant, and any defense counsel or surety.

F. OTHER CRIMINAL MOTIONS, SENTENCE MODIFICATION,

DISPOSITIONS, INITIAL APPEARANCES

The Assignment Office shall schedule hearing dates as needed and advise the clerk’s

office to issue notice of hearing assignment. The clerk’s office will send notice to defendant,

State’s Attorney, counsel, and any surety. In all other cases, the Assignment Office will refer

motions to the court, with suggested dates for setting a hearing.