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

Each court date should be used as an opportunity to update and verify all contact

information of the defendant. Moreover, each court appearance should be viewed as an

opportunity to exchange more information and dispose of the case before trial.

In accordance with Md. Rule 4-271(a) and Md. Code, Criminal Procedure, § 6-103(b)(1),

for good cause shown, the county administrative judge or a designee of the judge may grant a

change of the trial date in a circuit court on motion of a party or on the initiative of the circuit

court. The objective is to comply with Md. Code, Criminal Procedure, § 6-103(a)(1) to complete

trial within 180 days after the earlier of either the appearance of counsel or the first appearance of

the defendant before the circuit court. If the postponement of any event will implicate the Hicks

Rule, the defendant must either waive the right to a speedy trial or a finding of good cause to go

beyond the Hicks deadline must be made in open court before the county administrative j udge or

his/her designee, with the defendant present. Written waivers will not be accepted.

In the event that a trial or hearing has commenced but cannot be concluded on the

scheduled date(s) and time, the judge presiding is authorized to continue the matter to the next

available date except in a criminal matter when a continuance would take the case outside the

Hicks rule. Only the county administrative judge or his/her designee may continue the matter

beyond the limits of the Hicks rule.