Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County Remote Hearing Procedures

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PRE-TRIAL SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES:

Remote pre-trial settlement conferences will proceed as scheduled in all civil, non-domestic cases during the time of restricted court operations. The Office of Case Management will send an email to counsel and unrepresented parties prior to the hearing that details the process and how to participate remotely. Upon resumption of normal operations, counsel and parties will appear in person.
Civil, non-domestic trials that are scheduled for three (3) or more days may receive an order to participate in an additional, follow-up pre-trial settlement conference. These cases will receive an order that sets the hearing and details the process and how to participate remotely.
If extenuating circumstances prevent counsel or a party from participating in the scheduled hearing, it will be necessary to file a motion to postpone in the ordinary course.

TRIALS:

All civil, non-domestic trials that are scheduled during the period of restricted court operations will be rescheduled to a date after the court resumes normal operations.
As indicated above, civil, non-domestic trials that are scheduled for three (3) or more days may receive an order to participate in an additional, follow-up pre-trial settlement conference. If extenuating circumstances prevent counsel or a party from participating in the follow up pre-trial settlement conference, it will be necessary to file a motion to postpone in the ordinary course.

ALL OTHER CIVIL, NON-DOMESTIC HEARINGS:

For all other civil hearings approved by the court to go forward during the period of restricted court operations, these hearings will occur remotely whenever possible. Counsel and unrepresented parties will be contacted with further direction on how to participate.

SCHEDULING CONFERENCES:

The court will hold scheduling conferences to the extent possible during restricted operations. Participation will occur remotely.
Counsel and unrepresented parties will receive an order prior to the hearing date that indicates the date and time of the hearing, as well as details about the process and how to participate remotely.
The date may be reset once by agreement of all counsel and unrepresented parties. To do so, contact the Assignment Office at (410) 222-1422 at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
If extenuating circumstances prevent counsel or a party from participating in the scheduled hearing, and counsel and all unrepresented parties cannot agree to reset the scheduling conference, it will be necessary to file a motion to postpone in the ordinary course.

PRE-TRIAL SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES:

By consent, a pre-trial settlement conference can be requested in a family case during restricted court operations by filing a “Joint Request for Family Pre-Trial Settlement Conference.” Indicate the date and time of the currently scheduled pre-trial, if that same date is requested. If a different date is required, please contact the Assignment Office at (410) 222-1422. The new date and time should be included in the request.
Family merits hearings that are scheduled for three (3) or more days may receive an order to participate in an additional, follow up pre-trial settlement conference. These cases will receive an order that sets the hearing and details the process and how to participate remotely. If extenuating circumstances prevent counsel or a party from participating in the follow up pre-trial settlement conference, it will be necessary to file a motion to postpone in the ordinary course.
All other pre-trial settlement conferences in family cases will be reset to a date after the court resumes normal operations.

CONSENT HEARINGS

By agreement, a consent hearing can be requested in a family case during restricted court operations by filing a “Joint Request for Family Law Consent Hearing.” Please contact the Assignment Office at (410) 222-1422 to clear a date before submitting your request. The date and time should be included in the request. The hearing will be conducted remotely. If granted, counsel and unrepresented parties will receive an order with details about the process and how to participate remotely.
Maryland DHMH Report of Absolute Divorce or Annulment of Marriage

MERITS:

All family merits hearings that are scheduled during the period of restricted court operations will be rescheduled to a date after the court resumes normal operations.
As indicated above, family merits hearings that are scheduled for three (3) or more days may receive an order to participate in an additional, follow up pre-trial settlement conference. If extenuating circumstances prevent counsel or a party from participating in the follow up pre-trial settlement conference, it will be necessary to file a motion to postpone in the ordinary course.

GUARDIANSHIPS:

The court will continue to hear emergency issues in guardianship matters. In addition, the court will hear uncontested guardianships set for 30 minutes or less. All hearings will be held remotely. Counsel and unrepresented parties will be contacted with further direction on how to participate.

ALL OTHER FAMILY HEARINGS:

For all other family hearings approved by the court to go forward during the period of restricted court operations, these hearings will occur remotely whenever possible. Counsel and unrepresented parties will be contacted with further direction on how to participate.

BAIL REVIEWS/HABEAS CORPUS (CIVIL):

Counsel will participate remotely until the court resumes normal operations. Counsel has or will be provided notice via email prior to the hearing that details the process and how to participate remotely.
The defendant will participate via video if the defendant is at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center. If the defendant is at any other facility, the defendant may participate telephonically.

INITIAL APPEARANCES:

The Assistant State’s Attorney will participate remotely until the court resumes normal operations. Counsel were notified via email of how to participate remotely.
The defendant will participate via video if the defendant is at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center. If the defendant is at any other facility, the defendant may participate telephonically.

GUILTY PLEAS / VIOLATIONS OF PROBATION (ADMISSIONS):

In cases in which the State and Defense agree to recommend that the active portion of a sentence is to be time served for an incarcerated individual, counsel shall jointly contact the chambers of the Criminal DCM Judge Michael Wachs, to schedule a hearing. These hearings will be held on Fridays.
Counsel will participate remotely until the court resumes normal operations. Counsel has or will be provided notice via email prior to the hearing that details the process and how to participate remotely.
The defendant will participate via video if the defendant is at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center. If the defendant is at any other facility, the defendant may participate telephonically.

ALL OTHER CRIMINAL HEARINGS:

For all other criminal hearings approved by the court to go forward during the period of restricted court operations, these hearings will occur remotely whenever possible. Counsel and unrepresented parties will be contacted with further direction on how to participate.

For all juvenile hearings that are going forward during the period of restricted court operations, these hearings will occur remotely whenever possible. Counsel and unrepresented parties will be contacted with further direction on how to participate.
If the juvenile is detained/committed, the juvenile will participate via video.