§ 6-101. Time for disposition of cases in district and county courts.

§ 6-101. Time for disposition of cases in district and county courts.

   (A) Cases should be disposed of according to the following time standards:

 

A

B

C

D

 

Standard
Disposed In

Disposed In

Disposed In

Excluded Time

District Court
Civil Non-Jury

NA

90%
1 year

98%
18 mos.

 

District Court
Civil Jury

 

90%
1 year

98%
18 mos.

 

Domestic Relations

NA

50%
180 days

95%
1 year

Mediation
Parent Education

Post Judgment Motions--Modification & Post Convictions

 

50%
180 days

95%
1 year

 

County Court
Civil Non-Jury

 

90%
6 mos.

99%
9 mos.

 

County Court
Civil Jury

 

90%
12 mos.

99%
18 mos.

 

Landlord/Tenant

Restitution
99% in 14 days

90%
60 days
Damages

99%
90 days
Damages

 

Small Claims

 

 

99%
60 days from Service

 

County Court
Protection Orders

 

 

99%
30 Days

 

Felony

NA

90%
6 mos.

98%
1 year

Warrant, Drug Court

County Court
Criminal
Misdemeanor & Traffic

90%
3 months

95%
6 months

99%
9 months

Warrant, Drug Court
Time from plea to sentencing

Guardianships/
Conservatorships
Uncontested

 

90%
60 days

100%
120 days

 

G/C Contested--
Selection of
Fiduciary

 

75%
90 days

100%
180 days

 

G/C Contested

Necessity of Appt.

 

75%

120 days

100%

240 days

 

Probate--No Federal Estate Tax

 

90%
12 Months

100%
18 months

 

Probate with Federal
Estate Tax

80%
15 months

90%
18 months

100%
24 months or within 45 days of IRS closing letter/final order in litigation

 

   The age of a case is measured from the time of filing to the date the trial court entered its judgment/decree, the case is dismissed, the petition is withdrawn, the case is transferred to another court on a change of venue, or the case is otherwise disposed, whichever occurs first. Not included for the purpose of determining the age of the case is the time the case is out of the control of the trial judge, such as the time a warrant is outstanding, a party is undergoing assessment or involved in drug court, a bankruptcy stay is in effect, or parties are pursuing court required mediation or parenting education.

   (B) Appropriate procedures should be implemented by the trial judge to meet these standards, and such procedures may include, but are not limited to, the following:

   (1) Early identification of cases that may be resolved without delay or that may be protracted, and a process whereby these cases are given special administrative attention when appropriate;

   (2) Timeframes for the completion of critical steps in the litigation process, including discovery;

   (3) Commencement of trials on a date certain, scheduled with adequate notice to all parties; judges should consider setting more than one trial on a date certain to ensure efficient use of judicial resources while minimizing the numbers of cases that must be reset;

   (4) Utilizing early progression orders and mandatory disclosures to shorten the discovery phase and minimize discovery disputes;

   (5) Firm, consistent procedures for minimizing continuances.

   (C) Each member of the bar shall cooperate with the judiciary in meeting these standards.

   (D) All cases shall be assigned to a judge.

§ 6-101 amended November 27, 2013.