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 Appeals from County Court to District Court 98% 180 days 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from the time of filing to the date the trial court entered its judgment/decree, the case is dismissed, the petition is withdrawn, the case is transferred to another court on a change of venue, or the case is otherwise disposed, whichever occurs first.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; § 6-101(A) amended December 13, 2023, effective April 1, 2024.