§ 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:

 ABCD
 Standard
Disposed In
Disposed InDisposed InExcluded Time
District Court
Civil Non-Jury
NA90%
1 year
98%
18 mos.
 
District Court
Civil Jury
 90%
1 year
98%
18 mos.
 
Domestic RelationsNA50%
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/TenantRestitution
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
 
FelonyNA90%
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from the time of filing to the date the trial court entered its judgment/decree, the case is dismissed, the petition is withdrawn, the case is transferred to another court on a change of venue, or the case is otherwise disposed, whichever occurs first.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.