US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

      (a)      (1)      The date for trial of a criminal matter in the circuit court shall be set within 30 days after the earlier of:

                  (i)      the appearance of counsel; or

                  (ii)      the first appearance of the defendant before the circuit court, as provided in the Maryland Rules.

            (2)      The trial date may not be later than 180 days after the earlier of those events.

      (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:

                  (i)      on motion of a party; or

                  (ii)      on the initiative of the circuit court.

            (2)      If a circuit court trial date is changed under paragraph (1) of this subsection, any subsequent changes of the trial date may only be made by the county administrative judge or that judge's designee for good cause shown.

      (c)      The Court of Appeals may adopt additional rules to carry out this section.