Tracks are numeric categories assigned to each case that drive how dates are scheduled and time standards are met according to Differentiated Case Management, or DCM guidelines.
The following tables provide quick references for Civil, Criminal, Family, and Juvenile case types:
| Civil Track | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | Cases litigating legal issues with no discovery or that do not require formal discovery (e.g., District Court Appeals; Injunctions; Mechanic’s Liens; Restraining Orders; Administrative Appeals; Mandamus Cases; Judicial Release Cases; Declaratory Relief; Forfeiture Cases (money or vehicles); Landlord and Tenant Jury Demands and Appeals; Sale in Lieu of Partition (not involving divorce matters); Protection from Domestic Violence; Uncontested Divorce Cases |
| 2 | Expedited Track for cases with an anticipated length of trial to range from half a day to a full day (e.g., Workmen’s Compensation cases; Civil Jury Demands from District Court; Due on Account; Auto Negligence – Personal Injury and Property Damage; Breach of Contract; Negligence – Property Damage and Personal Injury; Due on Promissory Note) |
| 3 | Standard 2-3 Day Trial (e.g., Auto Negligence – Personal Injury, Property Damage, and Slip & Fall; Breach of Agreement; Breach of Contract; Negligent Entrustment; Violation of Rights; Defamation of Character – Negligence; Wrongful Discharge) |
| 4 | Complex (4 or more trial days or intensive motions) (e.g., Medical Malpractice; Legal Malpractice; Abuse Cases; Fraud Cases; Defamation of Character) |
| 5 | Expedited Business and Technology (B&T) - tried within seven months of the date of the filing of the first defendant's responsive pleading (temporarily tracked as Track B until the Administrative Judge determines the track assignment) - the complaint presents commercial or technological issues of such a complex or novel nature that specialized treatment is likely to improve the administration of justice (Rule 16-205(c)) |
| 6 | Standard Business and Technology (B&T) - tried in not more than twelve months of the date of the filing of the first defendant's responsive pleading (temporarily tracked as Track B until the Administrative Judge determines the track assignment) - the complaint presents commercial or technological issues of such a complex or novel nature that specialized treatment is likely to improve the administration of justice (Rule 16-205(c)) |
| 7 | Expedited Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource (ASTAR) (temporarily tracked as Track A until the Administrative Judge determines the track assignment) - the complaint presents scientific and/or medical issues of such a complex or novel nature that specialized treatment is likely to improve the administration of justice |
| 8 | Standard Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource (ASTAR) (temporarily tracked as Track A until the Administrative Judge determines the track assignment) - the complaint presents scientific and/or medical issues of such a complex or novel nature that specialized treatment is likely to improve the administration of justice |
| Criminal Track | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Jury Demands - come from District Court because the defendant has demanded a jury trial. Appeals - come from District Court because the defendant has appealed the outcome of the case (includes Violations of Probation). |
| 2 | Indictments & Informations - Defendant locally incarcerated at the time the charging document is filed. Low-to-medium complexity (e.g., robbery; burglary; daytime housebreaking; storehousebreaking; CDS (drug); theft; forgery; uttering; and aggravated assaults) |
| 3 | Defendant on bond/writ status (incarcerated outside Montgomery County and therefore needs to be brought to the County via a writ issued by the Court). Low-to-medium complexity (e.g., robbery; burglary; daytime housebreaking; storehousebreaking; CDS (drug); theft; forgery; uttering; and aggravated assaults) |
| 4 | Complex cases, regardless of whether the defendant is incarcerated, that are identified by counsel and the Court as requiring enhanced judicial supervision and resources, including those charging homicide; rape; first and second degree sex offenses; child abuse; major fraud; arson; NCR cases; joined (consolidated) cases involving multiple co-defendants or related criminal events; or cases relying upon the results of DNA evidence. |
| Family Track | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | Fast track for uncontested cases; only track designated by Family Division Screener/Clerk (e.g., uncontested divorce cases). Includes divorce on the grounds of "mutual consent" cases as of 10/1/2015 |
| 1 | All Family Law cases in which a summons is issued begin as Track 1. The majority of Family cases are eventually assigned to Tracks 2 and 3. The track designation will be confirmed or changed at the Scheduling Hearing; includes cases that were partially filed as Uncontested Divorce on the Grounds of Mutual Consent |
| 2 | Cases involving any or all of the following issues: visitation; alimony; legal custody; child support; limited property; pension; cost; attorney fees; and divorce. Cases cannot involve physical custody issues and limited discovery issues |
| 3 | Cases involving physical custody and any of the following issues: visitation; alimony; child support; property; pension; attorney fees; and divorce. May involve moderate discovery. Bifurcated Track: Stage 1 - physical custody issues; Stage 2 - monetary; property; and divorce issues. If the complaint does not include a request for divorce, the case terminates at the conclusion of Stage 1. Bifurcating the Track 3 cases allows for matters involving custody of the child(ren) to be resolved first. |
| 4/1F1J | Complex custody; financial; business; and/or property issues; referred to as the "Judge Track" - oversight by a particular Family Division Judge. Includes protracted litigation cases filed prior to November 4; 1998 and older cases reopened for modification; as well as CINA cases; contested adoption matters; and guardianship cases. |
| Juvenile Track | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | Peace Order |
| 1 | Delinquent Detention |
| 2 | Delinquent Non-Detention |
| 3 | Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) Shelter |
| 4 | CINA Non-Shelter |
| 9 | Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) |
| 10 | Adoption |
| 11 | Voluntary Placement |
