MEMORANDUM

TO: ALL CRIMINAL PRACTITIONERS

FROM: GENERAL DISTRICT COURT JUDGES

DATE: JULY 26, 2024

RE: CHANGES TO PROCEDURES

Starting on August 5, 2024, all in-custody defendants will be brought to court. As is the case currently, we will work to get the bond motions heard first to enable attorneys to get to other court assignments.

In conjunction with the Circuit Court, we have instituted a new procedure for waivers of preliminary hearings. In most cases, we have seen that a plea agreement has been reached prior to the waiver. To obviate the need for attorney and client to appear at case setting, we will set a Circuit Court plea date in General District Court. The date is to be set no more than 30 days from Term Day/Case setting.

We are also looking at ways we can increase the number of attorneys on our Court Appointed list. We appreciate any thoughts that members of the Criminal Bar would like to share.