Beginning November 16, 2015, the District Court in Kent County will expand its courtroom hours to three days a week. Judges will now be available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays instead of the previous schedule of Tuesdays and Thursdays. This change aims to provide additional court time for peace and protective order hearings and expedite bail review hearings for detained defendants.
The operating hours of the Office of the District Court Clerk will remain Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additionally, District Court commissioners continue to be available around the clock throughout the year. They are authorized to hear petitions for peace and protective orders when both clerks' offices are closed.
"The expanded courtroom hours will help us address the county’s caseload more effectively and make sure people who need to appear before a judge, say for bail review hearings, can do so in a more timely way," stated Judge Bonnie G. Schneider, Administrative Judge for District 3.
Judge Schneider further acknowledged collaboration with justice partners such as the State’s Attorney, Public Defender, Kent County Sheriff, various police departments including state and local agencies as well as the Department of Natural Resources police departments. She also mentioned cooperation with the Maryland Department of Parole and Probation office in implementing this schedule change.
"We thank them for their help to better serve Kent County," added Judge Schneider.