Trial Dates

If you are reading this post, it is probably because we have received a trial date for your personal injury case. I usually send this link to clients after I talk to them about their trial date. I like to put things in writing so you can always refer to it later if you have a question or want to show someone else (a wife or parent) who is asking about it.

If you are not my client, and you need a Waldorf personal injury attorney, contact us today. And discover everything you need to know with our Free Legal Guide to Car Accident Cases in Maryland. Know your options and be informed before you make big decisions about your accident case.

If I have a formal notice of your trial date it is attached to the email I sent you. If it is coming later in the mail from the court, we will send it when we get it.

For now, the most important thing you can do is put that date on your calendar. Don’t make other plans for that day. This is a major event in your case and you have to be present.

Please arrange to take off work that day. If you need a letter from me to show your boss, please ask me and I will write one. I can also subpoena you if that becomes necessary.

Here is a question everyone has – do I calendar this date in pencil or pen? I know that is an old school reference, but it makes the point. How serious is this date? Will the trial get continued?

The likelihood of this trial date actually happening depends on what court we are in.

District Court Trial Dates

If we are in District Court, you should write that court date on your calendar in pencil. You may be moving it to another date later.

District Court will move a personal injury trial date at the drop of a hat. Any number of things can happen to continue the case. The Court may move it on their own, or the other attorney may file for a continuance.

In District Court cases, the Court sets the trial date before we even serve the summons on the other party. So the other attorney may need a continuance the moment the enter the case.

District Court operates like an airline – they overbook cases hoping things will drop out. Therefore, they are quick to bump your case because they cannot possibly accommodate everything they actually set on one day.

Now if the other side responds and they then move it to a new date, knowing full well that both parties are ready to go – then you can put that date in pen. That is likely to be the date of your actual trail.

We will keep you informed if anything happens to bump your trial date.

Circuit Court Trial Dates

Circuit Court is the exact opposite. They treat that date like a major event. They book the Courtroom and the Judge for the entire day. They call a jury in to hear your personal injury case.

Also, most circuit court dates are set only after the court has a short hearing with the attorneys to clear the date. That cuts way down on someone asking for continuance because they are not ready or out of town or in another trial.

Circuit Court judges do NOT like continuing a trial date in Circuit Court and usually will not unless there is an emergency. If we are in Circuit Court, you should put that date on your calendar in pen.

Conclusion

Either way, please reserve the trial date and do not make any plans.

Please call me if you have any questions or concerns after reading this. We will obviously talk a lot more as the litigation process continues, and as your personal injury trial gets closer.

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Know your options. Be informed. Protect yourself.

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Author: This content was written and approved by Tucker Clagett, an attorney at Southern Maryland Law – Andrews, Bongar, Gormley & Clagett.