Scheduling cases for Central Court shall be the responsibility of each District Court. The schedule shall consist of two "blocks" allotted to all of the four (4) MDJ Courts in Adams County.

Waivers: The majority of cases shall be scheduled in the block starting at approximately 9:15 A.M., to be known as the “waiver block”. To assist with organization of the day, the scheduling of cases may be accomplished by listing “X” number of cases every 15 minutes (said number as determined collectively by the Magisterial District Judges). Defendants and all parties shall be notified to appear 15 minutes prior to the time scheduled for their case. Original notification of the date, time and location of the preliminary hearing shall be provided to the defendant by the originating MDJ office. A centrally located, electronic scheduling template shall be made available to all District Courts and Court Administration for the purpose of schedule creation. Notice shall be sent to the defendant advising “Unless the court receives notice that you are going to request a hearing, any officer, witness and / or victim(s) in the case will not be subpoenaed for the hearing”. The notice to the defendant shall also advise the defendant:

The purpose of a preliminary hearing and meaning of entering a waiver of the preliminary hearing.

If he/she has retained counsel, they must notify their attorney of the hearing notice.

That members of the Adams County District Attorney’s Office will

That

That members of the Adams County District Attorney’s Office will be present during the waiver block to enter into any discussion and / or negotiation of cases with a defense attorney or the unrepresented.

If an agreement

If an

If an agreement cannot be reached amongst the parties, bail will be set and the case will be rescheduled for the following Wednesday at a time to be indicated for a preliminary hearing.

Regardless of whether a defendant intends on seeking a hearing, they must appear at the waiver block unless a defendant represented by counsel requests the matter be listed for hearing without appearing, provided counsel certifies to the MDJ in writing prior to the initially scheduled waiver block that a hearing is necessary. In such instance, the defendant remains obligated to appear at the initially scheduled waiver block until the defendant’s appearance is excused by the Court.

Regardless of whether a defendant int

Regardless of whether a defendant int

Hearings: The “hearing block” shall commence starting at 8:15 AM and will consist primarily of any cases where a preliminary hearing will be held. Each case will be scheduled in 15 minutes. Defendants and all parties shall be notified to appear 15 minutes prior to the time scheduled for their case. Original notification of the date, time and location of the preliminary hearing shall be provided to the defendant by the originating MDJ office.