LCrRLJ 6.1
       PRE-JURY TRIAL CONFERENCE/READINESS CONFERENCE


6.1(a)    Pre-jury Trial Conference

     In every criminal case in which the defendant has not waived
jury trial, the clerk shall set a pre-jury trial conference to be
held on a date not more than 4 weeks from the date a plea of Not
Guilty is entered.  The purpose of said conference is for the
presentation and setting of motions, for plea negotiations between
the parties, and the setting of a readiness conference and jury
trial date.  Discovery should be completed by the pre-jury trial
conference.  See CrRLJ 3.5, CrRLJ 3.6, and LCrRLJ 8.2 for motions
practice and procedures.

     The defendant and counsel shall be required to attend pre-
trial hearings unless excused by the court.  Failure to attend any
pre-trial hearing may result in the issuance of a bench warrant
and forfeiture of any bail.


6.1(b)    Readiness Conference

     Within seven (7) days prior to an assigned jury trial date,
there shall be held a readiness conference.  At such hearing, it
shall be mandatory that the prosecuting attorney, the defense
counsel, and the defendant be present.  At such hearing, the
following matters will be concluded:


     1.   All plea negotiations.
     2.   Exchange of witness lists.
     3.   Providing of any discovery not previously completed by
          the pre-jury conference.
     4.   Motions on legal issues arising subsequent to the pre-jury
          trial conference or on issues arising due to new evidence.

     At the conclusion of the readiness hearing, the court will no
longer grant any further motions to amend the charges.  Therefore,
the case will be tried by jury, unless waived by the defendant, or
concluded by a guilty plea to all the original charge(s), or a
dismissal of all the charge(s).  A failure of the defendant to be
present at the readiness hearing will result in the issuance of a
bench warrant for failure to appear and the striking of the jury
trial date.  The requirements of this rule can be waived only by
the judge assigned to the case or the Presiding Judge of the
Chelan County District Court.


[Effective September 1, 2006]